11 Rose Colors and Meanings to Know Before Sending a Bouquet
Of course bright red symbolizes romance—but what about peach?
A rose by any other name may smell just as sweet, but when you're gifting these beautiful buds it's important to take note of different rose colors and meanings. You don't need to be a poet or a Shakespearean lead to understand that a red rose differs from a white one. Sure, we associate all types of roses with romance, but there's actually a lot of sub-type variation. And since they're a popular gift to give no matter the occasion, it's worth knowing the symbolic meanings of flowers to make sure that the bouquet you choose sends the right message. You don't want to accidentally profess your love to your coworker or offer a bouquet of friendship to your crush this Valentine's Day. Luckily, we're here to help. Ahead, we break down the rose colors and meanings of the 11 most popular varieties.
When you combine different rose colors, you can present your loved one with a bouquet that's personalized and specific to them. But whether you're buying roses for a special occasion or just to adorn your dining room table, it goes much further than simply choosing the hue that catches your eye. Like crystals, tarot cards, and even plants, you can use different color roses to manifest what you hope to bring into your life. Read on to find out what red roses, white roses, and even purple roses mean ahead of Valentine's Day, then shop for modern interpretations.
Maroon Roses: Eternal Love and Beauty
Soulful and deep like a glass of merlot, these dark red roses epitomize love and beauty. Given their rich hue, they tend to be more sophisticated and grounded than a classic, bright red option. The warmth and seriousness of dark red roses makes them the perfect way to express affection and loyalty.
Symbolism: Loyalty, love, and eternal beauty
BUY NOW McQueen's Flowers Cherish Bouquet, $200
Bright Red Roses: Romance
These are Valentine's Day classics for a reason! Signifying love, commitment, and romance, these vibrant roses are the perfect bouquet to gift your partner any day of the year. They'll fill a room with their heady fragrance and ignite some passion.
Symbolism: Commitment, romance, respect, and passion
BUY NOW Winston Flowers Two Dozen Long-Stemmed Roses in Box, $200
Hot Pink Roses: Flirtation and Fun
A mix between the grown-up passion of bright red roses and the sweet modesty of light pink roses, hot pink roses are a happy medium that adopts qualities of each end of the spectrum. Think youthful passion and sweetness but with an attitude!
Symbolism: Excitement, curiosity, flirtation, and creativity
BUY NOW Ode à la Rose Tilda Bouquet, $142
Pale Pink Roses: Sweetness and Self-Love
These roses evoke soft-spoken grace and kindheartedness. While they're definitely romantic, they're less overtly so than, say, bright red roses, and less playful than their brighter pink counterparts. As a more muted tint of pink, they have a humble profile and won't overwhelm a neutral palette. They also often represent self-love, making them a great gift to give yourself.
Symbolism: Sweetness, peace, and tenderness
BUY NOW 1-800-Flowers 24 Pink Petal Roses, $60
Blue Roses: Mystery
Blue roses don't actually exist in nature, but that hasn't stopped humans from making them happen. Because of this, they evoke mystery and commitment. They also add a bit of quirk to a bouquet, so if you or a loved one appreciates out-of-the-box thinking, this may be just the flower for you and them.
Symbolism: Tranquility, resilience, strength, rarity, and uniqueness
BUY NOW Venus et Fleur Baby Blue Mini Square, $98
Lavender Roses: Enchantment
Because purple is created with some blue pigment, it can carry with some associations of the impossible with it. Purple roses are utterly enchanting and magical, which makes them arguably the most romantic roses of all. They're great for a budding romance.
Symbolism: Majesty, uniqueness, wisdom, and mystery
BUY NOW Farmgirl Flowers Terms of Endearment Bouquet, $99
Dark Purple Roses: Intrigue and Majesty
Moody, mysterious, and deeply sensual, dark purple roses bring intensity to any bouquet. The undertone of black makes them mystifying, pensive, brooding, and somewhat serious. These unusual buds are fit for a winter bouquet or any arrangement that needs a touch of sharpness.
Symbolism: Royalty, enlightenment, and spirituality
BUY NOW UrbanStems The Ghosted, $75
Warm White Roses: Innocence and Purity
Some white roses err on the light-pink side, while others appear greener, with cooler undertones. Light white roses with pinker undertones can freshen up warm bouquets.
Symbolism: Innocence, purity, elegance, and spirituality
BUY NOW Bouqs French Linen Bouquet, $74
Cool White Roses: New Beginnings and Peace
You can also find some white roses that look creamy, with a buttery yellow base. They're common in wedding ceremonies because of their association with marriage, but they're also quite popular in arrangements marking life's more somber moments.
Symbolism: New beginnings, growth, and peace
BUY NOW UrbanStems The Manor Bouquet, $68
Coral and Peach Roses: Warmth and Loyalty
Light orange-pink, coral, and peachy roses are often associated with platonic and professional occasions. As a result, they're great blooms to spotlight in a bouquet when it's time to say "thank you" or celebrate a budding relationship, due to their energizing, transitional color.
Symbolism: Warmth, support, loyalty, and enthusiasm
BUY NOW UrbanStems The Firecracker Bouquet, $68
Yellow Roses: Friendship
Historically, yellow roses haven't had the best connotations (jealousy was a common one), but today they're much more lighthearted. These sunny roses radiate warmth and cheer. They can range from marigold to vibrant lemon to paler buttercream, and look quite fresh and avant-garde when paired with unexpected blue florals, like an edgy electric blue orchid.
Symbolism: Friendship, warmth, joy, youth, energy
BUY NOW Bouqs Buttercream Bouquet, $49
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