Floriography

“The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart.”

—Unknown

Yellow roses for friendship, pink roses for grace, red roses for love…every year on Valentine’s Day, millions of people send flowers, most notably roses, to express their feelings.

The tradition of sending flowers on Valentine’s Day can be traced to the 17th century, where interest in floriography or the “language of flowers” took root in Victorian England. Gifts of flowers and plants were used symbolically to send coded messages to recipients, allowing the sender to convey feelings which couldn’t be spoken aloud in Victorian society.  

As a timeless flower imbued with many meanings, it’s no wonder the rose became a popular choice for Valentine’s Day. It's said that the rose was created by Aphrodite, the Roman Goddess of Love, though the actual cultivation of roses is believed to have begun in Asia, around 5,000 years ago. Confucius wrote of cultivating roses in the Imperial Garden, while their cultivation was renowned during the Han dynasty. Also prized in Ancient Egypt, rose petals as well as paintings depicting roses have been discovered in tombs. In addition, the rose became the symbol of England during the 15th century civil wars in which the House of Lancaster took the symbol of the red rose, and the House of York took the symbol of the white. Later the two roses were combined to create The Tudor Rose, one of the most recognizable symbols in the U.K.

Roses are the royalty of the flower industry, and it’s estimated that more than 250 million are produced for Valentine’s Day alone. Because of their hardy nature, their alluring scent, and their vibrant colors, they have become the ultimate symbol of love and passion. So, if your sweetheart sends you roses for Valentine’s Day, here might be the hidden message:

Red roses for love and romance

Burgundy for unconscious beauty

Yellow for friendship and fidelity

Pink for grace and elegance

Peach for sincerity and gratitude

White for purity and innocence

Ivory for refinement and charm

Lavender for wonder and enchantment

Orange for energy and desire