The Meaning of the White Rose

What is the meaning of the white rose? It's a flower that has a shifting history of symbolism that reaches back to the Greeks.

The Meaning of the White Rose
The ancient Greek gods and goddesses were not always virtuous. In fact, many were not only cruel, they were also murderous. This is displayed nicely in the myth that tells of the creation of white roses. This myth also chronicles the birth of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. Ouranus was the father of the sky. One of his sons was Chronos, a Titan, who Ouranus, because of his hatred for his son, imprisoned inside of the earth. Gaia was the great goddess of the earth the mother of Chronos. Armed with a sickle Gaia created, Chronos attacked Ouranus and cut off his father's genitals. His testicles fell into the sea. As a result, Aphrodite emerged from the waters in sea foam. When the sea foam touched the earth, white roses appeared.

The ancient Romans adapted many of the Greek gods and goddesses to their own mythology. Aphrodite eventually became the Roman goddess Venus. A Roman white rose creation myth also includes Venus, who was in love with Adonis. When Adonis died, Venus cried for her lost beloved. Her tears led to white roses.

Another Roman myth involves Flora, the goddess of flowers. One day, Flora found the body of an innocent young woman. The goddess was so struck by this woman's death that she turned the woman's body into a white rose as a testament to purity.

During Christian times, white roses were connected with the Virgin Mary. You will often see Mary depicted in artwork with white roses, a symbol of the Virgin's pureness.

Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, (1819-1901) made fashion statements that continue to be influential today. Queen Victoria was the first woman to carry a bouquet of flowers when she was wed. She also changed fashion by wearing a white wedding dress. Today, white roses at weddings continue to indicate purity and virginity.

White roses are not only used at weddings, they are used at funerals. In this context, white roses represent honor and reverence for the person that has passed away.

White rose buds have a different meaning than white roses. White buds represent the innocence of young girls.What is the meaning of the white rose? It's a flower that has a shifting history of symbolism that reaches back to the Greeks.

The Meaning of the White Rose
The ancient Greek gods and goddesses were not always virtuous. In fact, many were not only cruel, they were also murderous. This is displayed nicely in the myth that tells of the creation of white roses. This myth also chronicles the birth of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. Ouranus was the father of the sky. One of his sons was Chronos, a Titan, who Ouranus, because of his hatred for his son, imprisoned inside of the earth. Gaia was the great goddess of the earth the mother of Chronos. Armed with a sickle Gaia created, Chronos attacked Ouranus and cut off his father's genitals. His testicles fell into the sea. As a result, Aphrodite emerged from the waters in sea foam. When the sea foam touched the earth, white roses appeared.

The ancient Romans adapted many of the Greek gods and goddesses to their own mythology. Aphrodite eventually became the Roman goddess Venus. A Roman white rose creation myth also includes Venus, who was in love with Adonis. When Adonis died, Venus cried for her lost beloved. Her tears led to white roses.

Another Roman myth involves Flora, the goddess of flowers. One day, Flora found the body of an innocent young woman. The goddess was so struck by this woman's death that she turned the woman's body into a white rose as a testament to purity.

During Christian times, white roses were connected with the Virgin Mary. You will often see Mary depicted in artwork with white roses, a symbol of the Virgin's pureness.

Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, (1819-1901) made fashion statements that continue to be influential today. Queen Victoria was the first woman to carry a bouquet of flowers when she was wed. She also changed fashion by wearing a white wedding dress. Today, white roses at weddings continue to indicate purity and virginity.

White roses are not only used at weddings, they are used at funerals. In this context, white roses represent honor and reverence for the person that has passed away.

White rose buds have a different meaning than white roses. White buds represent the innocence of young girls.