Roses Are Red

"Roses are red, violets are blue" is the most parodied opening in English, but the pairing is old and literary: Edmund Spenser used "roses red, and violets blew" in The Faerie Queene in 1590. The children's Valentine version, ending "and so are you," reached print in 1784.

Origins

Precursors to the modern rhyme can be traced back to the sixteenth century in English literature. In Edmund Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene, published in England in 1590, a scene describes a lady bathing with "roses red, and violets blew" (using the older spelling of blue). The children's version commonly known today was first printed in 1784 in the compilation Gammer Gurton's Garland. That early version concluded with lines about drawing a Valentine name.

Meaning & Interpretation

The poem utilizes traditional flower symbolism to express affection. In historical European folklore, red roses have long been associated with love and passion, while blue violets represent loyalty and faithfulness. The mention of sweet sugar or honey reinforces the sweet nature of the person being addressed. Over the years, the rhyme has moved beyond traditional romance to become a popular template for school children's jokes, playground rhymes, and lighthearted parodies, where the final line is replaced with a humorous or unexpected twist.

What is the origin of Roses Are Red?

The nursery rhyme evolved from older literary references, including a 1590 line in Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene. The modern children's version was first printed in London in 1784 in the collection Gammer Gurton's Garland.

Where did the phrase Roses Are Red Violets Are Blue come from?

The phrase emerged in early English poetry to describe traditional flowers and colors. The specific combination was popularized as a children's Valentine's rhyme in the late eighteenth century, combining flower imagery with declarations of love.