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.

One reason so many people are fascinated by roses is how they symbolize life's struggles and achievements. If you survive the thorns of life, you're rewarded with loveliness and contentment.

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.

Aphrodite and Venus were two Greek goddesses of love. Roses were used to identify these lovely ladies. Another tradition involving roses comes from Italy. To tell others that a confidential meeting was taking places, roses were put on the room's door. This tradition produced the term 'sub rosa' because the meeting was taking place 'under the rose,' which in turn meant a secret was being kept.

Many centuries ago, Christians considered the five petals of the rose to symbolise the five wounds of Christ, and the red rose was used to symbolise the blood of Christian martyrs.

Many cultures feel the rose is symbolic. For both England and the United States, the rose is the national flower. For many people, social democracy and socialism are symbolized by red roses. Roses can be found on many coats of arm. Moreover, the English War of the Roses was fought by two groups, the House of Lancaster and the House of York, that were represented by roses. The House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose while the House of York 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 depict a relationship based on friendship and love that's platonic. Some people feel yellow roses stand for starting over or beginning anew. In the case of a yellow rose that has petal tips highlighted with red, the flower symbolizes falling in love. Not all countries regard a yellow rose the same way. In Germany, and countries that speak German, a yellow rose depicts jealousy and infidelity.

* Pink roses are thought to denote appreciation and grace. If the pink is dark, then the giver is supposedly grateful. If, however, the petals are a light pink, then the message is one of sympathy and admiration.

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

* White roses are always popular, especially with brides. They depict innocence and purity. White rosebuds are always in demand because they symbolize starting a new life. Some people feel white roses also stand for 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.

Before you start, keep these hints in mind:

* If you find you need to use threads of a different color, buy the same brand as the other threads. Threads from different cross stitch companies can vary in appearance, so always utilize the same thread brand.

* The shading of the roses will vary. You'll want to buy several shades of the same color. By having subtle shading, your roses will appear much more realistic.

* Craft shops can be a huge help when you're deciding what threads you'll need. You'll be able to test the threads by putting them next to each other. This way, you can guarantee that the finished flowers will look great. As you decide which colors to use, don't forget about the other colors in your cross stitch rose pattern. You'll want to consider the material and any other stitching that will appear in the pattern.

Keep these tips in mind as you select a different color for the roses. With a little bit of upfront preparation, you're bound to create an amazing project for a special person in your life.