The color you choose may have a much to do with the reason for getting the rose tattoo. Of course, tattoo lovers are free to select any color they desire, no matter its purpose.
The rose fascinated the Victorians and, as a result, they assigned different emotional qualities and meanings to different color variations. These colors are generally taken under consideration when choosing a rose tattoo design.
- Red – True love (particularly when presented as a single rose), passion, and saying “I love you,” romantic love, and respect.
- Pink – Grace, elegance, gentleness.
- Coral – desire.
- Orange – Enthusiasm, excitement, and fascination.
- Light Peach – modesty and friendship.
- Yellow – Jealousy (historically). Familiar love, friendship, gladness, joy, and devotion (modern times).
- White – Purity, innocence, spiritual love, youth, and secrecy.
- Blue – Fascination, fantasy, impossibility (largely because the blue rose does not really exist – all “blue” roses are really lavender or white roses that have been dyed).
- Purple – Enchantment and love at first sight.
- Black – Death and darkness (black roses in nature are really deep purple).
- Red and White Combined – Mercy, unity, and justice.
- Red and Yellow Combined – Congratulations
- Yellow and Orange Combined – Passionate thoughts.
The History of the Rose
The Rose has the same symbolic meaning as the Lotus does in the East: love, particularly love that is pure. The Ancient Greeks believed the rose was originally white in color. It turned to red when the goddess of love, Aphrodite, pricked herself with one of its thorns and bled on the blossoms.
The actual plant was first grown in ancient Persia. At this time, it was looked upon as a masculine flower. Over the next several thousand years, the rose was cultivated into many different varieties. As a result, it is now more closely linked to femininity and beauty. Nonetheless, variations of the rose tattoo are found on nearly as many men as women. In fact, the rose tattoo was once a popular choice amongst sailors in the 40s, who got one of these tattoos as a way of honoring their wife or girlfriend they left behind at home. At the same time, it was viewed as a suitable tattoo choice for women.
The Rose Tattoo and Beauty
The most common meaning behind the rose tattoo is the representation of beauty. Many rose tattoo lovers believe the rose represents both inner and outer beauty. When thorns are present on the image, it means the person does not place a great deal of emphasis on outer beauty. For others, the rose image refers to everlasting beauty, with the thorn meaning you can look but you can’t touch.
The Rose Tattoo and Love
The rose tattoo is also closely linked to love. It can be a symbol of being in love when the rose is without thorns. Or, the thorned rose can be a reminder that love should be entered into with caution because you may be “pricked” by the thorns. The thorned rose tattoo serves as a reminder that love does not come without certain sacrifices. As such, caution should be used when falling in love. The thorned rose tattoo means love is not without its risks and that ecstasy will not come without enduring a certain amount of agony.
