What does a rose symbolize in Christianity?
Roses (Rosa spp.)
Red roses symbolized the shedding of Christ's blood, and sometimes referenced the charity of the Virgin Mary. White roses evoked the chastity of the Virgin, who was known as the “rose without thorns.” Many individual saints also had an association with roses in Renaissance Europe.
According to Ambrose, the Virgin Mary is “the rose without thorns”: born free of Original Sin, she was free of the thorns — the sins — that had pricked humankind since Eve ate from the apple.
Biblical origins
The name "Rose of Sharon" first appears in Hebrew in the Tanakh. In the Shir Hashirim ('Song of Songs' or 'Song of Solomon') 2:1, the speaker (the beloved) says "I am the rose of Sharon, a rose of the valley".
In a Greek myth, the rose was created by the goddess of flowers, Chloris. One day, she found the lifeless body of a nymph in the woods and she turned her into a flower.
Why do roses have 'thorns'? Plants have thorns to deter herbivores (animals that eat plants) from eating the leaves that the plant put so much energy into making. This type of defense is known as physical defense, because the plant physically defends against herbivores by poking them.
Mary is one of the oldest and most classic names, and it has roots in Hebrew; of course, Mary appears in the Bible both in Mary, mother of Christ, and Mary Magdalene. Name meanings include "bitter," "wished-for child," and "rebellion."
The Roman Catholic Church, never one to scrimp on symbolism, adopted the white lily (later known as the Madonna lily) as a symbol for the Virgin Mary—its whiteness symbolizing Mary's purity, innocence, fertility, and connection to the divine.
The lily of the valley was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary's Immaculate Conception and represented the purity of body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.
A Marian Cross is a term to describe a symbolic representation of the close connection of Mary, with the redemptive mission of Jesus. The letter "M" below the cross indicates Mary's presence at the foot of the cross.
The Fleur-de-lys is a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary because it resembles both the Iris and the Madonna Lily. The Fleur-de-lys to the right is the more ornate form, and also symbolizes the Lady's Slipper flower [page 2].
Who rose to heaven in the Bible?
Sacred Scripture teaches that Enoch and Elijah were assumed into heaven while still alive and not experiencing physical death.
The association of rose with love is also a concept passed on from myths that relate how the name of Eros, the God of Love, can be rearranged to form the word 'rose'. In early Christian times, rose was often associated with the Virgin Mary's virtue.
“Peace be unto you,” He said. “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:36, 39).
In Christian symbolism, the RED rose stands for the blood shed by Jesus on the CROSS; it has also become a symbol for earthly love, a tradition which continues today. The rose may represent the Virgin Mary, and thus virginity, or fertility and passion.
In Ancient mythology the Rose is a powerful symbol of love and adoration. It is strongly associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, who is often portrayed with a crown of roses around her head. In addition, the Rose is a symbolic carrier of secrets.
The flower of god is Dianthus caryophyllus or Carnation . The name is a fusion of the Greek words "dios" and "anthos." The Greek god Zeus is depicted by "dios," and "anthos" means flower. That's why the Carnation is recognized as “God's Flower.”
The Rose is mentioned in the Bible 48 times and is translated from English to Hebrew as 'Chabatsteleth', which means 'red' and 'bulb'. Jesus illustrates the rose for its rarity, beauty, and sweet, wonderful fragrance. Its fragrant flowers include a crown in the center, just like Jesus Christ.
The main flower that is primarily used a lot in the Christian religion is the passion flower. A reminder of Jesus' scourging, crucifixion and resurrection with each part of the flower representing a different aspect of the Passion of Christ.
Roses are most commonly associated with love and romance. Roses can also mean secrecy or confidentiality. The term “sub rosa”, meaning under the rose, comes from ancient times.
Roses represent the Virgin Mary
Roses were associated with Mary from early times. The thirteenth century Saint Dominic is credited with spreading the familiar devotion called the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a series of prayers to Our Lady, symbolised by garlands of roses worn in Heaven.