Roses and Their Meaning

Throughout the centuries roses and their meaning have been used to silently communicate messages of love, friendship, and admiration. By knowing the meanings of each color and combination of roses, as well as other important details, you can send these traditional messages to your friends and loved ones.

Roses held against the lips mean "Yes".

The tradition of sending symbolic flowers peaked in Victorian times when suitors had to be very careful about how and where they approached a lady. Often small bouquets of flowers called Tussie-Mussies were sent to quietly speak of deep, and secret, feelings. If the initial bouquet was accepted the courtship could proceed. As the relationship changed, the colors and types of the flowers changed as well.

Not only were the colors full of meaning, but the type of rose, certain combinations, and the stage of bloom also spoke volumes to the recipient. Additional flowers added more information. If a yellow iris was included in the bouquet, for example, it indicated that a fiery passion was included in whatever else was symbolized in the rose bouquet.

Even the number of roses was significant:

• One Red Rose-“My only.”
• Two Roses-“We are a couple.”
• Three Roses-“I love you.”
• Six Roses-“I miss you.”
• Ten Roses-“You are perfect for me.”
• Thirteen Roses-“You have a secret admirer.”
• Fifteen Roses-“I am sorry.”
• Fifty Roses-“I love you unconditionally.”
• One-hundred Roses-“I am devoted to you.”
• One-hundred eight Roses-“Will you marry me?”

Once the recipient had the arrangement in hand she could communicate back to the giver by what she did with the roses. If the flowers were held to the lips the answer was, “Yes.” If a petal or two was cast off and thrown away the answer was, “No.” Alternatively, a leaf may be sent back to the suitor to convey the message, “You may hope.”

Roses, and their meaning, were brought almost to an art form in the intricately detailed bouquets of the Victorians. Even the location and decoration of the rose had great meaning:

• Bent to the right - "I".
• Bent to the left - "You".
• Ribbon knotted on the left - Message from the giver.
• Ribbon knotted on the right - Message about the recipient.
• Accepted with right hand - Agreement, affirmative.
• Accepted with left hand - Disagreement, negative.
• Worn over heart - Love.
• Worn in hair - Caution.
• Worn in cleavage - Friendship, Remembrance.

• Red-“I love you.”
  • A red rosebud symbolizes simple love, purity and loveliness.
  • Amaranth Red - Long Standing Desire.
  • Cardinal Red - Sublime Desire.
  • Carmine Red- Deceitful Desire.
  • Fiery Red- Flames of Passion.
  • A withered red rose says that love is over.
• Burgundy-“You have an unconscious beauty.”
• White-Purity, spiritual love.
  • A white rosebud signifies girlhood and innocence.
• Yellow-Joy, happiness, friendship. There is some indication that historically they represented decreased love and infidelity. Victorians used them to represent jealousy.
  • A fully open, single yellow rose says, “Do you still love me?”
• Coral-Desire.
• Orange-Fascination.
• Light Pink-Admiration.
• Dark Pink-“Thank You”.
• Lavender-Love at first sight.
• Pale Colors-Friendship.
• Pale Peach-Modesty.
• Black Roses-Mourning, end of relationship.

Roses with two or more color combinations, either in the rose or in the bouquet, also have singular meanings:

• Red and White-Unity.
• Red, Pink, and White-Trinity.
• Red and Orange- Congratulations.
• Yellow with a Red Tip-Friendship turns into love.
• Lavender and White-“Let’s try again.”
• Pink and Peach-Sweetness.
• White and Yellow-Harmony.
• Orange and Yellow-Passionate thoughts.
• A Mixed Color Bouquet- “You are everything to me.”

• A withered rose bouquet means, “I have no interest in you.”
• Roses that are sent every month mean, “Your beauty is ever new to me.”
• Tea Roses signify remembrance.
• A bouquet of mature blooms symbolizes gratitude.
• Two roses intertwined signify engagement and marriage.
• A fully opened rose with two buds in a bouquet implies a secret.
• A bouquet of all white buds means that someone loves you, but you are too young for them.
• A single rose of any color, other than red, says, “Thank you.”
• A thorn represents danger.
• It is the birth flower for June.
• It is the symbol of the fifteenth wedding anniversary.
• It is the state flower of the following states:
  • Georgia.
  • Iowa.
  • New York.
  • North Dakota.
  • District of Columbia.
• In Rome, when someone did not wish to be disturbed, a rose was placed on the door.
• Roses were once used in place of money by the wealthy.
• The white rose is worn on Mother's Day for those whose mothers have passed away, while the red rose is worn on Mother's Day for those with mothers still alive.
• Cleopatra met Marc Antony in a room that was filled knee deep in rose petals.
• The oldest living rose is thought to be one-thousand years old. It flourishes on the wall of the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany.

Once you know the language of roses, and their meaning, you can create tussie-mussies of your own to speak your heart to your family and friends. For more fascinating reading about the language of flowers you can read Kate Greenaway’s classic book, The Language of Flowers, online. Each page and illustration has been scanned and is available for either online reading or download.

Most of all, enjoy the beauty of these popular flowers in your home. Roses are a beautiful gift, with or without a meaning attached.

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