What It Is

Almost everyone loves roses. This pretty flower comes in a variety of colors and adds beauty to any garden. When it comes to flowers, the rose is Queen. Because there are so many types of roses, choosing a favorite can be a challenge. If you or someone close to you loves roses, you should consider stitching a cross stitch rose pattern. This pattern can truly capture the wonder of this popular flower.

One reason so many people are fascinated by roses is how they symbolize life’s struggles and achievements. If you survive the thorns of life, you’re rewarded with loveliness and contentment.

It is easy to find charts and kits of rose designs; these can vary from the traditional bunch of roses or samplers to the more modern — Rennie Mackintosh designs or Art Deco. Of course, which design you choose is up to you, and also what you may consider to be the preferences of the lucky recipient of your project. However, it is advisable to consider the symbolism of roses. This may affect your choice of cross stitch rose pattern.

For instance, consider Venus and Aphrodite. These Greek goddesses of love were symbolized by roses. Another influence roses had on society is in the derivation of the term ’sub rosa.’ In Italy when a secret meeting took place, they placed a rose on the door. The rose symbolized that the meeting was ‘under the rose,’ which meant they were keeping secrets.

Christians also felt roses had symbolic meaning. Roses have five petals, and those petals represented Christ’s five wounds. In addition, red roses were said to be symbolic of the blood that flowed from martyrs for Christianity.

Cultures around the globe view roses symbolically. For instance, both England and the United States have the rose as the national flower. Some coats of arms have roses, and the red variety is considered to be a symbol of social democracy. Famously, the House of Lancaster and the House of York fought the War of the Roses in England. Roses of two different colors represented these two houses — Lancaster was red, York was white.

According to the language of flowers, the color and shape of roses have great symbolic importance. These can communicate a message to the recipient of the rose.

* A red rose is a symbol of love. A red rosebud means purity and beauty. A red rose without thorns indicates love at first sight.

* A yellow rose means platonic love, friendship and joy. It can also symbolise new beginnings. If the yellow rose has red tips, this could indicate falling in love. Beware of yellow roses in German speaking countries. Here, they mean infidelity and jealousy.

* Pink roses are thought to denote appreciation and grace. If the pink is dark, then the giver is supposedly grateful. If, however, the petals are a light pink, then the message is one of sympathy and admiration.

* Peach and orange roses can be given to woo someone. They’re symbolic of sensuality, desire, passion, and fascination.

* White roses are lovely depictions of innocence. Many brides utilize white rosebuds in their bouquets. For others, the white rose symbolizes starting a new life or possessing humility and reverence.

If you choose a perfect cross stitch rose pattern that has a rose in an inappropriate colour for what you wish to convey, do not despair. With just a little thought, you can easily adapt the design to accommodate a new color.

Before you start, keep these hints in mind:

* If you substitute some colored threads from a kit, do use the same brand of threads to that which you are discarding. There are subtle but important differences between different brands and types of thread.

* Remember that you will not be just choosing one color, because the design will probably not contain a solid block of color. You may need to buy several different colored threads. For example, a red rose may contain about four different types of red thread. This makes the rose appear more three dimensional.

* Craft shops can be a huge help when you’re deciding what threads you’ll need. You’ll be able to test the threads by putting them next to each other. This way, you can guarantee that the finished flowers will look great. As you decide which colors to use, don’t forget about the other colors in your cross stitch rose pattern. You’ll want to consider the material and any other stitching that will appear in the pattern.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’re certain to create a great rose pattern that will delight a friend or family member.