Roses are a classic gift to give someone you like or love. They are beautiful flowers that convey romance and affection. When choosing roses as a gift, one of the important decisions is what color to select. The rose color can hold special meaning about your feelings toward the recipient. Let’s explore some of the most popular rose colors and what each hue expresses to help you pick the perfect roses.
Meaning of Red Roses
Red roses are the most traditional and commonly gifted color for roses. The red rose is an unequivocal symbol of romantic love and passion. Giving a dozen red roses conveys your deep affection and that you have feelings of love for the recipient. Red roses say “I love you” like no other flower can.
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Love, passion |
If you want to make your feelings of affection clear, red roses are the best choice. They will let that special someone know your heart is theirs. Red roses are perfect for your first Valentine’s Day together or to rekindle an existing romance.
Pink Roses for Crushes
Pink roses convey gentle emotions of joy, admiration and platonic affection. They say “I like you” or “I’m interested in getting to know you better” to a new crush or budding romance. The shades of pink have slightly different meanings:
| Light pink | Gratitude, grace, admiration |
| Dark pink | Thankfulness |
Giving pink roses shows you like someone and want to take things slowly as your relationship blossoms. Pink roses are the perfect way to say you appreciate someone who makes you happy. A bouquet of pretty pink roses can brighten their day and make your feelings known.
Yellow Roses for Friendship
Yellow roses symbolize friendship and caring. They are the ideal way to celebrate a special friend and show your platonic love. Yellow roses demonstrate the joy, warmth and companionship of friendship.
| Yellow | Friendship, joy, care |
Give yellow roses to a dear friend on their birthday, at graduation or to cheer them up when they are going through challenging times. The bright sunshiny hue of yellow roses will make a friend feel loved and lift their spirits.
Purple Roses for Enchantment
The unique color of purple roses indicates enchantment and magnetism in a new relationship. Purple is the color of mystique, fantasy and imagination. It refers to something special that makes the recipient stand apart from others.
| Purple | Enchantment, magnetism |
Send purple roses when you find someone intriguing and want to learn more about them. The magical aura of purple roses shows you are captivated and see them as someone very special.
Orange Roses for Desire
Orange roses communicate fiery passion and romantic desire. Orange roses convey passion and enthusiasm, especially in the early stages of romance. They express that you find someone attractive and are eager to take things to the next level.
| Orange | Desire, enthusiasm, passion |
Giving orange roses shows you find someone appealing and crave their affection in return. Orange roses send the message you want to turn an idealistic crush into a deeper connection.
White Roses for Purity
Traditionally white roses represent purity, innocence and new beginnings. They are often used in wedding bouquets to signify a happy future together. White roses can also express remembrance and pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away.
| White | Purity, remembrance, new beginnings |
Give white roses to highlight enduring love, celebrate a friend’s baptism or confirmation or at funerals. A bouquet of pristine white roses offers comfort and shows respect.
Multi-Colored Rose Bouquets
For the ultimate expression of your emotions, you can give a bouquet that contains roses in many colors. Multi-colored rose arrangements allow you to convey a whole spectrum of feelings. For example, red and pink together communicate your loving romantic sentiments. White and yellow together express warmth and a pure friendship.
Whatever shades of roses you select, the gift of roses shows you care. Adding ferns, baby’s breath, greenery and other accent flowers can further enhance your message. Let the blossoms speak for your heart when words are not enough.
Number of Roses to Give
In addition to rose color, the number of roses given also has symbolic meaning:
| 1 rose | Love at first sight |
| 3 roses | I love you |
| 6 roses | I want to be yours |
| 12 roses | Be mine |
| 15 roses | I’m truly sorry, please forgive me |
| 24 roses | Forever yours |
| 36 roses | I will remember our romantic moments |
| 40 roses | My love for you is genuine |
| 50 roses | Unconditional love |
| 99 roses | I will love you for eternity |
| 365 roses | A rose for every day of the year |
Rose Care Tips
To help your gift of roses last longer:
– Recut the stems at an angle before putting in water to allow them to absorb more water
– Use a clean vase and fill with room temperature water
– Add floral preservative or a teaspoon of sugar plus a penny to the vase water
– Display the roses out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating
– Replenish the water every couple of days
– Remove any petals or leaves that fall into the water to avoid bacterial growth
With proper care, cut roses can last up to a week or more before wilting. Changing the water regularly will maximize their freshness and beauty.
Conclusion
Roses are the quintessential flowers to give someone you like or love. With their many color options, roses allow you to send a personalized romantic message. Red roses declare passionate love, pink roses show gentle affection, yellow roses express friendly joy and other colors convey unique meanings. Choose the rose hues that speak from your heart, and let these beautiful blooms communicate your fondest feelings. Pair them with greenery in an artful arrangement tied with a ribbon. Roses thoughtfully given are sure to make someone’s day and show how much you care.
