When expressing your romantic feelings toward a special someone, you can never go wrong with a fresh bouquet of roses.

Roses, unlike any other flowers, have always been linked to love, beauty, and romance - no wonder why they sell like pancakes on the annual celebration of love - the Valentine’s Day. But only a few know that roses come in different colors, and they may convey different meanings - not only romantic love.

Roses are red, violets are blue. But roses come in pink, orange, yellow, white, and lavender too!

1. Red Roses (Deep Love, Romance)

Want to express deep, romantic feelings toward the person you love? Let red roses do the talking.

These vibrant and beautiful blooms are a traditional way to say, “I love you.” Red roses have long been associated with love. In fact, they often appear in literature and art, whether it’s on a classic poetry and painting, or on a contemporary film.

Red roses signify deep passion. Since their vibrant red hue expresses the throbbing heat of attraction as well as raging desires and passion, they’re best given to a romantic partner rather than a friend. Aside from holding the title for being the best flowers for Valentine’s day, a bouquet of red roses is also a romantic way to express love and appreciation for one’s birthday and your anniversary.

2. Pink Roses (Gentle Love, Appreciation, Gratitude)

Pink roses are a classic symbol of elegance and grace. They are versatile when you have something special to say, whether it’s for expressing love for a beginning relationship or showing admiration and appreciation. You often see the gentle tone in bridal arrangements, congratulations, and “thank you” bouquets.

Like red roses, pink roses can also be given to express love, but a gentler kind of love. As opposed to deep passion represented by red roses, pink blooms are a gentle reminder of affections that are only beginning and are not yet awakened.

According to professional florists, every shade of pink rose has different meanings:

• Light to Medium Pink Roses: For gentle romance. These blooms are great for showing gentleness and admiration, especially if you have a first love or if you’re starting a new relationship.
• Dark/ Bright Pink Roses: For appreciation, gratitude, and recognition. If you want to cheer up, thank, or congratulate someone, bright pink roses are the best way to go.

3. Yellow Roses (Happiness, Friendship, Get Well)

Yellow is a cheery, sunny color - no wonder how yellow roses can easily brighten someone’s day by telling them the happiness they bring and the friendship you share.

Yellow indicates purely platonic emotions, and simply evokes a warm, joyful, and inviting feel. If you’re giving roses to a friend, rather than a romantic partner, you’re safe with yellow blooms. In fact, yellow roses are a traditional symbol of friendship and caring.

Their sunny disposition makes giving them a perfect way to say thank you, get well, and congratulations, or even a simple expression of appreciation.

4. Orange Roses (Passion, Vigor, Enthusiasm)

Orange is the mixture of yellow and red, not only in a literal sense but also in symbolism. Orange roses are seen as the bridge between love and passion, represented by red roses, and friendship and enthusiasm, signified by yellow roses.

Orange roses evoke blazing energy, enthusiasm, and excitement. Giving orange roses can share your passion and vigor for your relationship with your recipient. They can also be great gifts for saying “I’m proud of you.” They are perfect gifts for minor and major achievements, like graduation or getting promoted at work.

5. Lavender Roses (Majesty, Enchantment, Love at First Sight)

Giving lavender roses is an enchanting way to say I love you. According to flower and color psychology, lavender roses also express “love at first sight.” While the said concept is debatable, you can never go wrong with lavender roses when expressing admiration and adoration for someone, whom you were enchanted with quickly.

Darker shades convey a sense of splendor and regal majesty. You can give it to a special lady whom you treat as your queen.

6. White Roses (Purity, Innocence, Sympathy)

White roses’ clean and pristine petals symbolize purity, innocence, and spirituality. There’s no wonder why white roses are often used in marriages (wedding decors and bridal bouquets) and other formal ceremonies like christenings, graduations, and anniversaries where we celebrate pure love and new beginnings.

Their quiet, non-threatening hue also makes them an ideal gesture of honor or reverence. They are suited for decorating a memorial service and they make the best gifts to commemorate the departed.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the daytime writers for Roses Only, a luxury brand that prides itself on supplying and arranging the world’s finest long-stemmed roses for various occasions. She writes about basic gardening and creative flower arrangement ideas.