White Roses: Symbolism and Meaning
White roses are among your favorite flowers! With their subtle and elegant color, they take center stage in your bouquets, especially as summer approaches. What do white roses symbolize? When should you give them as a gift? Sessile tells you everything!
What is the meaning of a white rose?
The symbolism of the white rose revolves around pure, sincere, and unassuming love, and thus differs from the passion symbolized by the red rose. A white rose therefore signifies innocent and sincere love, much like a child’s love for its mother.
In many cultures, white is also the color of mourning, which is why white roses are often used to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away.
In Greek mythology,the story of the white rose is closely linked to love: legend has it that Cupid, the god of love, spilled a drop of his wine onto a white rose, thereby turning it into a flower that symbolizes love.
In Christian culture, the white rose is a symbol of the Virgin Mary and thus represents purity and maternal love in all its splendor.
I find my bouquet of white roses
The Best Occasions to Give White Roses, According to Florists
Like the red rose, the white rose expresses a facet of love, adding a touch of respect and commitment. That is why the white rose is particularly prized at weddings, where it becomes a symbol of an eternal promise.
Furthermore, since they evoke a sense of innocence, white roses are perfect for decorating a baptism. Don’t forget that the white rose is the symbol of the Virgin Mary and therefore carries strong religious connotations.
Another good occasionto give whiteroses is to apologize for bad behavior: the message is “let’s start with a clean slate.” The white rose therefore symbolizes a sincere and pure request for forgiveness.
Sessile.fr's review of the white rose
We’ve developed a bad habit: giving flowers year-round without considering their natural blooming seasons. The white rose is no exception. Since we demand white roses year-round, Dutch growers have organized their operations so that white roses can bloom year-round—primarily by relocating production or growing them mainly in greenhouses.
Sessile.fr therefore recommends that youbuy whiteroses when they are in season—that is, in the spring. Outside of their blooming season, try as much as possible to choose seasonal flowers.
What seasonal flowers can I use instead of white roses?
If you're not sure which flowers to choose, trust your local florist to recommend the most beautiful flowers available right now.
In the spring, you can swap white roses for white peonies, which are extremely popular as Mother’s Day approaches. White lilies are also ideal for expressing love and respect.
When fall arrives, you can easily replace your white roses with white ranunculus, which are just beginning to bloom. As All Saints' Day approaches, white chrysanthemums also offer a lovely alternative to white roses and have the advantage of being in season.
In winter, we recommend choosing anemones or white tulips, which can add the touch of elegance and dignity you’d like to bring to your bouquets.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
