Roses are a symbol of love, and they have been throughout history. A rose was used to symbolize love in ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Victorian times and in many religions including Christianity, Hinduism, and Polytheism. Roses, although possibly one of the most beautiful flowers on earth, also have sharp thorns. Just as much as flowers are a symbol of beauty, thorns are a symbol of sacrifice. This combination is what makes the rose the perfect symbol of love.

The history of Valentine’s Day goes back nearly as far as the symbolism of roses. The initial origin is still debated, but it is thought that Valentine’s Day started out as a Roman fertility festival that was later converted into a Christian holiday to celebrate Saint Valentine. Over time, the holiday became associated with Spring, love, and gifting “Valentines”.

Today, we have many ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day, but roses continue to be an important part of it. Let’s take a look at what different colored roses mean and which one you should get to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.

Red Roses

The classic red: a red rose is the truest symbol of love. Giving someone red roses symbolizes giving them your heart. Red roses are the most romantic of all the rose colors and there is a reason why they are the most popular rose for romantic relationships.

“The sweetest flower that blows, I give you as we part. For you it is a Rose, for me it is my heart.”

– Frederick Peterson, The Sweetest Flower That Blows

Dark Pink Roses

Pink is by far the most versatile rose color. Dark pink roses can signify gratitude, congratulations, or acknowledgement of love. If you are unclear on what color roses to get someone, pink is always a great choice. Pink is the perfect color to show your appreciation for someone you love dearly.

“In a rose, all love stories fit.”

– Efrat Cybulkiewicz

Light Pink Roses

The light pink rose is also quite versatile. Similar to dark pink, light pink is more gentle in nature and makes a good gift for someone you hold dear, like a sibling, daughter, or mother. Light pink is also a sign of gratitude and innocence.

“A profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring.” 

– William Carlos Williams, The Collected Later Poems of William Carlos Williams

White Roses

The white rose is very closely tied with innocence and new beginnings. The white rose is a good gift for someone in a new relationship or to symbolize a new love. There is a reason why white is such a popular wedding color.

“Just remember, during the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, that there’s a seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes a rose.”

– Bette Midler, The Rose

Yellow Roses

Yellow is a happy color, and yellow roses signify friendship. Stay away from yellow if you are in a romantic relationship, but yellow is the perfect color to give to a good friend or celebrate a Galentines.

“Friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.”

– Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Peach Roses

Peach roses show pure gratitude. If you have someone in your life you are genuinely thankful for, giving them peach roses is the perfect token of appreciation.

“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.”

– Leo Buscaglia

Orange Roses

Orange roses, similarly to yellow roses, are a symbol of friendship. However, being a mix of yellow and red, orange is a color that could show you are wanting to take a friendship to a new level. This is why orange roses can symbolize a friendship turning into a romantic relationship. However, orange roses also symbolize positive energy, passion, and great admiration and respect.

“A rose must remain with the sun and the rain or its lovely promise won’t come true.”

– Ray Evans

Lavender Roses

Purple is the color of royalty. A lavender rose is a regal and magical color. It is one of the rarest natural rose colors. Gifting someone lavender roses means that you think of them as enchanting, fascinating, and worthy of admiration. The lavender rose also symbolizes love at first sight.

“If the rose puzzled its mind over the question how it grew, it would not have been the miracle that it is.”

– J. B. Yeats

Roses are the Flowers of Love

“This love is the rose that blooms forever.”

– Rumi

In conclusion, all colors of roses are a beautiful symbol of love, but you can be intentional with the colors you choose to convey the perfect message behind your love.

Hopefully this post helped you determine which color of roses you are going to get for your Valentine. Or, if you received one of these rose colors, maybe this will help you interpret what they meant!

Leave a comment and let me know which color is your favorite, and why.