Rose color meanings: what each color says
Red says I love you, yellow says friendship and lilac says love at first sight. Here's what every rose color means, and when to send it.
The short answer
Red roses mean love, pink means grace and happiness, white means a fresh start, and yellow means friendship. Orange says enthusiasm, lilac says love at first sight, and blue stands for mystery. Most of these meanings come from the Victorian language of flowers, and people still read them the same way today.
- Red
- Love
- Yellow
- Friendship
- Lilac
- Love at first sight
In this article (4 sections)
Here is what every rose color means.
| Color | What it means | When we'd send it | Shop it in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Love, or simply "I love you." | Anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or a plain Tuesday that needs one. | Heart Box in Red, Single Stem Roses |
| Burgundy | The Victorians read deep crimson as mourning. Today it reads as a richer, grown-up red. | A long love, or a quiet "I'm thinking of you." | Heart Box in Burgundy, Hat Box in Burgundy |
| Pink | Grace, happiness and gentleness. | Thank-yous, new moms, birthdays and best friends. | Heart Box in Baby Pink, Hot Pink or Pink Champagne |
| White | Purity, reverence and a fresh start. | Weddings, new homes and sympathy. | Heart Box in White, Large Rose Dome |
| Yellow | Friendship today. The Victorians meant jealousy, so we're glad that one changed. | Friends, congratulations and get-well wishes. | Hat Box in Yellow |
| Orange | Desire and enthusiasm. | A new job, a big win, or someone you can't stop talking about. | Single Stem Roses in Orange |
| Lilac | Love at first sight. | A first date, a new relationship or a not-so-secret crush. | Heart Box in Lilac, Hat Box in Lilac |
| Blue | Mystery. Blue roses don't grow in nature, which is half the fun. | Someone who's hard to read, or anyone who loves blue. | Hat Box in Sapphire Blue or Sky Blue |
| Black | Traditionally death and farewell, which makes it the boldest rose there is. | Halloween, a going-away party, or the friend who only wears black. | Single Stem Roses in Black |
| Rainbow | No old meaning at all, because rainbow roses are a modern invention. | Anyone who can't pick a favorite color. | Single Stem Roses in Rainbow |
Where do rose color meanings come from?
Most of them come from the Victorian language of flowers, when people sent bouquets to say what they couldn't say out loud. The Old Farmer's Almanac notes that its own chart "reflects mainly Victorian flower language." A few meanings have shifted since, and yellow is the famous one: it went from jealousy to friendship.
Does a preserved rose mean the same thing?
Yes, and it keeps saying it. A fresh red rose says "I love you" for about a week. A preserved one says it for a year or more, from the same spot on the shelf.
Sources: The Old Farmer's Almanac, Flower Meanings and Wikipedia, Rose symbolism.
Here are the questions people ask us most.
What color rose do you give a friend?
Yellow, for friendship. Pink works too, since it stands for happiness.
What color rose is best for an anniversary?
Red, for love. Burgundy is a lovely choice for a love that has been around a while.
What color rose is right for sympathy?
White, for reverence. A white rose under a glass dome makes a gentle keepsake that stays for a year or more.
What do lavender roses mean?
Love at first sight, which makes lilac a sweet pick for a new relationship.
What does a black rose mean?
Traditionally, death and farewell. Today plenty of people send one simply because it looks incredible.
Are blue roses real?
Not in nature. Every blue rose gets its color from people, and ours get theirs during preserving, so it stays put for a year or more.
