Why The Blue Rose?

The Blue Rose Cases. 

How did the blue rose become so important in referring to strange mysteries and cases? 

Blue roses have been held as sacred to certain religions worldwide (if not all). They represent the spiritual journey, the pursuit of truth, knowledge, and spiritual growth, as well as bridging the spiritual world with that of our own. They are the sign of divine love and spiritual enlightenment. Also, they help us to achieve our spiritual goals.

From this, we discover that the Blue Rose is important to Twin Peaks with all these religious symbolism. We know the Blue Rose side of the F.B.I. wants to pursue the truth and knowledge of everything that goes on mysteriously in our world. We know that our beloved Agent Dale Cooper is all about spiritual growth and enlightenment through Tibetan Buddhism, and uses them to help solve the case (which we could consider a spiritual goal in his life). Dr. Albert Rosenfield also gave a speech to Sheriff Truman which clearly reveals his beliefs lie in Hinduism in terms of Ghandi and King. This is an expression of divine love. And it seems Agent Cooper, Deputy Director Gordon Cole, and Dr. Albert Rosenfield have divine love in common.

“While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is that I’m a naysayer and hatchet man in the fight against violence. I pride myself in taking a punch and I’ll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method… is love” -Albert Rosenfield

Now, in a non-religious view, the blue rose is the symbol of mystery, rarity, and romance. This defines all of Twin Peaks and the Lynchian Universe as a whole. There is romance and a plethora of mysteries underlying the soap opera-ish feel of Twin Peaks and within the darkness within the remainder of Lynch's cinematic works. As for the rarity part... that's the only part of the symbolism that doesn't match up since the Blue Roses Cases seem beyond numerous and are investigated under our very noses.

Another discovery about blue roses is a 1969 song called Roses Blue by Joni Mitchell from her Clouds album. 

ROSES BLUE by JONI MITCHELL

I think of tears, I think of rain on shingles

I think of rain, I think of roses blue

I think of Rose, my heart begins to tremble

To see the place she's lately gotten to

Gotten to, gotten to

She's gotten to mysterious devotions

She's gotten to the zodiac and Zen

She's gotten into tarot cards and potions

She's laying her religion on her friends

On her friends, on her friends

Friends who come to ask her for their future

Friends who come to find they can't be friends

Because of signs and seasons that don't suit her

She'll prophesy your death, she won't say when

Won't say when, won't say when

When all the black cards come you cannot barter

No, when all your stars are stacked you cannot win

She'll shake her head and treat you like a martyr

It is her blackest spell she puts you in

Puts you in, puts you in

In sorrow she can lure you where she wants you

Inside your own self-pity there you swim

In sinking down to drown her voice still haunts you

And only with your laughter can you win

Can you win, can you win

You win the lasting laurels with your laughter

It reaches like an arm before you sink

To win the solitary truth you're after

You dare not ask the priestess how to think

How to think, how to think

I think of tears, I think of rain on shingles

I think of rain, I think of roses blue

I think of Rose, my heart begins to tremble

To see the place she's lately gotten to

Gotten to, gotten to

This song is about the malevolent possibilities of the occult, which we well know was Mark Frost's part of the Twin Peaks Universe. We also know Mark Frost's influence on the topic led to further occultic-like themes in Lynch's subsequent works. Could it also be like what sprung the story Blue Velvet with the song of the same name by Bobby Vinton? Was Joni Mitchell's song Roses Blue part of the influence behind the Blue Rose? 

We'll never know if there is any suspicion to be had that the F.B.I. could be an occult of its own or a great rival against others. If they are occultists, taking on mysteries to solve and studying supernatural forces for their own power, we're doomed to whatever apocalypse of evil comes. If not, we can all be assured that we're all in good hands for the time being. 

Thank you for reading this article. Feel free to share your thoughts, theories, and debates in the comment section below. If interested, there is Twin Peaks... From Another Place group on Facebook and Discord to join. Also, feel free to check out my Twin Peaks: Chasing A Blue Rose fanfic series prequel, Twin Peaks: The Birdwatcher, published here and on Archives Of Our Own. Thanks again!!

Thanks again. See you in the trees.