Red Roses: Symbolism and Meaning
Red roses are among the most popular flowers: for Valentine’s Day, many of you want to give them to your loved ones. We’ll tell you all about the meaning behind these flowers—and share our thoughts on enjoying them year-round, regardless of the season!
What is the meaning of the red rose?
The symbolism of the red rose dates back to Greek mythology, specifically to the story of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Adonis. According to legend, the red rose was born from the mixture of the young man’s blood and the goddess’s tears. The red rose therefore symbolizes both love and beauty.
Symbolically, the red rose is the quintessential flower of passion. There’s nothing quite like a beautiful red rose with full petals to say “I love you” to your significant other. While it expresses love, it’s a passionate love, steeped in romance.
The red rose is also a political symbol. Since the Middle Ages and the famous War of the Roses, the red rose has been the symbol of England and the British crown, serving as the emblem of the Tudor dynasty. In France, the Socialist Party has also adopted the red rose as its symbol.
I find my bouquet of red roses
The Meaning Behind the Number of Red Roses You Give
Everything about the red rose is steeped in symbolism, right down to the number of roses in your bouquet. To make sure you convey the right message, Sessile invites you to discover the meaning behind the number of red roses.
1 red rose: Giving a red rose means you’ve fallen head over heels for the person you’re giving it to! There’s no better way to declare your love.
2 red roses: Giving two red roses has a special meaning; it’s a way of asking for forgiveness from the person you’re giving them to. It’s a great way to apologize with flowers!
3 red roses: Giving three red roses is like saying “I love you” to the person receiving them. It’s lovers’ favorite gift when they want to remind each other of the mutual love that binds them.
5 red roses: If you decide to give five red roses, the message is generally one of admiration. You can give this bouquet to someone who has done a lot for you—a teacher, a mentor, or simply your parents—to show them your admiration.
9 red roses: Nine red roses symbolize the promise of eternal love. They are perfect for an engagement or a wedding vow renewal.
10 red roses: The meaning of ten red roses symbolizes the perfect, unclouded love you share with your partner. A bouquet of ten red roses is the perfect way to remind yourselves of the promise that binds you as a couple.
12 red roses: Traditionally, giving twelve red roses has a special meaning—one reserved for a marriage proposal. Be sure you’re certain if you want to give twelve red roses!
17 red roses: Bouquets of seventeen red roses are traditionally given to celebrate a 17th wedding anniversary, which is commonly known as the “rose anniversary”!
50 red roses: A bouquet of fifty red roses symbolizes a love that is both boundless and enduring. Giving fifty red roses is like telling your loved one that you want to spend the rest of your life with them.
100 red roses: A bouquet of 100 red roses symbolizes unconditional and passionate love that is meant to last even after death.
Giving an odd number of red roses: Your local florist has a little tip for you! If you’d like to give red roses, opt for bouquets with an odd number of roses. There are two reasons for this. The first is aesthetic: a bouquet with an odd number of red roses will generally have a more graceful and elegant shape. The second is purely symbolic: the love between two people creates unity!
In fact, the number doesn't really matter: we recommend following the advice above only if you're into symbolism. It goes without saying: no matter how many red roses you give your partner, they will always be a token of love that will be well received.
That’s why at Sessile.fr, we let you choose the number of red roses you’d like to include in your bouquet. Perhaps a specific number holds special meaning for you? The year you met, or the street number where you first met? That’s why the perfect bouquet of red roses is one that’s custom-made, tailored to reflect the depth of your feelings.
The Best Occasions to Give Red Roses, According to Florists
If you ’re determined to give red roses no matter what, your florist recommends saving them for a romantic date or a declaration of love. Since they symbolize the intensity of passion, don’t even consider giving them to anyone other than the person to whom you wish to confess your love.
The red rose is the ultimate symbol of beauty: if you give one to your partner, you’re doing so to tell them how much you desire them physically. If you’d like to convey a slightly different message, feel free to check out our article on the meaning of rose colors.
Sessile.fr's review of *The Red Rose*
If you’d like to give a bouquet of flowers for Valentine’s Day or for a romantic date, we recommend avoiding red roses as much as possible. The red rose has become the symbol of a globalized flower market that’s disconnected from any sense of seasonality.
In fact, red roses are in demand year-round, regardless of the season. To meet this constant consumer demand, Dutch growers have shifted a large portion of their red rose production to warmer countries, such as those in Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia) and South America (primarily Colombia and Ecuador).
To produce red roses year-round, some Dutch growers have also turned to greenhouse cultivation, which requires enormous amounts of energy to keep the red roses blooming. This, too, has an impact on their price…
What seasonal flowers can be used as a substitute for red roses?
Ask your florist for advice on seasonal varieties that symbolize love and can be used as an alternative to red roses in your bouquets. Keep in mind that roses bloom from May through September, so you can buy them with confidence in the spring or summer.
In the fall, we recommend choosing lisianthus, carnations, or the magnificent dahlia—whose fullness would make any red rose green with envy! You’ll also start to see ranunculus, which make for lovely bouquets.
Winter has no shortage of graceful seasonal flowers whose full, billowy blooms can perfectly replace roses. Don’t hesitate to choose ranunculus, which are widely grown in the Var region. As Valentine’s Day approaches, you can also opt for anemones, which come in a wide range of colors, or mimosa. Finally, tulips are beginning to bloom and can be used to create lovely romantic bouquets.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.