Spectrum of Roses

Meaning of Green Roses: History and Symbolism

meaning of green roses, close up photo of a bunch of green roses
Green roses symbolize fertility, growth and life.

Green roses are all about abundance! Their calming color connects to the natural world and evokes a sense of freshness and rebirth. Green roses don’t go as far back in history as other rose species. Still, their story is as unique as the beautiful, uncommon flowers themselves. In this article, we’ll uncover the rich history of the powerful symbolism of this special rose. 


Contents


Green Roses Meaning

Green roses symbolize fertility, growth, life, nature’s abundance, bounty, goodwill, the anticipation of new beginnings, rebirth, rest, rejuvenation in body or spirit, freshness, youth, healing, tranquility, and nature. 

They also mean hope, cheerfulness, good fortune, balance, stability, and success in business and romantic relationships.

Read more on the meaning of each rose color in our dedicated article.


Light Green Roses Meaning

Light green roses symbolize innocence and youth, while mint green roses represent new love or first love. 

Lime green roses signify a new beginning, energy, and vibrancy – perfect for someone starting a new job.

lime green roses
Light green roses symbolize innocence and youth.

Dark Green Roses Meaning

Dark green and emerald green roses symbolize the hidden depths of love, good fortune, mystery, and intrigue.

Forest green roses signify good health, stability, and the strength of a couple’s bond. 

Olive green roses represent peace and faithfulness in a long-term romantic relationship.

Sage green roses convey peace and wisdom. Because it’s a calming color, you will see it in bouquets and at funerals.

dark green roses
Dark green and emerald green roses symbolize the hidden depths of love, good fortune, mystery, and intrigue.

Top 10 Meanings of Green Roses

  • Abundance
  • Fertility
  • Rebirth
  • Healing
  • Growth
  • Success
  • Good fortune
  • Hope
  • Balance
  • Bounty

Read more on the top 10 meanings of each rose color in our dedicated article.


Green Roses Spiritual Meaning

Green roses bring healing energy and protection from negativity.

If you see a green rose in your dream, it symbolizes your spiritual richness.

For Christians, green roses signify hope and eternal life. The Archangel Raphael is associated with the color green. He represents healing, so giving a sick person green roses sends them luck as they recover.

For Hindus, the green rose represents new love or a new start, as green conveys fertility and the hope of new beginnings.

The Celtic god of abundance and fertility, Dagda, is also associated with the green rose. His sacred color was green. Gifting green roses means you wish abundance and fertility for the recipient.

Read more on the spiritual meanings of each rose color in our dedicated article.

green rose in a dream
If you see a green rose in your dream, it symbolizes your spiritual richness.

History of Green Roses? 

Green Roses in the Forbidden City

The first recordings of green roses grown were in China, going back as early as 1743. They belonged only to the Qiánlóng Emperor and were grown in the Forbidden City.

The emperor’s green roses did not look like today’s roses. The flowers didn’t have petals, they had only sepals – those little pointy leaves you typically see underneath a bloom – and a leafy middle. This bizarre anomaly created a rose bloom that looked like spiky, pointed, green leaves instead of silky, velvety, rounded petals. This Green Rose even had a peppery scent!

Experts believe the roses evolved from an older species; either Slater’s Crimson China or Parson’s Pink China. Referred to as Green Rose, or “rosa chinesis viridiflora”, the flower was incredibly unique –  and a genetic anomaly! No one outside the Forbidden City could grow the Green Rose. 

chinese green rose, rosa chinensis viridiflora
Referred to as Green Rose, or “rosa chinesis viridiflora”, the flower is a genetic anomaly.

Green Roses come to Europe and America

It wasn’t until 1856 that a nursery in England Bembridge and Harrison, introduced green roses to Europe. The Green Rose debuted at the Paris Exposition Universelle to horticulturalists’ dismay. It was called “a green-eyed monster” and “a little monstrosity or an error of nature.”

Regardless of the horticulturalists’ opinions, The Green Rose grew in popularity in England, the US, and worldwide, as people were amazed by the big, unusual blooms.

The curator of the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden and president of the Heritage Rose Foundation, Stephen Scanniello, claims that Green Rose is a mutated version of Old Blush, which came to the US and England in the 1790s.

A man named John Smith claimed to see them growing in 1827. A Philadelphia nursery owner, Robert Buist, said he first got Green Rose cuttings in 1833 in South Carolina. Other sources say they were introduced in America in 1849 and France in 1855. The year 1856 is the generally accepted year because no one could verify the additional documentation.

Green Roses and the Underground Railroad

Green Roses have supposed ties to the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. Folklore says Quaker families planted the flower in their yards as a symbol of refuge. Hence, Freedom Seekers knew it was a safe place to escape slavery. 

Another version says that conductors wore a Green Rose to secretly reveal their connection to the Underground Railroad so Freedom Seekers could identify them. Although there is no proof that these tales are accurate, a Quaker family from Baltimore says there is evidence in their family history. This is detailed in the semi-autobiographical book, Green Rose of Furley by Helen Corse Barney, published in 1953. 

Green Rose Of Furley by Helen Corse Barney First Edition Hardcover

Green Roses Today

The green roses we know today are the result of crossbreeding with modern garden roses. Many green roses on the market have been artificially colored (white roses which have been dyed green).

Read more on the history of each rose color in our dedicated article.


Green Roses Meaning in Other Cultures and Countries

In Western cultures, green roses are associated with fertility, abundance, and renewal. They represent growth, harmony, and a fresh start.

In China, green roses are not commonly found in nature, and they are considered a rare and valuable flower! Green roses symbolize eternal spring and longevity.

In Ireland, green roses are associated with St. Patrick’s Day and the country’s national color. They represent Irish heritage, faith and hope.

In Japan, green roses are often associated with nature and can symbolize eternal life, rejuvenation, and vitality. They are also associated with youth and good health.

Read more on the the meaning of each rose color in different cultures in our dedicated article.


Green Roses as a Gift

Green roses are perfect for a boss or coworker, a couple having or planning to have a baby, a new friend, a new lover, someone ill, or someone going through a significant life change.

Give a bouquet of green roses to signify luck, money, and success to someone starting a new business venture, relationship, personal journey, or maybe needing a bit of luck.

Send them to a friend that just landed their dream job or recognize a graduate for their hard work. 

Green roses are excellent for someone who has added a new pet to their family or moved into the neighborhood.

You can also send green roses as a gift of hope to a loved one experiencing difficulty. 

Read more about each rose color as gifts in our dedicated article.

green roses as a gift
Give a bouquet of green roses to signify luck, money, and success.

Green Roses in Relationships

Green roses signify good fortune, new beginnings, rebirth, and relationship growth. This unique flower represents the hope and joy of a new relationship. 

They remind you to stay focused on freshness and positivity and nurture your relationship. Therefore, they make a lovely gift to a couple that has recently fallen in love. 

Green roses can also symbolize an old, recovering relationship – whether a family or friend relationship or a couple. They can also mean hope for a relationship experiencing challenges. 

When given to your partner, green roses mean loyalty, trustworthiness, faithfulness, and admiration. It can also convey how content you are and how lucky you feel to be with them. It says that you will always love them.

Although they are not often associated with negative meanings, green roses can be associated with jealousy or envy.


Green Roses in Friendships

In friendships, green roses signify balance, stability, and peace. Congratulating a friend during an important life moment is the best way to say you care, and what better way to do that than with green roses!

Giving a friend that you admire a gift of green roses reaffirms your friendship.

Read more about roses in friendships.

Give a bouquet of green roses to signify luck, money, and success
Green roses signify balance, stability, and peace.

Green Roses for Events or Occasions 

Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, and Christmas are perfect holidays to use green roses. 

Birthdays and anniversaries are other great times to send green roses because they symbolize youthfulness and health.

Green roses are a lovely way to say “Congrats!” or “Good Luck!” for engagements, weddings, work promotions, graduations, and new babies. You can send a wish of good luck and prosperity as a bouquet of green roses to someone just engaged. A wedding or a baby shower is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate new beginnings with a gorgeous bouquet of green roses. They signify a celebration of fertility when you send them for the birth of a new baby.

Green roses reflect hope, rebirth, and expansion, so they are great for an office if a new project is underway or things are changing. The flowers will inspire employees to be excited about the future. 

Any day is terrific for adding freshness and hope to your home with a lovely bouquet of green roses.


Green Roses at Weddings

Green roses are an excellent choice for a wedding, as they represent new beginnings, rebirth, luck, and hope.

Green is a lovely spring wedding color, and green roses would be the perfect wedding flowers. They connect to spring and nature, growth, and fertility, ideal for signifying a couple’s exciting future as married life awaits. 

bride holding a bouquet of green roses for wedding
Green roses are an excellent choice for a wedding.

Green Roses at Funerals

Green roses are appropriate for funerals. Sage green roses are especially lovely because they convey peace and a sense of calm.

green roses on a coffin at a funeral
Green roses are appropriate for funerals.

Green Roses Mean When Combined With Other Colors

Green roses and pink roses symbolize youthfulness, hope, and promise for a bright future. It’s a superb combo for a graduate. It can also mean sweetness and purity of new life – perfectly sweet for a baby shower.

Green roses and white roses together mean courage and not giving up. Send good luck, hope, and confidence when you send green and white roses to a loved one.

Green roses and yellow roses convey joy. They represent optimism and a moment’s happiness, perfect for a celebration.

bouquet of green roses and pink roses
Green roses and pink roses symbolize youthfulness, hope, and promise for a bright future.

Green Rose Tattoo Meaning

A green rose tattoo has several meanings, including peace, nature, mature love, fertility, abundance, healthy kids, rebirth, tranquility in the spring, best wishes for a prosperous new life, the desire for the return of good health, spirit rejuvenation, beauty, peace of mind, self-respect, and well-being. 

If you want to express your feelings through body art, a green rose tattoo is a fantastic choice. It may represent someone’s hopes for the future, values, and beliefs. It might also be a tribute to a special someone.

green rose tattoo
A green rose tattoo has several meanings, including peace, nature, mature love.

Green Rose Varieties

Super Green Rose has large cabbage-like blooms with bright, spring-green petals – great for bouquets and arrangements.

Green Ice Rose is an icy green miniature rose, perfect for growing in your garden or as a potted plant.

Greensleeves Rose is a unique flower with 8 to 15 petals. The sea-green petals fade to a pale pink shade.

Mayra’s Green Rose is a lovely, ruffled garden rose. The outer petals are light green, and the inside is creamy chartreuse color.

The gorgeous Mint Julep Rose is primarily yellow but is called green because the petals have a thick, mint-green fringe border.


Conclusion

The green rose has a rich history, from its moniker as the “green-eyed monster” to being a beacon of safety for Freedom Seekers. 

Even though today’s green roses don’t have their original, unusual spikiness, they continue to inspire! They stand for nature’s abundance, bounty, tranquility, rest, rejuvenation in body or spirit, and nature. Whether you wish a graduate “Good Luck!” or celebrate a new beginning with a pregnant mama at her baby shower, you will make a lasting impression with a gift of green roses.

meaning of green roses, illustration

Frequently Asked Questions – Meaning of Green Roses

What do green roses symbolize?

Green roses symbolize many things such as fertility, life, bounty, growth, and constant rejuvenation or rebirth. They can also stand for stability, balance, and a sense of calm. In some contexts, green roses can represent richness, abundance, and bounty.

Do different shades of green roses have different meanings?

Yes, different shades of green roses may have slightly different meanings. Light green roses often represent a sense of calm and tranquility, while darker green roses can symbolize richness, bounty, and fertility. Each shade can convey a slightly different message, making the green rose a versatile and expressive flower.

What is the spiritual significance of green roses?

In the spiritual context, green roses often represent the healing power of nature and the energies of growth, renewal, and hope. Some people associate them with the heart chakra, which is related to healing, balance, and tranquility. In Christian symbolism, the green rose can represent the divine or godly love that is constantly renewing. In Hinduism, it is often associated with the goddess Lakshmi and can represent prosperity.

What is the history of green roses?

The green rose, or Rosa chinensis viridiflora, has a history that is difficult to trace. The earliest mention of green roses comes from China in the 1740s. In the 19th century, they were introduced to Europe and the Americas. There are also myths linking green roses to the Underground Railroad, where they supposedly served as a symbol for safe houses.

What do green roses mean in different cultures and countries?

Green roses can have different meanings in different cultures. In many Western cultures, they symbolize fertility and abundance. In Chinese culture, the green rose is often associated with the idea of eternal spring or youth. In Ireland, a green rose can symbolize Irish heritage. In Japan, the green rose is thought to represent youth and bountiful health.

When should you gift green roses?

Green roses make a great gift for many different occasions. They can be a thoughtful present for someone who is starting a new chapter in life – a new job, a new home, or a new family, for example. Because they symbolize fertility, they can also be an appropriate gift for expectant parents. Green roses can be a way to wish someone good luck or express a wish for their success.

What is the significance of green roses in relationships?

In relationships, green roses can signify a flourishing love or a love that is constantly renewing. They can be used to convey good fortune, peace, and spiritual richness. They can also represent a love that is steady, constant, and ever-growing.

What do green roses signify in friendships?

In friendships, green roses can signify a sense of balance and stability. They can express a feeling of peace and tranquility, and convey a sense of admiration for the friend. They can also serve as a wish for the friend’s success and growth.

When are green roses suitable for events or occasions?

Green roses are suitable for a wide range of events and occasions. They can be used in holiday decorations, given as gifts on birthdays or anniversaries, used in wedding bouquets, or presented at funerals as a symbol of peace and calm. They can also be given as a token of good luck or congratulations on major life events.

What is the role of green roses at weddings?

At weddings, green roses can symbolize new beginnings and the constant renewal of love. They can also stand for good luck and abundance, making them a suitable choice for wedding decorations or bouquets.

Are green roses appropriate for funerals?

Yes, green roses can be appropriate for funerals. Sage green roses, in particular, can convey a sense of calm and peace. Their symbolism of constant renewal can also bring comfort and hope in a time of loss.

What do green roses mean when combined with other colors?

When combined with other colors, green roses can take on additional meanings. For example, green and white roses together might represent purity and innocence in addition to renewal, while green and yellow roses might symbolize joy and happiness alongside growth.

What does a green rose tattoo mean?

A green rose tattoo can have many meanings depending on the person’s personal interpretation. It might symbolize peace, a connection to nature, or a sense of tranquility. It could also represent mature love, fertility, abundance, or the constant cycle of rebirth. A green rose tattoo could also symbolize self-respect and well-being.

What are some varieties of green roses?

There are several varieties of green roses. The “Super Green Rose” is known for its vibrant, lime-green color. The “Green Ice Rose” has a pale, icy-green color. The “Greensleeves Rose” has a deeper, emerald green color. The “Mayra’s Green Rose” is a unique rose with a green center and pinkish edges. And the “Mint Julep Rose” has a minty green color with a touch of yellow.

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