The red rose has come to be the ultimate symbol/gift to express romantic love. There’s no more frequent or enduring symbol of love and beauty in Western art and literature than red roses. Scottish poet Robert Burns compared his love to one. Alice in Wonderland’s playing cards nearly lost their heads over them. Red also roses pop up frequently in classical paintings, contemporary films and many other places. Though the red rose has a long and storied history, it still reigns as the ultimate symbol of passionate affection.

Pink roses are your go-to multipurpose roses. They are appropriate for sending thanks, cheering up a friend, or recognizing a romantic occasion. Horticulturally pink roses were the first color rose cultivated, mostly because pink roses are most common in the wild. From there they went on to enjoy a long history in Western art and decoration. The Victorians took it even further by, depicting it everywhere from wallpaper to upholstery to greeting cards. The pink rose has always been associated with feelings of love and gratitude. However, evolving cultivation techniques have created a wider array of pink rose shades, and thus the meanings attached to them have become more nuanced. It’s said that darker pink roses are symbolic of gratitude and appreciation, while lighter pinks are associated with gentleness and admiration.

White roses are said to showcase the structural beauty of the rose better than any other color as there is no bright color to distract from it. They are suited to reverent occasions, and are fitting way to honor a friend or loved one in recognition of a new beginning or a farewell. The pure white color conveys respect, pays homage to new starts and expresses hope for the future. Historically, the white rose symbolized innocence and purity. This is how it became associated with weddings and bridal bouquets. In modern times, the white rose has retained its associations with both pure love and formal ceremony, which makes it a many-purposed recognition of unions and ceremonial occasions, such as anniversaries, christenings and graduations.