A Guide to the Symbolism and Meaning of Roses
Humans have been giving flowers to loved ones for thousands of years, but perhaps no other flower has been given as a gift more than the rose. While the rose is often given as a symbol of romantic love, it is a suitable gift to express any form of admiration, appreciation, or friendship as well. Available in an array of varieties with majestic appearances and delightful aromas, roses can be the perfect day-brighteners for any special occasion or celebration.
A Global Expression of Love
No matter who you give roses to, the meaning and message are usually clearly understood in every culture. Roses are usually a florist’s best-selling floral variety. If you take a look at PickupFlowers.com, you’ll see just how many different options they have for you to choose from. This service gives its customers the ability to order and send a huge selection of flowers around the world. Whether you want to express your love with traditional red roses or go for something more unique, they have something that will put a smile on someone’s face.
With that basic meaning out of the way, here's a quick colour guide to help you decide which kind of roses to buy for your upcoming special occasion:
Red Roses are for Romance
While a bouquet of red roses doesn't always mean that the person giving them is madly in love with the recipient, in general, this colour is known to represent romantic feelings. In fact, one could logically deduce that red roses are the reason why red is the official colour of Valentine's Day. The red rose is also the centrepiece for the classic “she loves me, she loves me not” petal-picking game, although this superstitious ritual can technically be done with any flower.
White Roses are for Weddings
White roses are supposed to symbolize purity, loyalty, and reverence, which makes them perfect gifts for weddings, honeymoons, graduations, and other monumental ceremonies. White roses have a creamy, off-white appearance that makes them the perfect match for wedding gowns, cakes, and decorations. They can also be used as edible garnishes for a wedding cake.
Yellow, Pink, Purple, Orange, and Blue Roses are for Baby Showers and Birthdays
While yellow, pink, purple, and orange roses are less common than their red and white counterparts, they certainly have their place in the gift-giving spectrum. While less common, there are also blue and orange roses that are good for celebrating the upcoming birth of a baby boy. Likewise, pink and yellow roses are great for girl baby showers and birthdays.
Don't Forget Multi-Coloured Bouquets
If you're not so strict about the specific symbolism involved, you could just play it safe by sending a mixed bouquet. Many online rose vendors will offer several different kinds of bouquets in all different sizes and floral combinations, so you could spend a decent amount of time just shopping around for this gift. One thing's for sure, you won't accidentally get them the wrong color if you take this approach because their favorite color rose is bound to be in there somewhere.
