The ancient Greeks and Romans also associated the rose with a number of gods and goddesses, and had several traditions surrounding roses.
In ancient Rome, for example, a wild rose was placed on the door of a room where confidential business was taking place. For this reason, the term “sub rosa,” or “under the rose,” was derived as a term for keeping something secret.
Because of the timelessness of roses, they have remained as a popular choice for tattoos for years. Rose tattoos have a long history, and are even known to date back to the early 1930s.
It was not uncommon to see sailors or military men with small rose flower tattoos as symbols of their girlfriends, wives, or mothers. There are many popular designs for rose tattoos, however, smaller, minimalistic designs have been all the rage as of late.
If you choose to highlight the daintiness and femininity of a little rose, consider using dot shading or crisp, thin linework. If you would like to enhance the beauty of the classic rose, consider adding a design around it. However, if you want a darker, edgier feel, consider getting a rose silhouette or using darker, bolder lines.
You can even have more fun with the design by tattooing a small, simple and minimalistic rose in red ink. Not only is this idea more interesting and original, but it highlights the classic color of the rose.