A rose: What does this mean?

So what is it? It's the seal of the great reformer Martin Luther that has continued to be used to this day. Many a book has this image printed or imprinted on it, it can be found in churches and even on jewelry. Like many images and good traditions of the past, sometimes the meaning gets lost or forgotten as it's explanation is not passed on down to the next generation. Just try asking someone about why some pastors wear vestments and others don't. You mean there's actually symbolism there that points to Christ? Here is the explanation of Luther's Rose:

"The Luther Rose is the most well-known symbol of Lutheranism.


Here is how Martin Luther explained it:

First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal. (Letter to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain)"

WA Weimar Edition of Luther’s Works
Concordia : The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2005, S. 254

Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria