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 and pink are colors we often associate with love. Red is symbolic of more of a romantic type of love, while pink represents friendships and family love.
What is the meaning of the Valentine's Day colors? ›
Typically, red stands for deep, undying romantic love, while pink can symbolize love for friends, children, family, and pets. So while you can get red roses for your one true love, pink roses will be a better choice for your best friend. The Language of Flowers.
What does the color of roses mean on Valentine's Day? ›
Roses are still the most popular flower for Valentine's Day and tradition is that color is important when using them your messenger. Red is the classic declaration of love, while white is a symbol of purity, innocence, youthfulness and everlasting love.
What does the color 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 blue mean in Valentine's Day? ›
When it comes to meaning, blue is right on point for the holiday because it symbolizes love and desire. It also stands for inspiration, so if someone has inspired you this year, Valentine's Day is the perfect way to say thanks with blue flowers.
What does yellow mean in 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.
What does pink and red mean? ›
Both red and pink represent love. The color red represents heat and passion, while the color pink represents romance and charm. Pink is made up from a combination of red and white which is where it gets some of its characteristics from. The deeper the pink color, the more passion and energy it radiates.
What does each rose color 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.
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 a black rose mean in love? ›
Eternal Love- black roses also symbolize eternal love, as many people believe that it helps you attract your soulmate. You also need to know that a black rose is also a sign of true romance and affection. Power and Mystery- since black is an unusual and unique color, it eludes a sense of mystery and power.
White: The Colour of Purity and Elegance
White, with its pure and serene essence, complements the fiery passion of red. It symbolizes purity, innocence, and the beginning of a new chapter in a relationship.
What does "gray" mean in Valentine's Day? ›
Grey is a symbol of no interest. A person in a grey dress indicates that they have been ghosted and is no longer hopeful in love. Better luck next time! Black is a negative indication and signifies that the person has been rejected by someone he wants to share his/her heart with.
What does the color black mean on Valentine's Day? ›
Black: Healing from a Rejected Proposal
Black might be a favourite of many, but on Valentine's Day, it symbolizes rejection.
What are the 3 colors of Valentine's day? ›
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.
What does red color mean on Valentine's day? ›
Firstly, red is associated with the heart, which is the centre of love and emotion. The heart is often depicted as a bright red symbol, and this association has helped make red a powerful symbol of love. Another reason why red is the colour of love is because of its association with desire and passion.
What does the color pink mean on Valentine's day? ›
Pink is a delicate color that holds several meanings, usually though not exclusively related to girls, including cute, romantic, sweet, nice, playful, charming, feminine and tenderness. The color pink is also the color of universal love of oneself and of others.
What are the three Valentines day colors? ›
Flowers, chocolate, jewelry, cards … Have you ever thought why red, pink and white are the colors for Valentine's day? 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.
Why are Valentines colors pink and red? ›
Because It's Symbolic!
Red and pink are colors we often associate with love. Red is symbolic of more of a romantic type of love, while pink represents friendships and family love.
What do the colors of love mean? ›
Each love colour corresponds to one of the four basic colours: Blue represents belonging and connectedness. Green represents self-esteem and self-determination. Yellow represents inner freedom and expectations of the future. Red represents self-confidence and action.
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.
