Why A Cross Stitch Rose Pattern Is So Very Special
Julia Wigham
If you ask people to name their favourite flowers, it is likely that they will place roses high on their lists. Roses are very popular, and have been named the Queen of flowers, possibly because of their beauty -- creating a wide expanse of color in the garden, and valued for their heady fragrance too. There are thousands of varieties that differ in shape of blooms, size, fragrance and some even lack thorns. Roses are so popular you cannot go far wrong when stitching a cross stitch rose pattern.
It has even been said that the rose provides a metaphor for life itself. Traditionally, they have thorny stems that rise to fragrant blossoms, indicating that if you struggle with problems you will eventually discover peace, harmony and beauty.
It is easy to find charts and kits of rose designs; these can vary from the traditional bunch of roses or samplers to the more modern -- Rennie Mackintosh designs or Art Deco. Of course, which design you choose is up to you, and also what you may consider to be the preferences of the lucky recipient of your project. However, it is advisable to consider the symbolism of roses. This may affect your choice of cross stitch rose pattern.
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.
Cultures around the globe view roses symbolically. For instance, both England and the United States have the rose as the national flower. Some coats of arms have roses, and the red variety is considered to be a symbol of social democracy. Famously, the House of Lancaster and the House of York fought the War of the Roses in England. Roses of two different colors represented these two houses -- Lancaster was red, York was white.
When it comes to flowers, many people believe they have meanings. These meanings are the result not only of the type of flower by also the color and even the shape.
* 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.
* A pink rose symbolises grace and appreciation and a dark pink colour conveys gratitude. Light pink roses mean admiration and sympathy.
* Peach or orange roses symbolize fascination with another and feelings of desire and passion.
* A white rose symbolises purity and innocence, especially in white rosebud form. Typically, a bride will choose white roses; this may be interpreted as a new start in life. A white rose can also indicate reverence, humility and friendship.
Finding the perfect cross stitch rose pattern sometimes is a little difficult. You may find a design you like, but the color of the roses may be all wrong. The solution to this dilemma is easy. Simply change the color of the roses.
Here are some tips to help you:
* 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.
* If you are unsure about which colors to use, take your kit to your local needlecrafts shop. There, you can place the threads together to check that they look good. Remember the other colors in your cross stitch rose pattern, for example, the stems, or maybe other flowers, and the fabric itself when you are choosing a new color. You will not wish for the colors to clash! Your friendly retailer may even enjoy helping you if he or she is not too busy.
Keep these tips in mind, and you're certain to create a great rose pattern that will delight a friend or family member.
Julia Wigham is an experienced writer and co-owner of Patterns Patch http://www.patternspatch.com/ cross stitch forums. An online cross stitch club whose subscribers get free: patterns, articles and tutorials. Come to our lively => http://www.patternspatchblog.com/ cross stitch blogs right now.
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