Judging by the lines at the florist, Galentine’s Day chatter, and heart-shaped everything, February 14 is fast approaching. But before you hit “add to cart” on that last-minute gift for y0ur sweetheart, you might want to hit pause to consider the meaning behind traditional Valentine’s Day colors like red, white, and pink.
Let us introduce you to floriography, a concept dating back to 19th-century England in which the color of the flowers you sent your special someone would convey your true feelings. The blooms that were given or worn sent coded messages ranging from love and adoration to innocence and modesty. In fact, there ended up being many books written about the meaning of florals including author Charlotte de La Tour’s Le Langage des Fleurs published in 1819.
Of course, bouquets aren’t the only way to express how you feel this Valentine’s Day. The colors of your V-Day tablescape, wreath, or cards can also send subtle messages to your loved ones. Want to know their secrets? Scroll down to find a crash course on the true meaning behind your favorite Valentine’s Day colors.
What are the Valentine’s Day colors?
Pop into any flower shop or even a festive hotel or restaurant and there’s no arguing that red, white, and pink are the official colors of Valentine’s Day. As a holiday centered around love and romance, it’s no surprise that these bold colors with their rich pasts are associated with the celebration.
What’s the meaning of the color red?
According to the Society of American Florists, red roses are the most popular flowers for Valentine’s Day, totaling 60 percent of sales. Red is the symbol of love, romance, and desire, making it the ideal color for a day with that special someone. Furthermore, in Indian and Chinese cultures, red is connected with luck and marriage, and it’s also the preferred bridal attire for weddings.
In a more literal sense, red is the color of blood that pumps through our hearts, which represents love and passion and romance. Additionally, red was the first color to be linked with Valentine’s Day at Lupercalia in Rome, an ancient pagan festival held each year on February 15. At the festivities, male goats and a dog would be sacrificed, and the blood of the animals would be wiped on the foreheads of two priests and wiped off with a wool cloth soaked in milk. They would then run around the city naked and “gently slap” women with the cloth as it was believed to increase fertility. (We’ll stick with a box of chocolates, please!)
What’s the meaning of the color white?
On a lighter note, white roses are common during Valentine’s Day. Giving your partner these snow-colored florals shows your love is pure, and since it’s a popular choice for Western weddings, it’s become a religious interpretation of eternal love, too. Plus, not only does a fresh white arrangement look lovely on any table, you shouldn’t hesitate to make the statement that your bond was made to last.
What’s the meaning of the colors red and white together?
Speaking of relationships, it’s no secret that two is better than one—and the colors red and white are frequently side by side for Valentine’s Day. This striking color combination represents unity. No matter how long you’ve been with your person, it never hurts to have a reminder through a multicolored bouquet or dessert that you’re in this together.
What’s the meaning of the color pink?
Then again, not everything about Valentine’s Day has to be so intense. Whether you just started seeing someone or you simply want to celebrate with friends or family, pink is the perfect color, as it conveys the playfulness of young love or nonromantic compassion and kindness. On top of that, remember that roses aren’t the only flowers available, consider snagging pink carnations, peonies, or tulips for a joyous touch to your home or as a gift for whomever you’re celebrating with.
Is purple a Valentine’s Day color?
The color purple is an underrated accent hue for Valentine’s Day. Instead of the conventional combos above, switch things up with this elegant and mysterious tint. It’s the way to go if you’re sending an enchanting arrangement to a secret crush or you don’t want to go overboard with your Valentine’s Day decorations. For something more understated, bring in some lavender, which evokes subtle charm and grace.
Isis Briones
Senior Shopping Editor
Isis Briones is House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, she’ll find the best items for your home at every price point. She also loves to travel, so don’t be surprised if she hooks you up with some travel deals. Find more of her work published in Complex, Architectural Digest, Teen Vogue, and more.
FAQs
Red means love, symbolic of the heart, and the red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red and white, make pink. Red is usually reserved for romantic, intimate relationships and pink can be for close friends or family members on Valentine's Day.
What do the colors of Valentine's Day mean? ›
Red is the symbol of love, romance, and desire, making it the ideal color for a day with that special someone. Furthermore, in Indian and Chinese cultures, red is connected with luck and marriage, and it's also the preferred bridal attire for weddings.
What do the colors of the flowers mean for Valentine's Day? ›
While a red rose is known to symbolize true love, the bloom is available in other colors that convey various meanings. White roses convey purity and everlasting love, yellow symbolize friendship, pink symbolize elegance, and lavender symbolize love at first sight, says Tina Merola of Blooms by the Box.
What are the 3 colors of Valentine's Day? ›
Valentine's Day Colors (Red, White & Pink)
What does purple mean on Valentine's Day? ›
If you and your loved one have a storybook, love-at-first-sight romance, then purple roses are the flowers for you. With ties to nobility and royalty, purple roses tell the one you love that she is the most important woman in your life, and your queen.
What does green mean in Valentine's Day? ›
Valentine's Day is associated with red and pink, representing passion and romance. But there's another hue with a secret, sensual history longing for embrace: green. The colour of nature and fertility, green is deeply connected to love in traditions throughout the world.
What does wearing red on Valentine's Day mean? ›
Many people like to wear red on Valentine's Day because red is often associated with love, passion, and romance.
What does a black rose mean in a relationship? ›
The black rose meaning in relationship generally shows unhappiness and no willingness to be together. Black roses in a relationship depict that it is a tragic romance as it stands for heartbreak and sadness.
What color rose means love? ›
Red roses symbolize all those things that make a love story great: Passion, desire, true love, and romance. It's no wonder why the red rose has become a classic Valentine's Day flower!
What does each color rose mean? ›
For example, blue roses symbolise mystery. Yellow roses are ideal to give away to friends and green roses represent strength and fertility. Orange roses are for joy and pink roses are for thanksgiving. White roses are a symbol of innocence, purity and loyalty, also a fitting gift for a fresh start or a farewell.
Red. The colour most commonly associated with love, it makes sense to have this one up top. From blushed cheeks and ruby lips to love-hearts and roses, red is a fiery colour that conjures up feelings of passion and intensity.
What does black color mean on Valentine's Day? ›
Black – Proposal Rejected
Black is a color that is not a happy one to wear on V-day. It means that a proposal has been rejected. If you want to tell people that your proposal wasn't accepted, choose this color. Wearing this color on Valentine's Day also means that you are not interested in or looking for love.
What is the best color for Valentine's Day? ›
Red is often associated with Valentine's Day, making it the ideal color for the holiday. Additionally, pink is also a popular color to wear, as it usually signifies romance and affection. Peeace.
What does blue color mean on Valentine's Day? ›
Wear the colour Blue to let others know that you're ready for a proposal. It shows that you're open to seeing people or ready to get engaged. Meet your partner with The Framed Moments Hamper as a gift and let them know about your intentions to take the relationship to the next level.
What does pink color mean in Valentine's Day? ›
Pink is often seen as a softer and more youthful version of red and stands for young love, femininity, innocence, and purity. In addition, many of the favorite flowers for Valentine's Day, such as roses, carnations, and tulips, come in both shades, which makes the connection even stronger.
What do yellow roses mean on Valentine's Day? ›
Yellow is the color of friendship. Yellow roses can also signify new beginnings and remembrance, but on Valentine's Day, this color is often chosen when sending roses to a close friend. The color yellow radiates warmth and positive energy, and can brighten anyone's day.
What color is associated with Valentines Day? ›
Red is a powerful colour that elicits powerful emotions and is connected with love, passion, and desire. It is the colour of roses, the symbol of love, and it has been used to show love and devotion on Valentine's Day for generations.
What is the most common Valentine's Day color? ›
Red is often associated with Valentine's Day, making it the ideal color for the holiday. Additionally, pink is also a popular color to wear, as it usually signifies romance and affection.
What do the colors red and white symbolize? ›
Red symbolizes the blood of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Red is the color of courage, passion, and valor. White – White brings thoughts of purity and innocence to mind. In Western cultures, white has been associated with righteousness and fresh beginnings.
What does yellow mean in Valentine's Day? ›
If you recently broke up, wear a yellow colour dress and define yourself better. Remember, a breakup is not the end of the world, and your ideal life partner must be waiting for you.
