What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word rose? A picture of a red flower comes to mind, right? This is because roses are indeed red. But what is a blue rose? And does it really exist? Find out here.

The Truth About the Blue Rose

There are over 3,000 breeds of roses today, and it’s easy to think that there will be a blue rose out of all the breeds out there. The truth is, there is no blue rose. Instead, it’s actually the delphinidin, a pigment that makes flowers blue that aren’t present in the roses. 

Despite this, many seek the blue rose due to how it's been depicted in art and legends. This can be attributed to the fact that, in the past, roses were considered to have been the favorite flower of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. 

In art and literature, it was portrayed that when Aphrodite was born from the waves, she was born with a blue rose in her hand. 

In fables, the blue rose was said to be a representation of love’s divine power.

The Blue Rose in Art and History

The blue rose has long been idolized with how often roses are used as symbols of love in art and history. Some of the first known mentions of the blue rose are in the writings of the Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder.

The blue rose is symbolic of a couple of things. It is said to represent the unattainable, which may be why some, desperate for love, seek the blue rose.

The Blue Rose in Literature

When you think of roses, you think of beauty and love, and writers also capitalize on this. The blue rose has been used to represent everything from the impossible to the unobtainable.

In the 1898 Russian fairy tale opera Sadko, the mythical blue rose was mentioned. Another piece where the rose was depicted was in Arabian Nights. Here, magicians turned roses blue.

Although “fictional,” the blue rose can also be read in written historical accounts. Ibn el-Awam, a 13th-century Arabian botanist, wrote that he has blue roses in his garden. However, the accuracy of this blue rose account is up for debate. Modern scholars believe that Ibn el-Awam might be referring to Hibiscus Syriacus, which closely resembles the elusive blue rose.

Myths of the Blue Rose

There are a lot of myths surrounding the blue rose. These are the most common:

• It’s the blue rose that unites lovers who have been separated. The color of the rose represents the strength of the love that would bring the lovers together again.
• It’s the blue rose that makes the heart grow fonder. This rose has a magical spell on it, making it shine with a blue light that is visible from afar. When that light is seen, the lover will long for their love even more.
• It’s the blue rose that makes the soul sweeter. It symbolizes how love is a sweet thing, and how it makes it better for one to talk to their loved ones.

Get a Blue Rose

While the blue rose does not exist, there are ways to make your rose blue. It is possible by dyeing the flowers. You can just buy a blue rose instead of waiting for one to happen.

Are you looking for blue and white roses in Bangkok and Phuket? April Flora is one of the best flower deliveries in the area. Get in touch with us today!