Meanings of Rose Bouquets
Rose bouquets have always been synonymous with romance and beauty, but what is their true meaning? Since the Victorian era, meaning has been attached to roses beyond the classic bouquet of a dozen red roses. The book The Language of Flowers by Jean Marsh, published in 1884, made popular the notion of attaching meaning to flowers, remains a standard point of reference. If you're thinking of sending a message with a bouquet of roses, consider the following rose bouquet meanings to say all you need without words.
Most Traditional: A Dozen Red Roses
Is your love like a red, red rose? The most classic expression of this love is with a dozen red roses. The red rose represents deep love and appreciation. The number twelve has long been attached with the symbolic giving of roses, as it is significant within nature (months in the year, hours on the clock, etc.), representing perfection and completeness.
Significance of Rose Colors
While the red rose remains the most popular, other colors can signify further meaning beyond the classic “Be Mine.”
White: The white rose is known as “the bridal rose.” White roses represent spiritual love and purity. If your true love is far away, this rose can express a heartfelt “I miss you.”
Pink: Pink roses convey appreciation, gratitude, admiration, grace, or sympathy. An excellent choice as to say “thank you” or to let someone know they are in your thoughts.
Yellow: With their cheery hue, yellow roses connote friendship, joy, and the promise of a new beginning. Appropriate for any joyous occasion or new endeavor, yellow roses are certain to brighten anyone’s day.
Orange: A less traditional shade, it’s not surprising that the bold orange rose signifies passion, desire, and fascination. Be it a new relationship or a new business partnership, an orange rose expresses enthusiasm like no other.
Lavender: Always making a striking impression, lavender roses express love at first sight. Roses in darker purple appear regal and majestic, and go even further to express true admiration.
Mixed Roses: When you’re feeling more than a single color can express, choosing to mix a bouquet of blooms can represent the sentiments of each color you include.
How Many Roses to Give
In addition to the color of the roses you send, the number can indicate your feelings for the recipient.
One: Appropriate for a first date, or to signify love at first sight. Later in a relationship, a single rose communicates “I’ll love you always.”
Three: A traditional one-month anniversary gift, the three roses represent each member of the couple, plus the love shared between them.
Thirteen: Adding an extra rose to the dozen means “friends forever.”
Fifty: This ample bouquet represents limitless, boundless love, and can be the perfect accompaniment to a marriage proposal.
It’s no surprise that roses are widely known as the most popular flower in the world, with well over 100 million roses sold on Valentine’s Day every year. With whatever message you hope to convey, roses are a classic and elegant gift that will always be in season.
