No matter what the flower gift giving occasion, roses are always a good way to convey your feelings. Just make sure you're not saying "I desire you romantically" when you mean "Congratulations on your graduation"! We've helped you out by compiling the meanings of the most commonly given roses below. Whether you're looking to appear mysterious, want to express love at first sight, or just want to say thanks, there's a rose color for you!

Giving a Gift of Red Roses

Red is the most popular color of roses. Their appeal is likely linked to their symbolic meaning of deep and romantic love or passion. And who doesn't like to feel loved and desired by receiving a gift of red roses? Red roses are obviously the popular choice for Valentine's Day and anniversaries. Even if you aren't seeking romance, receiving red roses can give you a sense of being respected or appreciated. And with good reason! Giving a gift of red roses usually says "I love you" but since the color also symbolizes respect and courage, giving red roses can also say "congratulations" or "job well done". In addition to love and respect, red roses symbolize beauty. Dark red or burgundy roses depict an unconventional beauty. Like its blooming counterpart, a red rosebud can be given out of love but more specifically is symbolic of purity and loveliness.

Giving a Gift of White Roses

White isn't just for wedding dresses. Being the symbol for new beginnings, purity, and unity, the white rose is a popular choice for wedding arrangements. Also known as the bridal rose, white roses can imply young love and innocence. But it's not only about welcoming things anew, the white rose works for saying goodbye as well. Roses in white are often used in memorial bouquets as this color of rose also stands for remembrance, honor, and reverence.

Giving a Gift of Pink Roses

Not quite sure you're ready to give that romantic red rose? Try pink instead! Pink roses can convey a message of admiration or appreciation. Their symbolism is similar to the red rose but with a less intense meaning. Pink roses can say "Thank You" or portray elegance but also are used to display sympathy. Dark pink roses are given more to show gratitude, while light pink is often taken to signify joyfulness and sweetness or are given to express admiration. Pink roses are a good choice for parents giving flowers to their teenage girls for the happy message of sweetness they carry while also expressing grace and appreciation.

Giving a Gift of Yellow Roses

Alas, the dreaded "friendship" rose! A bouquet of yellow roses is probably not what you want to get from someone who you are hoping for a romantic relationship with! But then again, while red roses are probably what you'd be looking for, maybe yellow isn't so bad. It's true the yellow rose symbolizes friendship (and Texas), but it can also be sent to express joy, delight, gladness, and symbolize starting anew or the promise of a new beginning. Yellow roses are perfect for Mom's of new babies, graduations, and maybe even that last minute birthday gift. That being said, a bouquet of yellow roses is not only a good choice for a friends, but is also a smart pick if you're trying to make up after a fight.

Giving a Gift of Orange Roses

Think orange flowers are just for Halloween? Well think again! The bright orange rose exuded excitement and has come to symbolize desire and passion. It's meaning is similar to that of both the yellow and the red rose, which is no surprise since orange is the combination of the two colors. The orange rose can represent an emerging romantic relationship, moving beyond the yellow of friendship towards the passion of red. But beware all you red roses! With its fiery, energetic color, the orange rose has been known to send a powerful message of sizzling romance to rival your red hot overtones of love. But if heating things up is not your intention, the orange rose can have a subtler, less romantic meaning as well. Enthusiastic expressions of fascination or pride in accomplishment are also worthy of an orange rose.

Giving a Gift of Peach Roses

Need a rose without the automatic associations that come with red, yellow, or pink? Looking for something more generic and ambiguous, yet still meaningful? Peach is just the rose for you! It's a great choice for Administrative Professional's Week. If you want to express gratitude, sincerity, or appreciation? You can choose peach. Want to show admiration or express sympathy? Peach is there for you. Need to say "let's get together" or represent sociability and friendship? Peach is your rose. And if you can't find any other flower to hint at modesty, the pale peach rose will humbly oblige.

Giving a Gift of Lavender Roses

See someone from across the room and fall for them immediately? Send them lavender roses! Not only will a bouquet of lavender roses stand out from the crowd and elicit intrigue, but the lavender rose symbolizes love at first site. The unique and striking appearance of this rose is the reason it also represents enchantment or a sense of the magical. Since purple is traditionally associated with royalty, choosing lavender roses can also send a regal message. If you want to express love and adoration but don't want to send the ubiquitous red rose, try lavender!

Giving a Gift of Black Roses

Black roses pretty much only exist in the movies or fantasy worlds. There is no naturally occurring black rose but there is a red rose dark enough to appear black, or roses may be artificially colored black. Black roses symbolize loss or saying farewell (as in farewell to the world of the living). They would be seen in a funeral or memorial arrangement. Unless you're a mob boss sending a message or you're really in to goth, you don't send black roses to the living. Black roses are not used to express pleasantries, they simply represent death.

Giving a Gift of Blue Roses

Looking to appear mysterious? You need the blue rose...if you can find one. Roses in nature don't have the pigment needed to make the color blue but due to the modern marvels of dye, roses can be created in blue. The blue rose usually symbolizes mystery and the unattainable but is also used to signal caution and the need to be discrete.