THE HISTORY AND SYMBOLISM OF ROSE TATTOOS


Roses are some of the most popular flowers in the world. Examples of roses as symbols can be seen throughout time and across cultures around the globe. The myriad of meanings assigned to roses makes them a common choice for tattoos. Color, thorns, and petal construction impact the meaning of a rose tattoo.


The rose tattoo gained popularity in America in the 1930s, when sailors often had them inked on their bodies as reminders of their wives, girlfriends, and mothers while at sea. This custom evolved into a trend of men getting tattoos of roses with their lover’s name incorporated into the design on their chests. As tattoos became more culturally accepted in the 1960s, both men and women placed their rose tattoos on a variety of visible parts of their bodies. In present day, the connotation of the rose depends on its color and configuration and less on placement on the body.


WHAT DOES YOUR TATTOO MEAN TO YOU? Tattoos are personal expressions of beliefs, values, appreciation, and artistic individuality and mean something different to everyone. With that said, trends in design can be identified and often correspond with an individual’s intention for getting the tattoo.


ANATOMY OF A ROSE GROWTH


The stage of the rose’s life cycle can be used to parallel points in one’s own life or to map certain events. Buds represent new beginnings, youthfulness, or fresh starts. A full bloom symbolizes growth, maturity, and achievement.


DEATH


A wilting flower can signify unrequited love, defeat, loss, or death. Fallen rose petals mean that something has come to an end.


NUMEROLOGY The number of petals or the number of blooms carries its own symbolic meaning.


3: In Freemason symbolism, three roses represent the three guiding principles of love, life, and light. 5: In Christianity, five petals represent the five wounds that Christ incurred on the cross. 7: Seven petals often represent the idea of perfection and balance, which is based on Pythagorean's belief that there are seven directions in space pointing to seven planets. 8: In Renaissance art, a rose with eight petals represents


rebirth


and renewal. THORNS


Thorns in rose tattoos are used to signify an occupied soul. People use thorns to indicate that they are in control of their own fate and are not open to others’ influence. They often signify conviction in one’s own values and resistance to the influence of others.


PERSIA The rose originated in Persia, where it was seen as a masculine symbol.


GREECE In Greek mythology, roses are associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The first white rose sprung forth during her birth. Aphrodite is responsible for staining the roses red when she cut


herself rushing to the aid of her lover. ROME


In Rome, roses are the symbol of Diana, goddess of the hunt, who transformed her lover into a rose. The Romans also used rose products to demonstrate wealth, because the flowers require so


much time and attention. EGYPT


Ancient Egyptians honored the god Isis with roses. ENGLAND


England's national flower is the Tudor rose. In the 15th century, it represented two important families: the Lancasters (represented by the red rose) and the Yorks (represented by the white rose). The War of the Roses occurred between 1455 and 1487 when both of these houses competed with each other to rule England.


CHRISTIANITY In Christianity, the rose is associated with the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. It is from the rose that the rosary gets its name. Red roses are sometimes associated with the blood of Jesus.


TAROT


The rose is considered a symbol of balance. The beauty of this flower expresses promise, hope, and new beginnings. It is contrasted by thorns, which symbolize defense, loss, and thoughtlessness.


THE ROSE TATTOO UPSTAGE GUIDE 17


RED Passion


ROSE COLOR MEANINGS PINK


Elegance/Grace True Love/Romance Passion/Desire


Sacrifice/ Memorial


BLUE Impossibility Fascination Falsehood Virgin Mary/Faith Healing


Femininity/ Motherly Love


First Love


PURPLE Enchantment


Royalty Love at First Sight Wealth


Enthusiasm/ Excitement


Fascination New Beginnings


BLACK Death/Grief


Tragic Love


Completion of an Arduous Journey


Strength


ORANGE YELLOW Energy


Joy Friendship Devotion Jealousy


WHITE Purity


Innocence Virginity Mysticism ROSES AROUND THE WORLD


Roses are widely influential symbols and take on different meanings for different cultures and religions.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24