Rose
The rose can represent love, closeness and loss. Color and occasion provide the context; a petal cannot create feelings in another person.
Updated
Which plant is it?
Roses include many species and cultivars. A florist’s bouquet, food-grade petals and rose oil are not interchangeable products.
The illustration is a study aid. Use a botanical identification reference or a qualified specialist before collecting plants for consumption.
Symbolism and ritual meaning
Love: a flower can accompany an honestly expressed feeling and respect for the other person’s response.
Remembrance: a dried rose from a particular occasion carries a personal history. Describe it rather than looking only for a universal meaning.
A personal ritual with rose
Place a dried petal beside a letter you want to write. Name your feeling and what you wish to communicate.
For a self-care ritual, write one promise to yourself that you can keep during the week.
Precautions
Do not use treated decorative flowers in tea, food or homemade cosmetics. Follow the stated intended use of a prepared rose product.
Sources and further reading
The sources cover botanical names and herbal-product precautions. The ritual exercises are suggestions for symbolic practice.