rose in allusive or emblematic use, the rose typifies surpassing qualities of beauty, fragrance, and colour; it may also be referred to in contrast or relation to its thorns.

Roses are the emblem of St Teresa of Lisieux, St Elizabeth of Hungary, and the Peruvian St Rose of Lima (1586–1617).
no rose without a thorn proverbial saying, late Middle English, meaning that even the pleasantest circumstances have their drawbacks. The same idea is found earlier in Latin, in the works of the Alexandrian-born Latin poet Claudian (370–c.404) has, ‘a thorn arms roses, bees conceal their honey.’
not the rose but near it not ideal but approaching or near this; the earliest version in English is found in an early 19th century translation of the Gulistan by the Persian poet Sadi (c.1213 to c.1291).
Rose Bowl a football stadium at Pasadena, California, used to designate a football match played between rival college teams annually on New Year's Day at the conclusion of the local Tournament of Roses. The Super Bowl is named after this.
a rose by any other name an allusive reference to Shakespeare' Romeo and Juliet (1597), ‘That which we call a Rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.’
rose-coloured spectacles suggesting a view of something that is unduly favourable, optimistic, or idealistic; recorded from the mid 19th century.
rose noble a gold coin current in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, being a variety of the noble with the figure of a rose stamped upon it, and of varying value at different times and places.
rose of Sharon an unidentified flower, translating a Hebrew phrase in the Song of Solomon 2:1, ‘I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.’ (The translators of the Revised Version explain the flower as ‘the autumn crocus’.)
rose-red city the ancient city of Petra, from a poem by the English clergyman John William Burgon (1813–88).
Rose Theatre a theatre in Southwark, London, built in 1587. Many of Shakespeare' plays were performed there, some for the first time. Remains of the theatre, which was demolished c.1605, were uncovered in 1989.
rose window a circular window with mullions or tracery radiating in a form suggestive of a rose.
under the rose in secret, sub rosa.

See also roses.