Purple Roses – Meaning and Symbolism
Purple roses combine beauty with mystery, making them a unique choice for special occasions. These flowers stand out among other rose colors because of their royal connections and spiritual meanings.
While not as common as red or pink roses, purple roses have become increasingly popular for their striking looks and special meaning.
What is the purple rose?
Purple roses are hybrid flowers created by rose breeders. They come in different shades, from light lavender to deep purple, and share the same shape as other roses with layered petals forming a round bloom.
These flowers typically grow to about 3-4 inches wide on bushes that reach 3-6 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Unlike some other rose colors that occur naturally, purple roses are the result of careful breeding programs that began in the early 20th century.
The meaning and symbolism of purple roses
Purple roses are linked to royalty, luxury, and success. This connection comes from history, when purple dye was very rare and expensive, making it available only to wealthy people and royalty.
Today, purple roses mean different things depending on how they’re used:
- Success and achievement
- Respect and admiration
- Mystery and charm
- Spiritual connections
- Royal status
- Wealth and luxury
They’re often picked by people who want to show deep respect or mark an important achievement. In some spiritual practices, purple roses are thought to help with meditation and inner peace.
When to give purple roses as gifts
Purple roses work well for many occasions:
- Celebrating big accomplishments at work
- Marking important anniversaries
- Showing respect to someone you admire
- Graduation ceremonies
- Business success celebrations
- Recognition of leadership
- Spiritual or religious events
- Showing support for creative achievements
Other rose colors and their unique meanings
Blue rose meaning
Blue roses symbolize mystery, achieving the impossible, and the mysterious unknown. They represent both the yearning for the unattainable and the magical aspect of making dreams come true.
Red rose meaning
Red roses are the ultimate symbol of passionate love and deep romantic desire. They convey profound emotions and unwavering devotion.
Pink rose meaning
Pink roses symbolize gentle love, admiration, and joy. They represent grace, sweetness, and the more tender aspects of love.
White rose meaning
White roses represent purity, innocence, and new beginnings. They symbolize spiritual love, secret devotion, and reverence.
Yellow rose meaning
Yellow roses symbolize friendship, joy, and warm affection. They represent platonic love and the brightness of pure happiness.
Orange rose meaning
Orange roses convey enthusiasm, passion, and fascination. They represent the bridge between friendship and romantic love.
Lavender rose meaning
Lavender roses symbolize enchantment, wonder, and love at first sight. They represent the magical aspects of romance.
Black rose meaning
Black roses (deep dark red) symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, and dramatic change. They can also represent deep passion and profound transitions.
Burgundy rose meaning
Burgundy roses represent deep passion and unconscious beauty. They symbolize a love that has yet to be discovered.
History behind purple roses
Purple roses became possible in the early 1900s through new breeding techniques. Before this, purple wasn’t a natural rose color.
The development of purple roses marked a big step forward in rose breeding, showing what was possible with careful plant science.
Today, most purple roses are grown in specialized facilities in Ecuador and Colombia, where the climate and altitude help create the best color. The Netherlands also produces many purple roses in greenhouses, especially for the European market.
Purple roses in popular culture and gardens
Purple roses add a special touch to gardens, often used as statement plants in formal layouts or mixed with white flowers for contrast. They’re popular in modern garden designs, especially in areas meant for relaxation or meditation.
While we don’t cover growing instructions here, you can learn more about caring for purple roses at GardenDesign.com.
These roses often show up in art and design, especially in luxury branding and high-end events. They’re popular in wedding planning, particularly for fall weddings or ceremonies with royal themes.
Some churches and spiritual centers use purple roses during important religious celebrations, matching the color’s traditional connection to spiritual matters.
Final thoughts on the purple rose flower meaning
Purple roses offer a different way to send messages with flowers. They’re not as common as other roses, which makes them more special when given as gifts.
Whether used to show respect, celebrate success, or add beauty to a garden, purple roses continue to be a meaningful choice for people looking for something different from traditional rose colors.