When it comes to rose colors and their meanings, there is one that is no secret to any of us. There’s no wondering why the world’s supply of red roses is severely depleted on Valentine’s Day. The red rose is the symbol of love. It is dramatic and bold and the ultimate symbol of romance and passion. Don’t think it’s a cliché if your partner presents you with red roses – he/she too knows they are emblematic of love.

Who wouldn’t be cheered up by a vase full of sunny blooms? Yellow roses are a floral symbol of friendship and they bring sunshine into your life. They are delivered with joy and caring. If you receive yellow roses, the giver is conveying gladness, warmth and affection. (Interestingly, in Victorian times, when the language of flowers was most significant, yellow roses symbolized jealousy.)

Although red roses speak the language of love, there’s also something rather special about lilac and purple roses. They signify love at first sight. This makes them the perfect valentine flower as an alternative to the classic red. But their meaning goes beyond that too. There is a mysticism about lilac/people roses symbolizing enchantment and desire. They are also associated with caution.

When it comes to rose colors and their meanings, pink is a complicated little fellow. Pink roses go from the palest hint of pink to the deepest brightest hue. So while generally pink roses symbolize femininity, gentility, refinement and elegance, pale pink shades represent gentleness and grace, happiness and admiration. Darker pinks express appreciation and gratitude.

There’s something warm and vibrant about orange roses. It’s no surprise then that their fiery tones are representative of desire and enthusiasm. Orange roses are the ideal choice for expressing attraction and admiration. There’s no doubt in their message of excitement and passion. If someone presents you with orange roses, they’ve got the serious hots for you.

Virginal white roses are so closely associated with weddings that they are called the “bridal rose”. Symbolizing innocence and purity, it also represents humility; at the time when roses were attributed their meanings, women would submit to the will of their husbands, and white roses in a bridal bouquet signified the acceptance of the rule of her man. The white rose also symbolizes reverence, truth and loyalty.

It’s hard to pin down the meaning of multi-colored roses because essentially they are confused. If for example, you had a red and white rose, how do you reconcile innocence with raw passion? The best thing to do with multi-colored roses is to see the best qualities from the symbolism of each of the two (or more) colors. This can also be extended to bouquets of mixed roses. For example, a mix of white and red roses symbolizes unity and a bouquet of yellow and red expresses joy and happiness.

There is also more to roses than their colors and meanings. Presentation is another language they speak. A message is conveyed when roses are given in various ways. A single rose is a message of existing love – “I still love you!” while a bouquet of roses in full bloom is an expression of deep gratitude. The showy tea rose signifies remembrance, while a bouquet of rosebuds represents innocent love.

So now the next time you are presented with or go to buy roses, you’ll understand more about the language of roses and enjoy their message as well as their beauty. What‘s your favorite color rose?