Why Do We Give Roses on Valentine’s Day?
This article will uncover how the rose became a timeless symbol of romance and explore the many meanings this beloved bloom can convey.
Why Do We Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on the fourteenth of February. Though commercially, it’s a day to celebrate love and make romantic gestures, its origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where persecuted Christians observed this day to honour Saint Valentine, a martyr who was persecuted for his faith and acts of kindness. Legend has it that he once tutored a jailer’s blind daughter, Julia. While praying together, God restored her sight. Valentine, on the eve of his execution, wrote a note to Julia and signed it, ‘From your Valentine’ – a phrase that continues to inspire the tradition of exchanging Valentine’s Day cards to this day.
However, some scholars have rooted Valentine’s Day to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated on the fifteenth of February. During this pagan festival, animals such as dogs and goats were sacrificed, and women were whipped with thongs from the newly sacrificed goats in honour of the gods of agriculture and fertility. Additionally, men would play an annual game of pulling a woman’s name out of a jar. This arrangement paired them together for the rest of the year until the next festival, often resulting in couples falling in love and eventually marrying. This tradition later inspired the modern custom of pairing up and celebrating love on this day, evolving into a commercial practice of exchanging gifts such as cards, chocolates and flowers.
History of Giving Flowers on Valentine’s Day
While the famous medieval-era writer and poet Geoffrey Chaucer linked St Valentine’s Day with romance, the knights gave their maidens roses to commemorate their beauty. The tradition of giving flowers peaked in the Victorian era, when the language of flowers, or floriography, flourished. People from the upper and middle classes used flowers to convey emotions often left unspoken due to strict social norms. Publishers capitalised on the practice by printing books detailing the different flowers’ meanings, enabling people to interpret and craft their own messages. Florists also gained significantly from this social ritual of decoding flowers and took full advantage to boost their sales of flowers for Valentine’s Day.
How The Rose Came a Symbol of Love
The Renaissance period, which was fixated on Greek and Roman mythology, influenced art and literature for many centuries. The rose is mentioned in stories of the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus, and it heavily symbolises love, beauty, secrecy and eternal devotion. As a result, its association with romance and pleasure has become ingrained in society, influencing the later adoption of roses as a key symbol of Valentine’s Day.
The Meaning Behind Rose Colours
Red Roses
Associated with deep love, passion, romance and heartfelt devotion.
Pink Roses
Often reflect admiration and gratitude. They also convey softer emotions associated with appreciation and kindness.
White Roses
Regularly chosen for weddings to express sincerity and fresh starts, they also represent purity and innocence.
Yellow Roses
Symbolise friendship and joy. Perfect for uplifting spirits and spreading cheer.
Orange Roses
Evoke enthusiasm, desire and celebration, often symbolising the energetic and passionate side of relationships or personal pursuits.
Green Roses
Embodies harmony, fertility and renewal, often associated with childbirth.
Purple Roses
Expresses newfound love. It is also associated with enchantment, mystery and royalty.
Blue Roses
Represent mystery and are often associated with dreams and authenticity to strive for the impossible.
Black Roses
It can signify mourning, farewell and the end of a chapter. It can also symbolise strength, transformation and overcoming adversity.
Top Twelve Commonly Given Numbers of Roses and Their Meaning
One Rose
A single rose conveys love at first sight
Two Roses
Represents a deep bond between two people in a partnership.
Three Roses
Traditionally expresses the simple yet profound message of ‘I love you’.
Six Roses
Signifies loyalty and commitment – ready to take the relationship to the next step
Nine Roses
Expresses eternal love. Promises togetherness forever.
Ten Roses
Convey the message, ‘You are perfect’, admiring significant other’s unique qualities.
Twelve Roses
Used to declare deepest love and affection
Fifteen Roses
It serves as a heartfelt way to seek forgiveness and say, ‘I’m sorry.’
Twenty-Four Roses
Making sure the significant other knows ‘You’re always on my mind’ every hour of every day.
Fifty Roses
A grand gesture associated with a golden anniversary, expressing a lifetime commitment of love and devotion.
Ninety-Nine Roses
An eternal promise to cherish a significant other forever without end or conditions.
One Hundred Roses
A grand declaration of love and adoration.
Owner and Lead Florist at the Flower Room Radcliffe on Trent
Yvonne is the owner and lead florist at The Flower Room, with over 35 years of experience in the floral industry. Based in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottingham, Yvonne has cultivated a multi-award-winning establishment renowned for its exquisite, fresh blooms and unparalleled customer service. Her passion for floristry shines through in every bespoke arrangement, from everyday bouquets to grand wedding displays. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality, Yvonne leads a team of highly skilled florists, ensuring each creation meets The Flower Room’s exceptional standards.