Are you looking for an expression to describe something beautiful? You could use “a rose is a rose is a rose” to describe something of beauty. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression “a rose is a rose is a rose” means that something is beautiful for what it is. It means that beauty has many different ways to display itself in life. In other words. You might find beauty in a beautiful, blooming rose with an intoxicating scent. Or you could find beauty in an object like a Ferrari sports car.
It also refers to external and internal beauty. For instance, someone could be unattractive in their appearance to others, but they have a beautiful, warming, and caring personality that makes people like them. The saying applies to situations where you see the beauty in life in any form.
“A rose is a rose is a rose” means that beauty is subjective and different for everyone, but it carries a standardized theme across all perceptions.
Example Usage
“A rose is a rose is a rose. No matter how you look at things, she’s a beautiful person and a shining example of the kind of character we need in our community.”
“Yes, life is beautiful on many accounts. A rose is a rose is a rose, and when you get past the evil that men do, you find that life is something very special and worth treasuring.”
“A rose is a rose is a rose. What else can I say about this? That Ferrari is a special creation and a real thing of beauty.”
“My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world. A rose is a rose is a rose, and my heart belongs to no one else but her.”
“My love, you know that a rose is a rose is a rose. Your beauty is like no other, and it mesmerizes me every time I look at you.”
Origin
The expression, “a rose is a rose is a rose” is a derivative of the original Shakespeare quote, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The two sayings have similar meanings, but Shakespeare articulated his version some 300+ years before Gertrude Stein would publish her version.
Stein wrote the poem “Sacred Emily” in 1913, publishing it in 1922. The expression appears in the poem as follows.
“Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose
Loveliness extreme.
Extra gaiters,
Loveliness extreme.
Sweetest ice-cream.
Pages ages page ages page ages.”
Phrases Similar to A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
- A spade is a spade.
- A leopard can’t change its spots.
- A rose by any other name.
Phrases Opposite to A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
- Complete opposites.
- And now for something completely different.
What is the Correct Saying?
- A rose is a rose is a rose.
- A rose is a rose.
Ways People May Say A Rose is a Rose is a Rose Incorrectly
Some people may use the phrase with an ironic or sarcastic connotation. However, “a rose is a rose is a rose” is a positive expression and usually suits situations where you’re trying to describe the beauty in life. You’re not using the phrase when talking about roses specifically. The “rose” in the saying refers to beauty, wonderment, love, and other positive attributes or emotions.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
You can use the phrase “a rose is a rose is a rose” when you’re trying to tell someone that something is the same, regardless of how you intend to package it. It’s a way of saying that you can’t hide the true nature of something by redesigning or reworking it.
The phrase applies to people, places, situations, objects, etc. Typically, the term has a positive connotation rather than a negative one. It’s suitable for describing the beauty in life and good things that happen to you or other people.