The Secret Language & Timeless Beauty of Roses: Meanings, History & Modern Rituals

For thousands of years, roses have been more than just flowers—they’ve been whispered love notes, symbols of beauty, tools of self-care, and even spiritual allies. At The Boho Depot, our Rose Collection is inspired by this rich legacy, featuring rose-scented candles, botanical skincare, floral jewelry, and romantic home accents to bring a little petal-powered luxury into your everyday life.

Let’s wander through history’s gardens, decode the secret language of rose colors, and explore how to bring this timeless bloom (and its crystal cousin, rose quartz) into modern boho rituals—complete with a curated rose-inspired playlist for the perfect vibe.

A Rose Through Time: History in Beauty & Wellness

From Cleopatra’s rose-filled palace to the Victorian’s secret floral messages, roses have been treasured across the ages.

Ancient Egypt

Cleopatra famously filled her palace with rose petals to seduce Marc Antony. Egyptians also infused rose oil into balms to hydrate skin in the desert heat—proving that roses have been a beauty essential for thousands of years.

Ancient Greece & Rome

Roses crowned banquets, perfumed public baths, and were believed to restore joy. Roman elites often soaked in rosewater baths to refresh both body and spirit.

Middle Ages & Renaissance

Beyond beauty, roses were used medicinally to soothe the skin, aid digestion, and calm the nerves. The phrase sub rosa (“under the rose”) meant confidentiality—rose decor was often carved above meeting tables to remind participants to keep discussions private.

The Victorian Era

The 1800s saw the rise of floriography, the art of sending coded messages through flowers. Roses became a romantic language all their own—each color carrying a meaning still cherished today.

Fun Rose Facts to Love

• Fossil evidence shows roses have been around for at least 35 million years.
• The world’s oldest living rose bush in Hildesheim, Germany, has been blooming for over 1,000 years.
• It takes about 60,000 roses to create just 1 ounce of rose essential oil.
• Roses have even been to space—NASA studied their scent in zero gravity in 1998.
• Rose hips (the fruit of the rose) are edible, rich in vitamin C, and often used in tea and skincare.

The Secret Language of Roses: Color Meanings & Symbolism

❤️ Red Roses – Love, passion, romance
🤍 White Roses – Purity, innocence, new beginnings
💛 Yellow Roses – Friendship, joy, platonic affection
💗 Pink Roses – Gratitude, sweetness, admiration
🧡 Orange Roses – Enthusiasm, fascination, desire
💜 Lavender Roses – Enchantment, mystery, love at first sight
🌹 Mixed Bouquets – Complex, layered emotions

Rose Quartz: The Crystal Cousin of the Rose

Just as roses are symbols of love and beauty, Rose Quartz is known as the Stone of Unconditional Love. Together, they make a powerful pair for the heart and spirit.

• Emotional Healing: Rose quartz is linked to the heart chakra, helping release stress and invite compassion.
• Ancient Beauty Rituals: Egyptians and Romans used rose quartz in facial masks to promote glowing skin.
• Modern Boho Tip: Keep rose quartz by your vanity or bathtub to amplify your self-care ritual—especially when paired with rose-scented candles or bath soaks.

How to Use Rose Symbolism in Gifting

When you match the rose’s meaning to the occasion, the gift becomes even more special:

• Romance: Red rose candle + rose quartz necklace.
• Friendship: Yellow rose dried floral decor.
• Gratitude: Pink rose botanical bath soak with a handwritten note.
• New Beginnings: White rose incense or dried floral garland for blessing a home.

Find the perfect match in our Rose Collection.

Roses in Modern Boho Rituals

• Skincare: Rosewater mists and balms hydrate, tone, and refresh the skin.
• Home Fragrance: Rose-scented candles and incense create a serene, heart-centered atmosphere.
• Jewelry: Rose motifs or rose quartz jewelry connect you with loving energy.
• Decor: Dried rose garlands, pressed flower frames, and rose-hued textiles add romance to your home.
• Bath Rituals: Add fresh or dried petals, rose oil, and a rose quartz palm stone to your bath for the ultimate self-love soak.

Cultural Rose Symbolism Around the World

• Persia: Roses have symbolized divine beauty and love in Persian poetry for over a millennium.
• Hindu Tradition: The goddess Lakshmi is said to have emerged from rose petals.
• England: The rose is the national flower, representing the Tudor dynasty.
• United States: The rose became the national floral emblem in 1986.

The Grateful Dead & Roses: A Love Story in Music & Imagery

The Grateful Dead and roses are practically inseparable in the band’s art and sound. It all began with the “Skeleton and Roses” poster from 1966, created by Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley, adapted from a 1913 illustration by Edmund Joseph Sullivan. The skeleton crowned in roses became one of the Dead’s most iconic symbols—blending themes of beauty, impermanence, and rebirth.

Roses also wind through their lyrics:

• It Must Have Been the Roses – nostalgic and tender.
• Ramble on Rose – whimsical, surreal storytelling with a floral twist.

For Deadheads, the rose isn’t just a bloom—it’s a symbol of life’s fleeting beauty, the joy of the moment, and the harmony of opposites. 

Rosy Tunes: A Playlist to Pair With Your Rose Rituals 🎶🌹

Set the mood for your rose-inspired rituals with a soundtrack as romantic, whimsical, and timeless as the bloom itself.

Grateful Dead Picks:

• It Must Have Been the Roses
• Ramble on Rose

Other Boho & Rose-Inspired Tracks:

• Kiss from a Rose – Seal
• La Vie en Rose – Edith Piaf / Louis Armstrong
• Rose Rouge – St. Germain
• Rose Garden – Lynn Anderson
• The Rose – Bette Midler
• Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
• Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison
• Desert Rose – Sting ft. Cheb Mami
• Roses – OutKast
• Where the Wild Roses Grow – Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue

Bring the Rose Into Your Life

From Cleopatra’s chambers to your living room, the rose has always been more than a bloom—it’s a story, a feeling, and a little piece of magic. Whether you’re gifting with intention, decorating with romance, or indulging in a self-care ritual, our Rose Collection is here to help you live life in full bloom.

About The Boho Depot

The Boho Depot is a whimsical, retro-inspired boutique in Winston-Salem, NC, celebrating all things bohemian, eclectic, and magical. We curate unique treasures—from healing crystals and soulful self-care goods to vintage-inspired home decor and statement jewelry—that help you transform your style, balance your spirit, and dream big in your space. Whether you’re visiting in-store or shopping online, our mission is to help you fill your life with beauty, meaning, and joy.

🛒 Explore Our Other Floral Inspired Gifts Here