Initially Roses were a significant part of the Father’s Day celebration.
Origin: Sonora Smart Dodd, who is credited with the idea for Father’s Day, suggested that people wear a white rose to honor a deceased father and a red rose for a father who was living.
First Celebration: At the first Father’s Day celebration in 1910 in Spokane, Washington, young women handed out red roses to their fathers during a church service. Large baskets of roses were also passed around, and attendees were encouraged to pin on a rose in honor of their fathers, using red for the living and white for the deceased.
Symbolism: Roses are often associated with love and gratitude, making them a powerful way to express appreciation for a father’s support.
While the tradition of giving roses to fathers has faded over time, roses remain the official
flower of Father’s Day.
Today, various flowers are given to fathers to express love, appreciation, and admiration, each with its own symbolism.