Black Rose Versus Red Rose

Last night my teenagers asked me if I was a red rose person or a black rose person on Valentine's Day.  This definitely required some discussion because black roses have had different meanings over time.  Supposedly true black roses only found naturally in Tibet.  The roses that we can get are those with deep reds and maroon coloring, but as much as they look black, they are really a shade of red.  More often roses are blackened with ink.  Sometimes they are also charred.

The language of flowers is thought to have originated in Persia and spread to Europe in the 18th Century.  The thought was every flower, color, and number of flower could convey a message and lovers and friends would not have to actually talk, their conversation would occur through the flowers.  (Next time you watch a movie and the characters are handing each other flowers, remember that.)

Red roses have always meant love and respect.  (Different shades could add meaning.) Black rose usually meant death, hatred or farewell.  At one time it was not atypical for men leaving for war to have black roses to give to their loved ones when they didn't think they would return.  It is also common at funerals.  In Gothic writing, especially current writing the black rose can be a symbol for vampires or black magic.  The black rose was also once used as the symbol for anarchy.  Perhaps more famously it was used in the Phantom of the Opera as a symbol of undying love. 

When posed with the question of whether I was a red rose or a black rose person, with the younger generations the idea of the black rose is getting a new meaning.  The question posed was really asking, 'Do I believe in love and romance at Valentine's day, or do I stand in opposition of what the day has come to mean in our consumer society which dictates the candy, hearts, and dinners for two?'  There are movements within the college crowd to make Valentine's Day color black instead of the cheery red in protest.  My answer, I like the multicolored roses for Valentine's day.  They are festive and full of life and celebration.  It makes sense as one of my children was born on that day and we celebrate that instead of Valentine's day. 

So, which are you desire this February, red roses or black?