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Inspiration in the color rose red.

Learn the history and meaning of the color rose red, a shade as red as roses — and then some.

Design with rose red

Get inspired with rose red design templates.

The color rose red is closer to red than pink, and borrows from the symbolism of each for a lasting sense of romance and intensity.

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What is the meaning of the color rose red?

Rose red color is an intense shade of red. Picture the world augmented with even richer colors than the naked eye perceives. In that stunning frame, the color rose red takes the classic rose color and overlays more red. This concentrated rosy hue evokes energy and passion, preserving the best of red and pink, its two primary influences.

The color rose red can be a soft substitute for red or an intense substitute for rose. It’s an enduring shade that brings beauty to all it touches.

The history of rose red color.

The rose that inspired the color rose red.

The cultivation of roses began roughly 5,000 years ago in Ancient China. The flower gained repute as a covetable bloom as cultivation spread into the Middle East and Ancient Rome. The color rose was first used as a color name in 1382, and later the concept of rose red color (a more intense shade of rose that better matches red roses) was born.

The symbolism of rose red color.

Roses of all shades have been used since ancient times to send messages to those who receive them. A yellow rose makes a statement about friendship. White roses symbolize purity and innocence. Red roses convey love and passion. Rose red color matches the rich crimson of red roses, which the classic pink-magenta of so-called “rose color” curiously does not.

Rose red color takes “rose” back.

The color rose — often confused with rose red color — was the first color named after the long stem flower. However, it’s actually a shade of pink. Most romance languages use a variation of the word “rose” for pink, too. Look to the classic song recorded by Édith Piaf, “La Vie en Rose” (meaning “life in pink,” or “life through rose colored glasses”). Since the start of the color revolution of synthetic dyes and new color names, the color rose red has taken a stand on what being rose colored is all about.

The color rose red across different cultures.

Cities with rose red color reputations.

The British historian John William Burgon famously described Petra, Jordan as a city made all the more beautiful by the color rose red. “Match me such marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose red city — half as old as time!” In Northern Africa, the city Marrakech, Morocco was affectionately named Rose City because of its countless buildings in shades of rose red color. On the other side of the world, Portland, Oregon is nicknamed “The Rose City” because of the number of rose gardens there.

The color rose red in the Catholic Church.

Colors acquire religious meanings everywhere in the world. The Catholic Church has its own sense of meaning around the color rose red. Rose red garments are donned by priests on the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. Priests might also wear rose red color robes on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent.

Rose red color in fashion and interior design.

The color rose red is rooted in design, fashion, and décor as a vivid red with purple undertones that cool it ever so slightly. Rose red is less intense than pure red, so it works well to enliven a color palette without overpowering it. The color rose red is most commonly used as an accent color in interiors and accessories.