The blue rose is a striking bloom whose color is not found in nature, immediately setting it apart from its red, pink, and yellow relatives. Because the blue hue cannot naturally develop in the Rosa genus, the flower’s existence is a product of human intervention. This biological fact has given the blue rose a potent and distinct symbolism throughout history, distinguishing its meaning from the straightforward messages associated with other rose colors.
Symbolism of the Impossible
The primary meaning of the blue rose is rooted in its association with the unattainable, representing a desire for something that cannot be had. This powerful symbolism speaks to the pursuit of an ideal or a dream that seems just beyond reach. The flower embodies a sense of longing for an aspiration or a love that is elusive and mysterious.
The blue rose also signifies deep mystery and intrigue, suggesting an appreciation for the enigmatic nature of a person or a situation. Unlike a red rose, which communicates passionate love, or a white rose, which conveys purity, the blue rose offers a more complex, unspoken sentiment. Gifting this flower acknowledges the recipient’s unique, extraordinary nature, which may be difficult to fully decipher.
The color blue itself contributes to this interpretation, as it evokes the vastness of the sky and the depth of the ocean. This connection reinforces the themes of extraordinary beauty and the quiet, persistent hope for a seemingly impossible outcome. It is a symbol for the dreams we chase.
Cultural Origins of the Meaning
The symbolism of the blue rose as an impossible object became established through its frequent appearance in literature and folklore. In historical narratives, the flower often functioned as a magical quest item, a token that could grant wishes or unlock extraordinary events. This narrative device consistently reinforced the flower’s status as something rare and highly sought after.
In 19th-century Romantic literature, authors helped cement this meaning by using the blue rose to symbolize perfect, idealized love. German writer Novalis, for example, used the “Blue Flower” as a central motif for the pursuit of the infinite and the spiritual, equating it with an impossible dream. This idea of the elusive, ultimate prize spread across Europe.
Ancient legends also contributed to its mythos, such as a Chinese tale where an emperor promised his daughter’s hand to whoever could present a blue rose. These stories highlighted the lengths people would go to obtain the flower, further solidifying its meaning of the extraordinary and the unattainable.
The Horticultural Reality
The reason roses do not naturally produce a blue pigment is that they lack the gene required to synthesize delphinidin, the compound responsible for true blue colors in flowers like pansies and delphiniums. For centuries, the only way to achieve a blue rose was by artificially dyeing white roses. This involves drawing up blue dye through the stem’s vascular system, leading to a vibrant, blue-colored flower.
In the early 21st century, scientists successfully developed a genetically modified rose that accumulates delphinidin. The ‘Suntory Blue Rose Applause’ was created through a collaboration between the Japanese company Suntory and the Australian firm Florigene. Researchers inserted a gene from a pansy into a rose’s genome to enable the production of the blue pigment.
Despite this breakthrough, the genetically engineered rose still presents a lavender or mauve hue, rather than a pure blue, due to the high acidity level in the rose petals. This acidity affects the delphinidin, preventing it from expressing its true blue color. While the ‘Applause’ rose is a scientific achievement, the quest for a truly, naturally blue rose continues.