Black And White Roses Offer Opposing Symbolism
When it comes to color, there could not be a more significant difference than that of black and white roses and same is true of the opposing difference in their symbolism. With white roses indicating purity and cleanliness and black roses symbolizing death and hatred.
While in movies and certain celebrations black roses are depicted, developing a true black rose has proven to be impossible. While some deep red color roses may appear to be black, the only black roses to be found have been artificially dyed. Black and white roses may appear together in certain celebrations, but the black rose was often seen as a sign of death or impending doom.
During the second World War, when a group known as the White Rose Society attempted to squash Hitler's regime, the use of the black rose was to symbolism the power of the Reich. They fought for defeating what they saw as traitors, hence the victory of black or white. During the movies of the old west in America there was always a symbolism of the good guys wearing white hats and the bad guy wearing black. The symbolism of black and white roses remains as staunch today as it was then.
Dark Celebrations Often Utilize Black Roses
In the Goth subculture, black often symbolizes a tragic romance and as such are used in other celebrations with darker meaning. They are also used in many birthday celebrations when a person reaches a certain age often described as being old. The black roses are usually white flowers dyed black and therefore a considered fake colors and a combination of black and white roses has not been created artificially or in the lab to make them more realistic.
It is common in literature for the black rose to be used as a symbol of murder or for creatures of the night such as vampires or other non-worldly beasts. They have also been used as a warning by placing them on the door of a person marked for death by crime gangs. However, black and white roses are never used together as the mixed message they would send would not be understood.
A close friend may send a single black rose to a person leaving for war on another trip from which they are not expected to return, while a single white rose may be sent to symbolize the hope that they remain true and return unharmed.
