Giving roses to someone [1] can say many different things — I'm sorry, I love you, cheer up, thank you, and so on. And choosing roses for all of these occasions isn't surprising. They're beautiful, they smell amazing, and they come in a ton of different colors. But did you know that each color actually has a very specific meaning? Yeah, so if you were thinking of giving someone special a bouquet of roses [2], you might want to make sure the color isn't actually appropriate for funerals (queue the awkward silence). Keep reading to see a breakdown of what every color means, so you're armed with the right information and ready to purchase.
- Red: Traditional red roses definitely hint at love and romance [4], so if you got them from your significant other, things are looking good. They also signify beauty and perfection.
- Pink: Gentler in shade than their red counterparts, pink roses have many meanings, including admiration, gratitude, elegance, gracefulness, and joy.
- Yellow: As you would expect from such a bright, cheerful color, yellow roses [5] convey cheer and joy and are a great flower to express friendship (i.e. these are NOT what you want your significant other to send you!).
- Dark Crimson: This deeper color is appropriate for funerals, as it conveys grief and sorrow [6].
- White: White is the color of purity, so it's no surprise that white roses [7] represent innocence. They go along with the white dress at many weddings, where they also symbolize new beginnings.
- Orange: Someone may be looking to spice things up with fiery orange roses [8], which are traditionally the color of passion and desire.
- Blue: You may be someone's secret crush if you receive a bouquet of blue roses [9], which represent mystery and intrigue.
- Peach: These "thank-you" roses are the perfect way to show appreciation or gratitude [10].
- Lavender: If you receive a bouquet of lavender roses, things could get very interesting, as they represent love at first sight [11].
- Salmon: With a hue that falls somewhere between orange and peach, salmon roses [12] symbolize desire and excitement and are a great choice for a new relationship.
- Purple: It was Prince's favorite color for a reason — in addition to its associations with pride and enchantment, the purple rose [13] also has ties to royalty.
- Burgundy: They might be a little too subdued for romantic holidays like Valentine's Day, but burgundy roses [14], which represent "unconscious beauty," are a great choice for Wintertime decorations.