Pink Roses: Meanings, Symbolism, and Folklore (2024)

In the language of flowers, pink roses symbolize blossoming and tentative romantic feelings or first love in some cultures. Historically, they’ve also carried meanings associated with success and confidence. What’s more, pink roses have played a prominent role in Greek mythology and folklore dating back to Ancient Rome. Join me as I explore the rich symbolic meaning of pink roses and their cultural significance around the world.

About Pink Rose Flowers

Roses can vary significantly in size and botanical features, including all the pink varieties. Some are only a few inches tall or climb on spiny vines, while others grow upright and produce blooms as big as softballs. There are even single-layered old-fashioned Pink Roses for a peony-style look.

There are Pink Rose varieties native to almost every part of the world that has a temperate climate and some tropical and arid areas. Choosing a type native to your location makes them easier to grow, but there is a wide range of varieties sold as cut flowers for adding spice and texture to a floral arrangement.

Pink varieties of roses tend to grow in that color naturally rather than need dyeing, including some multi-colored and striped varieties. In my experience, open and single-layered roses often feature a white or yellow center that contrasts against the pink colors of the petals.

The General Meaning of Pink in Floral Arrangements

There’s a whole world of meaning to explore when it comes to pink poses, starting with their color and ending with their use as a tattoo symbol.

Pink flowers are a popular color for floral arrangements with a positive or playful message. In color theory, it’s believed to represent femininity, softness, playfulness, joy, and pleasant emotions. For flowers specifically, pink is considered to symbolize:

• Youthfulness
• Friendship
• Blossoming romantic interest
• Happiness and joy
• Gentleness
• New and developing relationships
• Hope
• Positive feelings.

Greek and Roman Myths for the Pink Rose

In Greek mythology, Roses, in general, were created by the sea foam that splashed on the shore when Aphrodite was born from the sea.

Pink Roses, in particular, have their own unique story in the myths of Roman culture. Rhodanthe was a beautiful woman with too many suitors, and she fled into the temple of Diana, looking for safety. The goddess turned her into a Pink Rose, and the suitors pursued her into the thorns of the plant.

These stories helped associate this bloom with attraction and potential romantic entanglement.

Christianity and Pink Roses

Roses are sometimes associated with the blood of Christ in Christianity. Some myths say the Rose was originally white and turned red after the blood dripped on them during the crucifixion.

The particular variety of roses associated with this belief is the Moss Rose or Portulaca grandiflora. It comes in many intense pink varieties and standard white and red types.

Pink Rose Meaning in Floriography

Roses were widely cultivated in Victorian England, both species native to Europe and imported types from around the world. This meant that not only did the plant have a general association with romance in the culture, but each color had its own meaning in the Language of Flowers.

The Pink Rose was considered a sign of first love or budding feelings for someone. It was also a symbol of innocence, childhood, and healing from illness.

What’s more, pink roses were often used as decorations on romantic gifts or early cards for Valentine’s Day, more often than Red Roses during this era.

Hanakotoba and Pink Roses

Pink Roses get their own separate meaning in the Hanakotoba or Japanese Language of Flowers. They’re known in Japanese as Momirobara.

In this culture, they don’t carry any romantic or related meanings. Instead, you give them to wish for happiness or to express a deep trust in someone you know.

It’s a good choice for sending to friends or family members who have supported you or need your support. Sending Pink Roses in Japan can also signal you have confidence that someone will succeed.

Pink Rose as a Birth Flower

The Pink Rose is the birth flower of the month of June. This lends it a playful and warm meaning due to its association with the beginning of summer.

Many pink varieties of the Rose also begin to bloom around May or June, making it a botanical association as well.

National Flower of the United States

Roses are considered the official National Flower of the United States. This includes Pink Roses and all the other colors available. The Rose is also the state flower of New York, with no particular focus on pink blossoms but not excluding them either.

As state flowers, both North Dakota and Iowa consider the wild Prarie Rose their state flower. This is a dusty Pink Rose with a charming appearance and scent.

National Flower of the Republic of Maldives

A variety of the Pink Rose, also known as Rosa polyantha, is the National Flower of the Republic of Maldives. It’s not native to the islands, but it is one of the few true Rosa species that can grow in the warm conditions and sandy soil there.

The bright pink color is considered a sign of the hope and resilience of the people living there and can be spotted in gardens throughout the islands.

Meaning of Pink Rose Tattoos

Pink Roses are popular as a tattoo today, as are many other flowers. Most people who seek out floral tattoos are interested in a feminine design that carries its own symbolism and meaning.

The Pink Rose is often used to commemorate a first love or a lost love that was only just developing. Some people also use them to remember children or young people in their family who passed away before reaching adulthood.

For others, Pink Rose tattoos help remind them of caring female family members like a mother or grandmother who raised roses.

Suitable Gifting Occasions for Pink Roses

In Japan, Pink Roses are commonly gifted to others to congratulate them for success or to communicate that you are confident in their success.

In Western cultures, Pink Roses are often gifted to romantic prospects or partners who have only recently started a relationship. Sometimes, these Roses are included in bouquets for young children or women of any age due to their connection with youthfulness and femininity.

Some people use them as gifts to symbolize friendship, contrasting with the romantic associations with Red Roses.

Pink Rose Flower FAQs:

The Final Word

Pink Roses can be romantic, but more often than not, they symbolize general positivity and happiness. They’re even considered a good luck charm by some. Consider the background and culture of the person to whom you want to send a Pink Rose to determine what kind of symbolism they might read into it.

For more, see our in-depth guide to the best types of native North American roses.