Red rose: An iconic symbol of love and beauty

07 February, 2013

Although a red rose symbolizes many things, but it is perhaps best known as a symbol of romantic love and women's beauty. Many cultural traditions, popular literature and festivals have made the red rose an iconic symbol of beauty, courage, passion and romance.

Red roses never existed in nature; it was in the 1800s, the red rose was created by the scientific process of hybridization by crossing the wild rose of China with established varieties of pink roses to create the modern red rose.

The red rose took the fancy of people from all walks of life and was romanticized so much that it even earned the title “the lover’s rose.” The red rose has played a variety of roles in art and literature, and is linked with beauty and delicacy.

The famous poem “The Red Rose” by Robert Burns popularized red rose as symbolism of love and loveliness. It is interesting to note that red rose, as a symbol of beauty, caught the imagination of people across cultures and religions to become universal symbol of love.

With the popularity of Valentine’s Day, red roses are usually given as a present to loved ones or as a romantic gesture. Also, red roses are commonly used in bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations at many festive occasions.

Deep red roses are usually associated with love, bright red with passion and cardinal red roses with desire. A few people also associate red rose with courage, strength, and creativity.

February 7 is celebrated as the Red Rose Day to mark the beginning of Valentine’s Week.