Meaning of Blue Roses: History and Symbolism - Spectrum of Roses (2024)

In the world of flowers, there is no match to the meaning of blue roses with their mystical allure. With so few plants possessing the color blue, it is natural that people would search high and low to find a rose in this mesmerizing color. Blue roses have become a unique symbol of dreams, hope, and the impossible.Read on to delve deeper into the meaning of blue roses.

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Blue Roses Symbolism

The rarity and uniqueness of blue roses, and their associated meaning, make them a symbol of mystery, admiration, and desire – a nod to the impossible, the elite, and the extraordinary.

Blue roses are also a beacon of hope and a symbol of spiritual longing. They represent the triumph of overcoming obstacles and achieving what seems impossible. They’re a testament to creativity and thoughtfulness, and they’re often associated with fresh starts and new beginnings.

When it comes to love, the meaning of blue roses speaks of unrequited love or a true love that feels just out of reach.

In the language of flowers blue roses are a symbol of dreams coming true. “Love at first sight” is often linked to blue and purple roses.

Light Blue Roses Symbolism

Light blue roses are peace-making flowers. They represent sensitivity and are associated with feelings of peace, calmness, ease, and hope.

Baby blue roses mean trustworthiness and reliability.

Aqua blue roses mean luxury, elegance, wisdom, prosperity, and serenity.

Dark Blue Roses Symbolism

Dark blue roses evoke imagination, mystery, thoughts, and dreams.

Top 10 Meanings of Blue Roses

• Mystery
• The Impossible
• Uniqueness
• Rarity
• Hope
• Desire
• Longing
• Peace
• Dreams
• Secrecy

Are Blue Roses Real?

Roses with a true blue color do not exist in nature. A true blue rose is typically the result of white roses that have been dyed or painted.

The lack of a natural blue rose is due to the rose plant lacking delphinidin, the pigment which makes flowers blue. Scientists have spent decades genetically modifying roses, in an attempt to create real blue roses.

While there are no truly blue-colored roses, several rose species have “blue” in their names.

Spiritual Meaning Of Blue Roses

The spiritual significance of blue roses is unique to a person’s experiences and beliefs. Blue roses connect the physical world to the spiritual world by symbolizing the pursuit of truth, knowledge, divine love, growth, and enlightenment.

If you encounter blue roses in your dreams, it indicates that you are on an important spiritual journey. It may also mean that abundant resources and blessings are in your future.

Blue roses are a sign that you should be yourself and not change for anyone; accept your weaknesses and flaws because they help make you the unique person you are.

A blue rose also represents childbearing. If you’re pregnant and dream about a blue rose in a field, it means you will give birth soon. If the rose is dark blue, the baby will be female. If you don’t have children and are not pregnant, dreaming about blue roses suggests that children are in your near future.

Sometimes blue roses will appear as negative signs in your dreams. A decayed, trampled, or wilted blue rose is bad luck and foretells that something sinister will happen!

History Of Blue Roses

Blue roses were first recorded in the 12th century by Andalusian Arab agriculturist Abu Zakariya Ibn al-Awwam. In his handbook, he wrote about an azure rose in his garden. Some researchers suspect that he was actually referencing the blue ‘Rose of Sharon’. A French translation of his handbook explains that the blue rose was created by introducing blue dye into the root bark of rose flowers.

In horticulture, the blue rose is the “holy grail” of flowers. In 1840, Britain and Belgium’s horticultural societies offered 500000 francs (~$3.5 million USD) to anyone that could produce a rose of true blue color!

In 1990, Australian firm Florigene and the Japanese beverage company Suntory collaborated in their research of blue roses. In 1998 scientists genetically engineered a real blue rose! They announced their success in 2004, naming the rose “APPLAUSE,” meaning “dreams come true”.

While the APPLAUSE blue rose accumulated almost 100% of the transferred blue pigments, it failed to produce a true blue color. Instead, it was more of a lavender shade. Suntory is continuing its goal of creating a rose with a true blue color.

In 2018, researchers used modern biotechnology to inject bacteria into white roses and tint the petals blue. Unfortunately, the color was unstable.

Blue Roses In Chinese Culture

In Chinese culture, blue roses signify good fortune, protection, honesty, and achieving the unattainable.

They also represent hope for unattainable love in folklore. The Princess and The Blue Rose is a well-known Chinese folktale about an emperor seeking a husband for his daughter. Only a man that could gift her a blue rose would be a suitable husband. Everyone failed the task until she met a penniless minstrel, her true love, who then produced a white rose, but because she said the rose was blue, everyone accepted it as blue. The couple married, and they lived happily ever after.

There are many versions of this tale but they all center around the princess waiting for her true love and accepting whatever blue rose he offered.

Blue Roses In Other Cultures And Countries

In many cultures, people connect blue roses to peace and tranquility because the color instills a relaxing and calming feeling.

In the Japanese language of flowers, blue roses mean originality, intrigue, secrecy, and “a dream come true.” Some cultures even say that if someone possesses a blue rose, they will have their wishes granted.

In Europe, blue roses convey endless love, devotion, and faithfulness. They are especially popular in Italy.

In other cultures, the blue rose symbolizes royal blood – because royals are said to have “blue blood”. Monarchs and the aristocracy are associated with blue roses, as only they could afford them.

Blue Roses In Art And Literature

Rudyard Kipling’s 1887 poem Blue Roses describe a man’s search for blue roses for his beloved. The roses are a metaphor for unreachable love and death.

In Tennesse Williams’ 1944 play The Glass Menagerie, a fragile teenage girl, Laura is nicknamed “Blue Roses” by her crush, Jim. It is a mispronunciation of “pleurosis”, the disease she is suffering from. The name “Blue Roses” turns Laura’s defect into an asset: her unusual, otherworldly qualities are seen as special rather than debilitating.

In the 1961 technicolor film, The Thief of Baghdad, the hero goes on a quest for a blue rose that will save the life of a princess.

Songs about blue roses include Jimmy Nail’s “Blue Roses” and Joni Mitchell’s “Roses Blue”.

In George R.R. Martin’s novel series A Song of Ice and Fire (which was turned into The Game of Thrones), winter blue roses are connected to the ill-fated love of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lady Lyanna Stark.

Blue Roses As A Gift

Blue roses are a fantastic gift when you wish to show appreciation for the unique individuality of a special person. It tells the person “You’re unique, special, and one of a kind”. It could be someone you are interested in dating, or a friend or family member.

Blue roses are appropriate for special occasions like birthdays, or if someone is leaving on a long journey.

Deep blue roses are lovely for someone needing clarity or direction.

Light blue roses are perfect for lifting the mood of someone going through a hard time.

Read more about roses as gifts.

Blue Roses In Relationships

Blue roses mean trust, loyalty, and devotion in a relationship. They represent the deep love shared between two people, creating a sense of peace and tranquility within the relationship.

Blue roses signify to your partner “You’re one of a kind”.

Blue Roses Mean In Friendships

Blue roses symbolize eternal friendship and mutual respect. They also represent uniqueness and individuality. Giving a friend blue roses shows that you love them for their complexities and that you value their friendship.

Read more aboutroses in friendships.

Events Or Occasions for Blue Roses?

Birthdays, graduations, welcoming a baby boy, or showing someone how much you care are all wonderful occasions for blue roses.

They also make an excellent gift for creative people, including artists or musicians, at an event where their work is being presented.

Blue Roses At Weddings

Blue roses are a fantastic choice for weddings. They express to the world that the bridal couple is unique.

Blue roses represent deep and long-lasting love, hope, and faith for life’s ups and downs. They evoke mystery and intrigue. Blue roses signify to the world that the love of the betrothed is rare and beautiful.

Blue Roses At Funerals

Roses are one of the most popular flowers for a funeral, and blue roses are one of the most preferred. Some connect the blue color to sadness, but it reflects peace and serenity. This makes it a comforting color in periods of mourning.

Pale blue is an excellent choice for conveying love and sympathy.

How Are Blue Roses Made?

White roses or ivory roses are dyed or painted blue to create a true blue color.

To dye a white rose blue, the rose stem is cut at an angle and placed in blue-tinted water. The rose flower slowly absorbs the dye through the stem, which evenly spreads throughout the petals over several hours.

Another method used is dip-dyeing the flower petals in the pure liquid dye for two seconds, rinsing, air drying, and repeating as many times as needed to achieve the desired depth of blue.

A third method is spray painting the flower petals with blue floral paint. This method can produce vibrant color, but it can be more challenging to get even coloring than dyeing.

A researcher can genetically engineer a white rose into a “blue” rose by taking the pigment delphinidin out of a pansy, and transferring it into the white rose cells. This process produces a rose with three blue gene pigment but is a lavender or mauve-colored flower.

Cost of Blue Roses

Blue roses are more expensive than other rose colors, due to the effort to create them.White roses which have been dyed or painted blue cost more than other roses.Blue roses which have been genetically engineered are more expensive still.

Blue Roses Mean When Combined With Other Rose Colors

• White roses with blue roses represent serenity and beauty.
• Red roses with blue roses mean you have a secret admirer.
• Yellow roses with blue roses express appreciation in a platonic way.
• Pink roses with blue roses show you greatly admire someone.

Blue Rose Tattoos

Blue rose tattoos represent mystery, the allure of the unattainable, uniqueness, fantasy, accomplishing the impossible, and wishful thinking. It reminds the owner that new opportunities and possibilities await. It symbolizes defiance and never giving up on your dreams. It can also signify something magical in one’s life.

Many people get blue rose tattoos in remembrance of someone who has passed on.

Conclusion

The mystery and spiritual attraction of the blue rose has captivated people throughout the ages. A true blue rose cannot exist in nature, and so it has become a metaphor for the impossible, the “Holy Grail” of flowers.

It is only then fitting that the blue rose symbolizes the unattainable. If you wish to express love, devotion, uniqueness, and mystery, then blue roses make an unforgettable gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do blue roses symbolize?

The rarity and uniqueness of blue roses make them a symbol of mystery, admiration, and desire. They represent the impossible, the elite, and the extraordinary. Blue roses also signify hope, spiritual longing, and the triumph of overcoming obstacles. In terms of love, they are associated with unrequited love or a true love that feels just out of reach. They are also connected to dreams coming true and “love at first sight.”

Are blue roses real?

No, true blue roses do not exist in nature. Blue roses are typically the result of white roses that have been dyed or painted. Despite decades of genetic modification attempts, scientists have not yet achieved a true blue rose color. However, several rose species have “blue” in their names.

What is the meaning of light blue roses?

Light blue roses symbolize peace, calmness, ease, and hope. They represent sensitivity, trustworthiness, reliability, luxury, elegance, wisdom, prosperity, and serenity. Light blue roses convey a softer, more sensitive expression of fondness and care.

What is the meaning of dark blue roses?

Dark blue roses evoke imagination, mystery, thoughts, and dreams. They are associated with deep thought and the unknowing mind. Dark blue roses represent a more intense expression of emotions.

What is the spiritual meaning of blue roses?

The spiritual meaning of blue roses varies based on personal experiences and beliefs. Blue roses symbolize the pursuit of truth, knowledge, divine love, growth, and enlightenment. Encountering blue roses in dreams can signify an important spiritual journey, abundant resources, blessings, and potential childbearing. They also represent acceptance of one’s weaknesses and flaws.

What is the history of blue roses?

Blue roses were first mentioned in the 12th century by Andalusian Arab agriculturist Abu Zakariya Ibn al-Awwam. However, true blue roses did not exist. In modern times, scientists have made progress in genetically engineering roses with blue pigments, but a true blue rose has not yet been achieved.

How do blue roses feature in Chinese culture?

In Chinese culture, blue roses symbolize good fortune, protection, honesty, and the achievement of the unattainable. They also represent hope for unattainable love in folklore, as seen in the tale of “The Princess and The Blue Rose.”

What do blue roses mean in other cultures and countries?

In many cultures, blue roses represent peace, tranquility, originality, and intrigue. In Japan, they symbolize secrecy, a dream come true, and the granting of wishes. In the Western world, blue roses convey love. In Europe, they symbolize endless love, devotion, and faithfulness. Blue roses are also associated with royalty in some cultures due to the association of royals with “blue blood.”

How do blue roses feature in art and literature?

Blue roses have been featured in various forms of art and literature as symbols of unreachable love, mystery, and fantasy. They appear in poems, plays, films, songs, and novels, often representing unique and otherworldly qualities.

Who should you give blue roses to as a gift?

Blue roses are a fantastic gift for showing appreciation for the unique individuality of a special person. They are suitable for romantic interests, friends, and family members. Blue roses are appropriate for special occasions like birthdays, farewells, or when someone is going through a hard time.

What do blue roses mean in a relationship?

Blue roses symbolize trust, loyalty, devotion, and deep love in a relationship. They represent the unique and special connection between two people, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.

What do blue roses

mean in a friendship?
Blue roses symbolize eternal friendship, mutual respect, and appreciation for a friend’s complexities. They convey that you value and love your friend for their unique qualities.

On what events or occasions should you use blue roses?

Blue roses are suitable for birthdays, graduations, welcoming a baby boy, and expressing care for someone. They are also fitting for events where the work of creative individuals is being presented, such as artists or musicians.

Should you use blue roses at a wedding?

Yes, blue roses are a fantastic choice for weddings. They symbolize the uniqueness and rarity of the bridal couple’s love. Blue roses represent deep and long-lasting love, hope, and faith in facing life’s ups and downs. They evoke mystery, intrigue, and beauty.

Should you use blue roses at a funeral?

Yes, blue roses are a comforting choice for funeral flowers. They reflect peace, serenity, and calmness, providing solace during periods of mourning. Pale blue roses are particularly appropriate for conveying love and sympathy.

How are blue roses made?

White roses or ivory roses are dyed or painted blue to achieve a true blue color. They can be dyed by placing the rose stem in blue-tinted water or by dip-dyeing the petals in liquid dye. Another method is spray painting the petals with blue floral paint. Genetic engineering has been used to transfer blue pigments from other plants to white roses, resulting in lavender or mauve-colored flowers.

Are blue roses more expensive than other rose colors?

Yes, blue roses are generally more expensive than other rose colors. White roses that have been dyed or painted blue are more costly. Genetically engineered blue roses are even more expensive due to the complexity of the process.

What do blue roses mean when combined with other rose colors?

• White roses with blue roses represent serenity and beauty.
• Red roses with blue roses indicate a secret admirer.
• Yellow roses with blue roses express appreciation in a platonic way.
• Pink roses with blue roses signify admiration for someone.

What does a blue rose tattoo mean?

A blue rose tattoo represents mystery, the allure of the unattainable, uniqueness, fantasy, and wishful thinking. It symbolizes new opportunities, never giving up on dreams, and something magical in one’s life. Many people also get blue rose tattoos in remembrance of someone who has passed away.