Black roses are intense and captivating, cloaked in mystery and the macabre! Their striking, velvety petals express a range of meanings, from love beyond the grave, to bitter animosity and hatred. Black roses are both enigmatic and iconic. In this article, we’ll explore the history and symbolism of these dark and sensual flowers.
Contents
- Black roses meaning
- Top 10 black rose meanings
- Black roses spiritual meaning
- Are black roses real?
- How are black roses made?
- Black roses history
- Black roses in other cultures and countries
- Black roses in art and literature
- Black roses as a gift
- Black roses in relationships
- Black roses meaning in friendships
- Events or occasions for black roses
- Black roses at weddings
- Black roses at funerals
- Are black roses more expensive than other rose colors?
- Black roses meaning when combined with other colors
- Black rose tattoo
- What are some black rose varieties?
- Conclusion
Black roses meaning
Black roses symbolize death, grief, farewell, danger, revenge, hatred, unrequited love, mystery, subversion, resistance, rebellion, and the dark side of desire and passion.
Black roses signify opposition or duality – a representation of good and evil – and a reminder to always keep yourself balanced.
On the brighter side, they also represent strength, courage, rebirth, growth, embracing change, entering a new chapter in life, and the promise of a better future.
Top 10 black rose meanings
- Death
- Farewell
- Danger
- Revenge
- Hatred
- Unrequited love
- Mystery
- Resistance
- Elegance
- Courage
Black roses spiritual meaning
The spiritual meaning of Black roses is death, transformation and rebirth.
In spirituality, black roses represent transformation and rebirth, acting as powerful markers for spiritual awakening and the shedding of outdated beliefs. Black roses invite introspection and the exploration of the shadow self, encouraging you to confront and integrate all facets of your being, including those that might be hidden or rejected.
Black roses are also seen as protective symbols, believed to absorb negative energies and provide a spiritual shield. Additionally, they signify deep, transformative spiritual knowledge and a journey into the unknown.
This rich symbolism makes the black rose a unique emblem of spiritual evolution, protection, and discovery.
Are black roses real?
Yes, and no. Natural “real” black roses appear black, but they are usually a deep red. Burgundies and deep purples are other shades close to black, but none are true ebony-colored roses.
If you see black roses that are a true ebony color, they have been dyed or painted. A black dye can be applied to the bushes or the blossom. Encasing the bloom in black wax is another, less common, method.
How are black roses made?
Some varieties are genetically modified or dyed to make them darker. Florists typically use black dye on white roses to achieve that deep dark color. Staining the flower by soaking it in a vase of water and black ink, dipping it in the dye, or spraying it with floral paint are all methods to achieve a black rose.
A unique process of burning is another way to blacken a rose.
There are some rose species now that have black-edged petals. These rose species were created by hand-pollinating extremely dark red roses like Dark Jade and Black Baccara.
Black roses history
In Ancient Greece and Rome, black roses represented death and tragic love. The ancient Romans associated black roses with black magic, with some believing one black rose held enough power to turn bad luck into good – or good luck into something awful. Black roses also symbolized power and strength in warriors on the battlefield.
Written in the 16th century, “Little Dark Rose” (translated from “Róisín Dubh”) is one of Ireland’s most famous political songs, standing for rebellion and strength. Irish warriors considered the black rose a symbol of rebellion against the British; the Irish black rose against the staunch British red rose.
Legend has it that in the early 20th century, the Sicilian mafia would send a single black rose as an omen for murder soon to occur. It was a coded message, only to be understood by other mafia members.
The black rose became a symbol of anarchy in the 1970s. At that time, “Black Rose” was a journal of anarchist ideas. Black Rose then became the name of an anarchist lectures series that continued into the 1990s, and the Black Rose Anarchist Federation was founded in the U.S. in 2014. Black Rose Publishing is also an anarchist publishing company in Montreal, Canada.
In 2013, rumors spread across the internet claiming the only genuinely black roses grow in Halfeti, Turkey. It turned out this was just an effort to drive tourism – the “Kara Gül” rose is actually a deep red color.
Black roses in other cultures and countries
In Western cultures, black roses are often associated with death, mourning, and dark or tragic events. They are commonly seen as symbols of grief, loss, and farewell.
In some Eastern cultures, such as China and Japan, black roses can be associated with mysticism and spirituality.
In Turkey, the “Kara Gül” black rose (mentioned above) is considered a symbol of mystery and enchantment.
In some Middle Eastern cultures, black roses are associated with rebirth, transformation, and new beginnings. They can symbolize the ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger.
Black roses in art and literature
George Braque painted “The Black Rose” in 1927. It is a Cubist still life featuring black roses on a table accompanied by lemons.
The rock band, Thin Lizzy released their album Black Rose in 1979. The iconic cover art by Jim Fitzpatrick features a black rose with drops of blood on it.
Audrey Niffeneger’s 2007 Linocut “Black Roses (In Memory of Isabella Blow)” features a skeleton adorned with black roses.
Rosario Bond’s 2010 artwork “The Black Rose” from her Natura Series, is a giant metal sculpture of a black rose bloom.
Black roses usually represent death or the supernatural in gothic literature;
- In The Vampire Diaries, by Lisa Jane Smith, smelling a black rose allowed a vampire to turn back into a human.
- In Den of Shadows, a fantasy book series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, black roses are the symbol of vampires.
Black roses as a gift
Black roses are great for friends and family who are into the goth subculture, or who appreciate the goth aesthetic
Black roses are an appropriate gift to say farewell to someone or to represent the end of something significant in someone’s life.
Black roses on a loved one’s grave mean eternal love.
A bouquet of black roses for a friend finalizing a divorce shows empathy for the feelings of saying goodbye to such a significant relationship.
Read more about roses as gifts.
Black roses in relationships
Black roses can have entirely different meanings in relationships, representing the depth of eternal love, a new beginning, power, domination, ownership, or obsessive love. They may also have the negative meaning of a love ending, tragic romance, or someone feeling betrayed.
Make sure the receiver understands the message you are sending, or you could have an uncomfortable situation!
Black roses meaning in friendships
Black roses can show a grieving friend support if they have lost a loved one or are going through a difficult time, like a divorce. A gift of black roses to your friend could be an encouraging way to say, “Life may seem terrible right now, but there is still beauty in the world.”
Read more about roses in friendships.
Events or occasions for black roses
Black roses are perfect for Halloween parties, a Day of the Dead party, horror-themed or gothic-themed parties, black-tie affairs, some weddings, and funerals.
Black roses at weddings
Black roses are a popular choice for some modern weddings. They create a feminine, romantic, elegant, mysterious ambience.
Black roses would be the first choice for a couple into the goth subculture, or the goth aesthetic.
Black roses, combined with white roses as a wedding theme, are classic and timeless.
Black roses at funerals
Black roses are a symbol of death and mourning, so they are appropriate flowers to use at a funeral. They express the grief of losing a loved one, yet pay tribute to their beautiful soul.
Are black roses more expensive than other rose colors?
Black roses are typically more expensive than other rose colors.
This is because they are harder to breed, and are either genetically modified or artificially colored. Dyed or painted black roses will cost less than rare and genetically modified ones.
Black roses meaning when combined with other colors
Black roses combined with red roses means courage and bravery on the path forward. Consider them for someone whose about to start a new journey.
Black roses combined with white roses means encouragement for a new and strong beginning. They are a classic and unique choice suitable for a wedding or funeral.
Black rose tattoo
A black rose tattoo represents transformation, strength, rebirth, and renewal. It conveys messages of change, embracing new beginnings and harnessing the power of personal growth. It symbolises the indomitable spirit we all possess, the ability to persevere and flourish in the face of adversity. When someone chooses a black rose tattoo, they are expressing their inner strength and resilience.
A black rose tattoo also embodies courage and hope. Sailors would adorn themselves with these tattoos before embarking on perilous journeys, symbolizing their courage and hope of a safe return home.
Black rose tattoos can also signify grief, loss, sadness, and depression. They serve as poignant memorials, paying tribute to those who have passed away. A black rose tattoo may also represent personal struggles and the overwhelming emotions of the wearer.
What are some black rose varieties?
The following rose varieties are extremely dark red. For a true ebony color white roses need to be dyed.
Black Baccara’ Rose is a 4-inch deep red, nearly black blossom with only a slight nutty fragrance. It’s the darkest-colored rose on the market. This rose is associated with tragedy, death, mourning, forbidden love, and devotion.
The Black Magic Rose is a showy, fragrant dark crimson velvet red rose with magnificent, 4-5 inch blooms. They can be cut in their bud form to give the appearance of black roses. Even the opened roses look nearly black in low lighting.
Popular for weddings and bouquets, Black Beauty is a large, deep burgundy, hybrid tea rose that is only mildly fragrant but is gorgeous. The young buds and the undersides of the petals are a deep velvet, blackish-red color.
Black Cherry Rose is an heirloom rose with 3-4 inch blooms in a deep burgundy red. It can appear cherry red in specific lighting.
Black Jade Rose is a lovely dark red, nearly black miniature rose that turns black in hot and sunny weather. It won the ARS (American Rose Society) for miniature roses in 1985.
The unique Black Velvet Rose is a shrub that only produces one bloom at a time – a massive, semi-double black flower. It has an elegant shape, deep plum color, and a pleasant scent.
Conclusion
Black roses have a rich and fascinating history and they carry a range of meanings from eternal love to impending murder!
With such polarizing meanings, it’s a good idea to only give black roses to someone who understands your intended purpose. They can represent growth, a new chapter in life, the duality of good and evil in oneself, obsessive love, domination, resistance, strength, courage, unrequited love, hatred, death, grief, farewell, danger, and revenge.
You will make a statement with a gift of black roses, one that is sure to be remembered!
Frequently Asked Questions – Meaning of black roses
What do black roses symbolize?
Black roses symbolize death, grief, farewell, danger, revenge, hatred, unrequited love, mystery, subversion, resistance, rebellion, and the dark side of desire and passion. They also represent strength, courage, rebirth, growth, embracing change, entering a new chapter in life, and the promise of a better future.
Are black roses real?
Natural “real” black roses do not exist. Varieties that appear black are usually deep red, burgundy, or deep purple. True ebony-colored roses are dyed or painted.
How are black roses made?
Black roses can be created by dyeing white roses with black dye, staining them with black ink, using floral paint, or through a unique burning process. Some roses have black-edged petals created through hand-pollination.
What is the spiritual meaning of black roses?
Black roses represent death, transformation, rebirth, spiritual awakening, introspection, the exploration of the shadow self, and protection against negative energies. They symbolize deep spiritual knowledge and the journey into the unknown.
What is the history of black roses?
In Ancient Greece and Rome, black roses symbolized death and tragic love. They were associated with black magic in ancient Rome. In Ireland, black roses represented rebellion against the British. The Sicilian mafia used them as a coded message. In the 1970s, black roses became a symbol of anarchy. Myths about black roses in Turkey are untrue.
What do black roses represent in different cultures?
In Western cultures, black roses represent death, mourning, and dark events. In China, Japan, and Turkey, they symbolize mysticism, spirituality, mystery, and enchantment. In some Middle Eastern cultures, they symbolize rebirth, transformation, and overcoming challenges.
When are black roses appropriate as gifts?
Black roses are suitable as gifts for those who appreciate the goth subculture or aesthetic. They can express farewell, eternal love on a grave, or empathy for someone going through a divorce. However, ensure the receiver understands the intended message.
Are black roses more expensive than other rose colors?
Yes, black roses are typically more expensive due to their difficulty in breeding and often being genetically modified or artificially colored. Dyed or painted black roses are usually less expensive.
What do black roses represent when combined with other colors?
Combined with rea, black roses symbolize courage and bravery. Combined with white roses, they represent encouragement for a new and strong beginning.
What does a black rose tattoo represent?
A black rose tattoo represents transformation, strength, rebirth, renewal, and personal growth. It can also symbolize grief, loss, sadness, and depression, serving as a memorial or representing personal struggles.
