A rose window (from the Latin rose)[1]​ is a circular openwork window, equipped with stained glass, whose tracery is generally arranged radially.

The rose window was mainly used on the facades of Gothic churches, reaching its greatest splendor in Gothic architecture. In the Romanesque it was usually of small diameter and was arranged as an oculus on the sides of the naves "Nave (architecture)").

From the 19th century onwards, however, the rosettes increased in size and complexity of decoration, reaching incredible degrees of stone filigree. They began to be located on the facades, above the portals, and on each of the fronts of the transept. Stained glass windows were usually decorated with biblical scenes in bright colors.

A double symbolism has been attributed to the rose window: a Marian one, due to the appearance it has of the structure of a rose; another that suggests Christ, as an imitation of the sun's rays.

Its mission is also double: on the one hand, the simplest one is to illuminate the interior of the temples; on the other hand, achieving a mysterious atmosphere by hitting the altar "Altar (religion)") with the rays filtered by the multicolored stained glass windows when the rose windows open in the front of the central nave.

As one of the most representative examples of the artistic sublimity that a rose window can contain, the couple that adorns the transept of Notre Dame in Paris is often cited.

In Spain there are several designs, such as the Gothic Eye in the Cathedral of Santa María in Palma de Mallorca, that of the Cathedral of Mondoñedo or also those of the Cathedral of León, the Cathedral of Seville and the Cathedral of Burgos among many others.

It may also refer to the ornamental flower present on the Corinthian and Composite capitals.

Concentric ring used as a finishing decoration on faucets, pipes, plumbing, lamps, sconces, etc.[1]​.