Meaning of Yellow Roses: History and Symbolism

Yellow roses spark joy and happiness and blend seamlessly into a bouquet. However, there is more to the yellow rose than just its beauty.

In this article, we will uncover the intriguing journey of yellow roses, from their Victorian-era connotation of jealousy to their spiritual and cultural significance in various traditions. Whether you’re curious about their symbolism and origin, or seeking the perfect occasion to give yellow roses, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding these wonderful flowers.

Yellow Roses Symbolism

Yellow roses symbolize joy, happiness, friendship, and optimism. They are commonly associated with platonic love rather than romance, making them a perfect gift for friends and colleagues.

The meaning of yellow roses has changed considerably over the centuries. In the Victorian era, yellow roses were a sign of jealousy or infidelity. If someone thought their significant other was betraying them, they would send the person yellow roses to signify their betrayal and dishonesty.

Top 10 Meanings of Yellow Roses

Friendship
Happiness
Optimism
Gratitude
Celebration
Congratulations
Good luck
New beginnings
Encouragement
Lack of romantic interest

Spiritual Meaning of Yellow Roses?

Yellow roses are a symbol that your spiritual protector nearby, and providing you with happiness, light, and love. If you see a yellow rose, it could mean that your guardian angel or other spirit is protecting you from danger and keeping you out of harm’s way.

Eastern religions, such as Buddhism, see yellow roses as a spiritual awakening, inner wisdom, and a search for enlightenment.

In the Catholic Church, yellow roses herald the glories of the Virgin Mary. An apparition of Mary presented herself to a nun several times in the village of Lourdes in France in 1858. The Virgin Mary had yellow roses on her feet!

History of Yellow Roses

While the rose originated about 32 million years ago, the yellow rose wasn’t found until much later. Europeans in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia discovered the yellow rose in the 18^th century. While these flowers were originally found naturally, Europeans proceeded to crossbreed different types of roses to create an enormous variety of yellow-hued roses.

The earliest yellow roses carried an unpleasant smell and could cause headaches, earning them the nickname “sulfur roses”. Over time the roses were cross-bred and experimented on the unpleasant smell was eliminated, and they gained the pleasing sweet aroma we are familiar with today.

In the Victorian period, flowers were assembled to carry out secret messages. These small arrangements are known as Tussie-Mussies. Yellow roses carried negative connotations such as jealousy or infidelity!

Yellow Roses in Ancient Myths

In Greek mythology, Apollo was the god of the sun who created the yellow rose. The yellow rose was also associated with the goddess of marriage and childbirth, Hera. Today, we use yellow roses as a gift when there is a newborn child or an engagement, as a nod to Hera.

Yellow Roses in Chinese Culture

Yellow roses signify victory in Chinese culture. This makes yellow roses ideal for giving to someone who has just accomplished a big goal.

Yellow signifies royalty and power in Chinese culture, with emperors usually dressed in yellow or gold.

Yellow also represents money and good fortune, so giving yellow roses could make a great gift for someone who is about to start a new job or who has recently got a promotion.

Yellow Roses in Other Cultures and Countries

In early Korean and Japanese culture, yellow roses were associated with unhappy relationships, like in the Victorian period. Sending yellow roses to someone implied that the sender wanted to be friends only and was not interested in being romantic with the receiver.

In Eastern religions, and especially in Buddhism, yellow roses represent enlightenment, inner wisdom, and spiritual awakening. They also signify the journey of enlightenment and the search for truth and understanding.

yellow roses in a garden, in front of a house

Yellow Roses in the Victorian Era

In the Victorian era, receiving yellow roses was a public form of embarrassment and was humiliating to the recipient. Yellow roses were a sign of infidelity and were used to accuse the significant other of being unfaithful.

Yellow Roses in Art

Pierre Joseph Redoute painted a series of botanical watercolors of sulphur roses, in the classical style around 1819-1824.
In the late 19^th and early 20^th century, yellow roses featured prominently in paintings by many French artists.
- Manet painted Roses in a Champagne Glass in 1882 in the realist style. That same year Gustave Caillebotte painted Yellow Roses in a Vase.
- In 1884, Paul Gaugin painted Bouquet of Roses, a still-life in the impressionist style.
- In 1886 Van Gogh painted Glass with Yellow Eoses.
- In 1924, the Fauvist painter, Henri Matisse created Yellow Roses with Cage of Parakeets. It is a vibrant still life, executed in his idiosyncratic style.

*Yellow Roses with Cage of Parakeets, painting by Henri Matisse*

Yellow Roses in Popular Culture

The Yellow Rose of Texas

The Yellow Rose of Texas is a popular folk song that originated in the mid-19th century and is now iconic in Texas history and folklore. The song tells the story of a black woman who played a significant role during the Texas Revolution, specifically the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.

While the historical accuracy of the story is debated, the Yellow Rose of Texas has become a cherished symbol of Texan identity and is often associated with bravery, resilience, and the spirit of Texas. The song has been performed by many singers and has become deeply ingrained in the state’s cultural heritage.

Dolly Parton’s Yellow Roses

The Dolly Parton song Yellow Roses was released in 1989. It tells the story of a woman reflecting on a past romantic relationship that has ended. The lyrics speak of a love that has faded away and the emotional pain that comes with it.

In the song, the yellow roses symbolize the memories and love that the woman once shared with her partner. The yellow roses serve as a reminder of the past, representing the happiness and affection they once had. However, with the relationship now over, the yellow roses also evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia for what was lost.

Yellow Roses as Gifts

Yellow roses make wonderful gifts for friends, colleagues, or someone who needs cheering up.

They signify a new beginning, making them perfect gifts for graduates, newlyweds, or new parents.

Think twice before gifting to your lover, as yellow roses signify platonic love, not romantic love. Yellow roses might suggest that you just want to be friends!

Yellow roses are a great way to show someone that you’re proud of them and are perfect for those going on to new adventures in life. Sending yellow roses to someone who is sick or in hospital is a perfect way to brighten their spirits.

Sending Yellow Roses Is Best For:

Your friends
A new graduate
Someone starting a new job
A new parent
Someone who is sick or needs some cheer

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

Yellow Roses in Relationships

Yellow roses are a symbol of friendship and platonic love, so it is not ideal to give these to your lover. Besides being associated with jealousy, buying a yellow rose for your partner can imply that your relationship is close to ending. Although yellow roses are more friendly than romantic, you could give your partner them to show support for a new job and promotion.

Yellow Roses Meaning in a Friendships

Yellow roses are associated with platonic friendships and are a great way to show a friend you care. These cheerful flowers are also a great way to show you’re thinking of someone, as well as to show your support and affection. Yellow brings out the tenderness, sincerity, and warmth in us, which are usually words we associate with our friends.

When sending a gift to your friend, think of yellow roses and try to incorporate them in little ways such as:

Getting matching yellow rose tattoos with your bestie
Sending a card with a picture of yellow roses on it
Sending a bouquet on National Best Friend’s Day (June 8^th)

Events or Occasions for Yellow Roses

Yellow roses are appropriate for any time you want to add a little happiness to an event. This includes birthday parties, weddings, and graduations. It is also appropriate to gift yellow roses during the birth of a child, to support a friend, or an engagement.

Occasions where yellow roses are appropriate:

Graduations
Friend’s birthday
Engagement Party
Get Well Soon

Yellow Roses at Weddings

Yellow roses mean friendship and joy, which makes them a good wedding bouquet option, especially if you are marrying your best friend!

You might consider adding white roses to the yellow roses arrangement to add suggestions of purity and innocence. It will also make the bouquet feel more bridal. Yellow roses work perfectly in most wedding bouquets as yellow complements cream and white roses. Yellow roses give traditional white rose bouquets an extra spark of joy.

Yellow roses can also be incorporated into bright and uplifting table centerpieces and altar decorations.

Yellow Roses at Funerals

Yellow roses are not a common funeral flower, due to their happy color. However, they would be a great option for a “celebration of life”, rather than for a period of mourning. Since yellow symbolizes friendship, these types of roses can also be suitable if you are attending the funeral service as a friend.

Yellow Roses With Colored Edges

A yellow rose with pink-tipped petals means friendship, gratitude, and admiration.

A yellow rose with red-tipped petals signifies mean that your friendship is turning into romance!

Yellow Roses Combined With Other Rose Colors

You can combine yellow roses with other rose colors to embellish their meaning!

Yellow roses with white roses mean joy, innocence, and purity.
Yellow roses with red roses mean happiness and that your feelings are becoming romantic.
Yellow roses with blue roses mean that you appreciate their friendship.
Yellow roses with many colors together mean celebratory happiness and joy.

Popular Varieties of Yellow Roses

Some popular choices include:

Rose ‘Oregold’
Candelight rose
Friesia rose
Rosa ‘Teasing Georgia’
Gold Bunny rose

Yellow Rose Tattoos

A yellow rose tattoo means friendship and a new start. It is perfect for someone who is looking for a fresh beginning and a new outlook on life.

A popular reason for choosing a yellow rose tattoo is to represent a close friendship. Some people get matching yellow rose tattoos to cement a bond with their best friend. For other people the yellow rose symbolizes optimism and is a reminder to focus on the joyful aspects of life.

A yellow rose tattoo can also serve as a tribute to a loved one who has passed away.

Other feelings that could inspire your yellow rose tattoo include:

Happiness
Affection
Fortune
Nurturing

Conclusion

Although yellow roses once carried a negative connotation, they now are associated with happiness, joy, and friendship. They are the most platonic rose color, and are not associated with romance, which makes them a wonderful gift for friends.

Since the yellow rose carries several different meanings, you can use this guide to make sure you are giving the correct flower for the right occasion. When reading, listening to music, or looking at art, look for symbols of the yellow rose and pay attention to the subject connected to the flower. Keeping an eye out for these signs will give you a better understanding of the meaning of the yellow rose – a fascinating flower with a checkered past!

Frequently Asked Questions – Meaning of Yellow Roses

What do yellow roses symbolize?

Yellow roses symbolize joy, happiness, friendship, and optimism. They are commonly associated with platonic love rather than romance.

How has the meaning of yellow roses evolved over time?

In the Victorian era, yellow roses were associated with jealousy and infidelity. However, today they are seen as a positive symbol of happiness and friendship.

What are the top 10 meanings of yellow roses?

Friendship, happiness, optimism, gratitude, celebration, congratulations, good luck, new beginnings, encouragement, and lack of romantic interest.

What is the spiritual meaning of yellow roses?

Yellow roses are seen as a symbol of spiritual protection, happiness, light, and love. They can represent the presence of a guardian angel or the journey towards enlightenment.

What is the history of yellow roses?

Yellow roses were discovered in the 18th century by Europeans in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia. Initially, they had an unpleasant smell but were later crossbred to eliminate the odor and enhance their beauty.

How do yellow roses feature in ancient myths?

In Greek mythology, Apollo, the god of the sun, was believed to have created the yellow rose. They were also associated with Hera, the goddess of marriage and childbirth.

What do yellow roses mean in Chinese culture?

In Chinese culture, yellow roses symbolize victory, royalty, power, money, and good fortune. They are suitable for celebrating accomplishments or new beginnings.

Can yellow roses be given as gifts in relationships?

Yellow roses are more appropriate for friendships and platonic relationships. They may convey a lack of romantic interest or suggest the relationship is ending.

Are yellow roses suitable for weddings or funerals?

Yellow roses can be used in weddings, especially if there’s a strong friendship aspect. They are less common in funerals but could be appropriate for celebrating a life or attending as a friend.

What do yellow roses with colored edges or combined with other rose colors mean?

Yellow roses with pink-tipped petals represent friendship and admiration, while those with red-tipped petals suggest a transition from friendship to romance. Combining yellow roses with other colors can further enhance their meanings.

What are some popular varieties of yellow roses?

Popular varieties include ‘Oregold,’ ‘Candelight,’ ‘Friesia,’ ‘Teasing Georgia,’ and ‘Gold Bunny.’

What does a yellow rose tattoo symbolize?

A yellow rose tattoo can represent friendship, new beginnings, optimism, or a tribute to a loved one. It is a positive symbol of happiness and affection.

Can yellow roses be given as gifts on specific occasions?

Yes, yellow roses are suitable for birthdays, graduations, engagement parties, new jobs, cheering up someone who is sick, or celebrating a new life.

How can yellow roses be incorporated into art and popular culture?

Yellow roses have been depicted in various paintings by artists such as Redouté, Manet, Caillebotte, Van Gogh, and Matisse. They also feature in songs like “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and Dolly Parton’s “Yellow Roses.”

How can I ensure I give the correct flower for the occasion?

By understanding the meanings and symbolism associated with yellow roses, you can choose the appropriate flower for specific events, relationships, or emotions. Pay attention to the context and subject connected to the yellow rose to gain a deeper understanding.

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