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.

Many rose enthusiasts maintain that roses reflect the nature of life. All of us must overcome the thorns in life to achieve a sense of contentment and harmony.

You’ll be able to find the perfect cross stitch rose pattern with a little exploration. The patterns available include everything from standard rose bouquets to modern rose patterns by artists such as Rennie Mackintosh. You’ll even find Art Deco rose designs. The choices may seen overwhelming at first, but consider the likes and dislikes of the recipient. Also, don’t overlook the symbolic meaning of the various types of roses.

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.

Roses have five petals and for hundreds of years, Christians felt the petals represented Christ’s five wounds. The blood lost by Christian martyrs was symbolized by red roses.

The rose is a symbol of many cultures too. It is the national flower of England and the USA. The red rose is considered to be symbolic of socialism and social democracy. They are also used in heraldry and coats of arms. In England, The War of the Roses took place between the House of Lancaster, whose heraldic badge contained a red rose, and the House of York, who was represented by a white rose.

Flowers are thought to have meanings, and roses are no exception.

* 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.

* Yellow roses are for friendship, new starts, and platonic love. If the tips of the yellow rose’s petals are red, then the flower symbolizes falling in love. If you’re in Germany or any other country that speaks predominately German, avoid yellow roses. They’re thought to symbolize the green-eyed monster, jealousy, and infidelity.

* Pink roses are suitable when you appreciate the actions of another. If the pink is dark, then the rose symbolizes being grateful to another person. At the other end of the spectrum, light or pale pink roses convey being sympathetic toward the other person.

* Peach or orange roses symbolize fascination with another and feelings of desire and passion.

* 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.

The fun thing about utilizing a cross stitch rose pattern to create an heirloom for a special person is you can change the color of any of the roses. Simply alter the pattern to suit your needs.

If you alter the pattern, remember these ideas:

* 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.

* When you change the color of the rose, don’t forget to add shading. Shading gives the flowers a three-dimensional appearance. Don’t simply buy one color to stitch the rose.

* When in doubt, as for help. The employees at a craft store should be able to help you pick the right threads. Also, hold the threads next to each other so you can see how the shading will look. Moreover, don’t just consider the color of the roses when making your thread choice. Make certain the roses don’t clash with the material and the other threads you’ll be using on your cross stitch rose pattern.

If you consider the information above, you will be assured of choosing a great project — and much appreciated gift for that special someone.