Blue Roses: Meaning, Symbolism, and Proper Occasions

You’ve seen blue roses included in bouquets, but did you know this flower is not naturally found in the wild? These roses hold a special significance — not just because they were carefully developed over many years, but also because they are highly symbolic. Discover blue roses meaning and symbolism. Plus, learn the proper occasions for these unique flowers!

The History of Blue Roses

In 1990, the Blue Rose Project began. This was an undertaking that required a research team’s collaborative efforts and special plant biotechnologies. The team used blue genes from petunias to start and though those blue genes were introduced into roses; when they bloomed, there was no blue to be found. So, they tried another flower and managed to get carnations to turn blue.

In 1996, the team saw the first bits of blue in roses after the blue genes had finally accumulated sufficiently. Between the years 1998 to 2002, the percentage of blue pigments had made it all the way to 100% and so the first blue roses arrived. Yoshikazu Tanaka, Ph.D., Senior General Manager of the project alongside colleagues Yukihisa Katsumoto, Ph.D., Principal Researcher, and Noriko Nakamura, Ph.D., Project Leader and Researcher, finally announced the fruits of their efforts in 2004.

The Symbolism of Blue Roses

Blue roses are part of the family Rosaceae and were at one point thought of as the “impossible flower.” Considering it took approximately 12 years for this flower to finally reach its full development, it makes sense that it’s highly revered. It’s not a common flower you include in all bouquets, you don’t see them blooming in your neighbor’s gardens, and some are only blue because they’ve been dyed. But what do these roses mean?

Secrecy

Genetic limitations prevented blue roses from thriving in nature and it took researchers a long, painstaking time before they could finally celebrate the first true blue roses. Developed in a lab, carefully with minor shifts along the way points to a sense of secrecy. Blue roses symbolize secretive intentions as if wanting something to develop even though it may not come about naturally. You could send these to an unlikely love interest to express your secret desires, also acknowledging that what you wish for may never be.

Mystery

Blue roses also point to mystery. With secrets, there is always a mystery in the air and when it’s between two parties, both can feel it. When something is undeveloped, there can only be fantasies. Within each fantasy, there is a mystery, as unlikely lovers are also unlikely to share their truest thoughts.

Uniqueness

The development of blue roses is a unique story of steadfast researchers who came together and stuck together until they manifested their original vision. There’s something you can admire in these qualities; in finding failure along the path and not letting that deter you. This unique way of changing course ever-so-slightly, keeping steady toward a final destination is not a quality many possess.

Proper Occasions for Using Blue Roses

Although you can certainly give a blue rose away any day, you should know what the hidden meaning is behind this gesture. If the recipient is aware that it may mean you’re showing interest and you’re not entirely sure what the message is you’re sending, there could be some confusion — and awkwardness. Some of the proper occasions for using blue roses include the following:

Unrequited Love

Unrequited love is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences. It’s both stimulating and heartbreaking all at once. Where there’s hope and fantasy, dread and disappointment follow. Unrequited love ebbs and flows when communication isn’t direct. The hope could last for years, even if you’ve accepted the role of friend or admirer from afar. Blue roses can serve as an acknowledgment that you’ve accepted what never will be but that it doesn’t change your feelings of longing. This is not a courting rose but almost like a mourning rose for a lover once wanted but never had.

An Infinite Spiritual Journey

The uniqueness of blue roses is also a great way to honor someone’s individual spiritual path. Each person has their own road. Sometimes paths cross and other times they run parallel, but the path of each person is unique. There are twisty, steep, difficult portions of the path and there are comfortable descents when the breeze is just right. Blue roses deliver the message that you see the person’s unique gifts, that you both honor and support them, and that you congratulate them for sticking it out (even when they’d rather huddle into the fetal position and forget the world!).

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/courtyardpix