Rose Colors and Meanings: The Complete Guide to Red, Yellow, Pink & More

Roses aren’t just beautiful—they carry messages with every color. Learning about rose colors and meanings helps you express exactly what you feel, whether you are buying a bouquet or simply curious about their symbolism.

From classic red and white roses to sunny yellow, and even rare blues and blacks, every shade tells a story.

In the guide below, you’ll find a simple list of rose colors and their meanings, along with a bit of historical significance. I’ve also included a quick ‘at-a-glance’ section if you want just the highlights.

Keep reading to explore both popular and unusual rose color meanings and symbolism.

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Rose color symbolism at a glance

Here’s a quick snapshot of what each rose color symbolizes, so you can find what you’re looking for in a flash.

• Red: Love & passion
• Pink: Gratitude & admiration
• Yellow: Friendship & joy
• White: Innocence & new beginnings
• Orange: Enthusiasm & fascination
• Blue: Uniqueness & the unattainable
• Black: Farewell & rebirth
• Coral: Desire & warmth
• Burgundy: Deep passion & sophistication
• Peach: Modesty & sincerity
• Cream: Charm & thoughtfulness
• Lavender: Mystery & love at first sight

Rose colors and meanings printable

You can print this handy, at-a-glance rose colors symbolism printable in high-resolution JPG or PDF formats using the links below:

• Get the high-resolution printable (JPG) ↗
• Get the PDF printable (PDF) ↗

Detailed rose color meanings

While the quick guide above gives you the basics, each rose color has deeper symbolism and varied uses. Here’s a closer look at what each shade represents and when it’s most often given.

Red rose meaning

Red roses are the most popular symbol in the language of flower colors.

• Meaning: Deep love, passion, romance, courage, and respect.
• When to give: The most popular choice for Valentine’s Day, red roses are perfect for showing deep love and admiration.
• Symbolism note: Their association with love dates back to ancient mythology, where red roses were linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

Pink rose meaning

A great way to show appreciation and say “thank you” is with pink roses.

• Represents: Grace, perfection, happiness, admiration, and gentleness.
• When to give: Deep pink roses make a wonderful thank-you gift.
• Cultural note: At the beginning of a relationship, pink roses are a better choice than red ones.

Yellow rose meaning

Cheerful and bright, yellow roses are associated with friendship and joy.

• Symbolizes: Gladness, delight, and the promise of a new beginning.
• What they say: “Welcome back, remember me”.
• 🎵: “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree” shows a returning prisoner that they’ll be welcomed home.

White rose meaning

Often used in bridal bouquets, white roses are associated with weddings and brides.

• Meaning: Purity, virginity, goodness, and innocence.
• Used to express: Sending white roses is a way a secret admirer expresses their interest.
• Religious connection: In Christianity, white roses represent the Virgin Mary.

Orange roses meaning

The bright, vibrant color of orange roses is associated with passion.

• Significance: Orange roses symbolize success, creativity, and encouragement.
• Given for: They make a great graduation or housewarming flower gift.
• Fun fact: Orange roses are a 20th-century innovation, made by hybridizing yellow and red roses.

Blue roses meaning

Because blue roses do not grow naturally, they signify the unattainable.

• Meaning: Trust, freedom, intuition, tranquility, and the impossible.
• Used for: Given for engagements and anniversaries to signify a profound, special love.
• Fun fact: Blue roses lack a pigment, delphinidin, which makes flowers turn blue. Blue roses from florists are dyed!

Black rose meaning

Similar to blue roses, black roses are not found in nature. They are usually deep burgundy or dyed roses.

• Represent: Black roses signify death, farewell, rebirth, and strength.
• When to use them: Funerals and wakes.
• Political note: They have symbolized resistance and rebellion in many political contexts.

Meaning of coral roses

These pretty roses signify a bridge between friendship and romantic love.

• Symbolism: Desire, enthusiasm, and excitement.
• Popular for: Give this colored rose to someone you would like to know better.
• Decor note: Use them in centerpieces to create a happy, welcoming atmosphere.

Burgundy rose meaning

These deeply colored roses are named for the shade of burgundy wine, which originated in the Burgundy region of France.

• Meaning: Passion, beauty, elegance, and deep love.
• When to give: If you have a deep passion for someone, give them burgundy roses.
• Historical note: The “Burgundian” Rose is one of the oldest miniature roses still in commerce. It dates to before 1664.

Peach rose

Bright and zesty, peach roses express enthusiasm and modesty.

• Represents: Sincerity, excitement, and appreciation.
• What they say: “I find you charming or exciting!”
• When to give them: To celebrate friendships, close business deals, or show sympathy.

Cream rose meaning

Off-white and cream roses represent charm and thoughtfulness.

• Means: Thoughtfulness, perfection, elegance, and grace.
• When to use them: Cream colored roses are perfect for older brides who might not wear white on their wedding day.
• Symbol of reconciliation: They can be given to resolve conflicts and apologize.

Lavender rose

Because shades of purple are associated with royalty, lavender roses symbolize respect and admiration.

• Significance: Enchantment, adoration, and love at first sight.
• Historical note: The first lavender rose dates back to 1884, with breeding by French horticulturists.
• Fun fact: Unlike traditional rose colors, lavender roses are not found growing wild in nature, which adds to their “magical” appeal.

Bicolored roses meaning

Some roses combine colors to send a mixed message. Here are a few popular combinations and what they mean:

• Yellow + Red: Joyful love, or friendship and love.
• White + Red: Unity and celebration.
• Pink + Yellow: Happiness and admiration.

Common questions about rose colors and their meanings

Still have questions? Here are answers to some common questions about rose color symbolism.

Do rose color meanings vary in different cultures?

Yes. While many meanings are widely recognized today, symbolism can vary by culture. For example, white roses represent purity in Western traditions but may be linked to mourning in some Eastern cultures.

What’s the difference between red and burgundy roses?

Red roses express romantic love and admiration. Burgundy roses suggest deeper devotion, unconscious beauty, and a mature, enduring love.

Can yellow roses be romantic?

Traditionally, they symbolize friendship. In mixed bouquets or paired with warmer tones, they can represent happiness within a relationship rather than just platonic affection.

Are white roses only for sympathy occasions?

No. Beyond memorial settings, they symbolize new beginnings and sincerity, making them popular for weddings and fresh starts.

How many colors of roses are there?

Roses appear in many shades, including red, pink, white, yellow, peach, orange, coral, and lavender. Some colors, like blue and very dark “black” roses, are created through dyeing or breeding.

Do lighter and darker shades of a color mean different things?

Often, yes. Lighter shades convey gentle emotions such as admiration or gratitude, while darker tones express deeper feelings such as passion or commitment.

Why do roses have symbolic meanings?

Their symbolism developed through mythology, literature, and tradition. In the Victorian era, rose colors were often associated with emotional meanings.

What do mixed-color rose bouquets symbolize?

They combine meanings for a layered message. For example, red and yellow roses together can express love and happiness.

A brief history of rose symbolism

To understand the meaning of rose colors, take a step back into history.

• Throughout history, roses have been considered symbolic.
• Ancient Romans used the rose to show devotion to the Goddess Venus.
• In later Christian eras, it became associated with the Virgin Mary.
• The Tudor rose is the national flower of England.
• The rose was adopted as the national floral symbol of the USA in the 1980s.

🌹 Numerical rose facts

Did you know that the number of roses given in a bouquet also sends a special meaning?

• Sending 1 rose is a simple way to say “Thank You”.
• 2 roses entwined together tell your loved one you would like to marry them!
• 6 roses indicate a need to be cherished.
• 10 red roses say that you are perfect!
• 11 roses tell the recipient that they are deeply loved.
• 13 roses indicate you have a secret admirer!

Related posts about roses

Are you interested in learning more about roses? Check out these posts:

• Osiria Rose Care – The red-and-white rose that became a social media phenomenon.
• Variegated Roses – Take a tour of Raleigh’s Rose Garden.
• Romantic Rose Quotes – 35 best rose love quotes with images of roses.

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Admin note: This article about rose color meanings first appeared on the blog in June 2018. This post has been updated with new photos, a rose color meaning printable, and a slideshow video showing what each rose color symbolizes.

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Yield: 1 printable about rose color meanings

NEW Rose Colors and Their Meanings - Printable Color Guide

Print

Get this easy-to-use printable guide to rose colors and their meanings. Perfect for gifts, floral arrangements, or learning the symbolism behind every shade.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

• Computer paper

Tools

• Computer
• Printer

Instructions

1. Load your paper into your printer.
2. Using the print function on this card will give you a rose color meanings printable that fills about ¾ of an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper.
3. Choose portrait layout and, if possible, "fit to page" (or 125%) in your settings.
4. Prefer full-page printing? You can also print the guide as a high-resolution file using your browser’s print feature: (PDF) | (JPG).
5. Please note that creating free printables takes a long time. This rose color symbolism guide is for personal use only. If you are sharing it (and thank you for that!), please link directly to this post, rather than to the actual image. We appreciate your help in supporting the site.
6. This guide may not be used for any retail purpose or for mass distribution.

Notes

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