How to Interpret White Roses in a Relationship & When to Give Them to Someone

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Everything you need to know about this gorgeous symbol of commitment and new beginnings

Co-authored by Savannah Vold Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: June 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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White Rose Meanings

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When to Give White Roses

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History

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Mythology of Red & Pink Roses

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Video

Eternal love, innocence, and trust– white roses are the perfect flower to give and receive from romantic and platonic relationships alike. In this article, we’ll teach you all about the meaning, symbolism, history, and myths surrounding the white rose, as well as when to give them so you can feel confident about sending this radiant rose to the ones you love. Read on for fabulous floral history and advice!

Things You Should Know

White roses are generally regarded to symbolize eternal love, trust, and innocence.
White roses can be given platonically as an expression of respect and gratitude to your friends, loved ones, and colleagues.
White roses are a spiritual symbol of purity and innocence.
Give white roses to your romantic partner or someone you’d like to start a relationship with to express your devotion to them.

Section 1 of 4:

White Rose Meanings

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White roses are a symbol of commitment and everlasting love. This universal symbol of beauty is a touching expression of one’s commitment to a romantic relationship and symbolizes the desire for that love to last. Giving a white rose to your partner or someone you’re interested in starting a relationship with is an excellent way to show them you’re worthy of their love.^{[1]
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- If your partner gave you white roses, count yourself lucky! White roses are a sign of commitment and signal the hope for a long-lasting partnership– not to mention a fabulous choice for gifting or receiving on Valentine's day.
- The white rose’s connection to eternal love makes them popular at weddings and funerals. In life and death, white roses signal a love that never withers and withstands the test of time.
- White roses also signify young love. This flower perfectly encapsulates an exciting new romantic relationship that is just blossoming and is an excellent choice for winning over that special someone.
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White roses can represent respect, trust, and gratitude. While white roses have many interpretations and are commonly associated with everlasting love, they can express one’s gratitude and trust for someone in platonic and romantic relationships alike. Presenting someone with white roses or being presented with them by someone else signifies respect and appreciation.^{[2]
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- Being given white roses by your partner expresses their trust in you. If you’ve overcome obstacles with your partner that have tested your relationship, white roses say, “I trust you, and I appreciate everything you do.”
- White roses are great to give to mentors, teachers, and coworkers to show thanks for their efforts in supporting you through your academic or professional journeys.
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White roses are spiritual symbols of youth, innocence, and purity. In Christianity, white roses are widely associated with the purity and virtue of the Virgin Mary. This holy flower is a beautiful reminder to look for goodness in all things.^{[3]
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- If you’ve received white roses from your partner, they may be hoping to convey the purity of their love for you. Plus, if this is a new relationship, white roses can also express your partner’s joy over a new beginning.
- The Virgin Mary is sometimes called “The Mystical Rose of Heaven.” The flower’s association with the Holy Mother makes it a poignant choice to express empathy and hopefulness for people suffering, such as those who are ill.
- White roses are also linked to paradise in The Koran and the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati, in Hinduism.

Section 2 of 4:

When to Give White Roses

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Give white roses to your partner as a symbol of eternal love. Nothing says forever like a beautiful bouquet of white roses. Whether you’ve been in a committed relationship for years or are hoping to start a new one, white roses are the perfect expression of pure love and devotion.^{[4]
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- Because white roses symbolize eternal love, they’re also a good choice to bring to funerals as a symbol of your undying love for the person who has passed, despite your separation on Earth.
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Send white roses to your friend or peer to show gratitude and respect. White roses are representative of emotions like trust and respect, so if someone’s just helped you through a hard time, white roses are a touching way to express your thanks.
- Give white roses to your boss as a thank you for your promotion, send white roses to your professor for going above and beyond in class, etc.
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Use white roses in bridal bouquets or at baby showers. White rose’s spiritual and symbolic connection to purity, innocence, and youth make them a perfect acknowledgment of new beginnings in marriage and the birth of a newborn!^{[5]
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- Because of their association with new beginnings, you can also send white roses to your loved ones for significant events like starting a new job or getting into college.

Section 3 of 4:

History

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The white rose was used by fighting factions in 15th-century England. Back in the 1500s, warring royal families fighting for control of England supposedly used roses as symbols to represent themselves. The House of York was signified by a white rose, whereas a red rose symbolized The House of Lancaster, leading the conflict to be referred to many years later as “The War of the Roses.”
- Funny enough, historians suggest that the name “The War of the Roses” is actually inaccurate and was coined as recently as the 19th century. Allegedly, while The House of Lancaster used white roses as one of their many symbols, The House of York only became associated with the red rose after William Shakespeare, among others, wrote about the bloody battles between the two houses.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 4:

Mythology of Red & Pink Roses

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Aphrodite’s lover Adonis turned white roses red with his blood. In ancient Greek mythology, it was believed that only white roses existed until the Goddess Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis, was mauled by a wild boar. As Aphrodite held his body and wept for him, Adonis’s blood stained the Earth a deep crimson, so much so that the white roses nearby turned red. ^{[7]
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- This myth is one of the many reasons why red roses have come to be associated with love, passion, and tragedy.
White roses are believed to be the first rose color in existence, so many folktales from around the world have blossomed in hopes of explaining how the other color varieties came to be. In one folktale of unknown origin, the white rose turned pink from blushing after being kissed by a young maiden.