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
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.
Which color is best for Valentine's Day? ›
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.
What do the colors of love mean? ›
As each colour represents a different meaning like white represents innocence, charm and purity, red represents romance and love, yellow represents joy, orange represents enthusiasm and energy, blue represents calmness and loyalty, pink represents admiration and gentleness, and so on.
What is the true meaning of Valentine's Day? ›
While the date is meant to honor Saint Valentine's death and burial, which supposedly occurred in mid-February around 270 AD, some historians believe the date could reflect the Catholic Church's attempt to replace the ancient Pagan celebration of Lupercalia — a fertility festival for the pagan agricultural god Faunus — ...
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.
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.
What does it mean to wear purple on Valentine's Day? ›
Purple can be your go-to as well. Since purple contains both red and blue, it's representative of red's passion and blue's serenity.
What does yellow mean on Valentine's Day? ›
With yellow roses representing friendship and red roses signifying love, orange roses are thought of as the bridge between the two.
What color causes love? ›
Red: love, passion, anger
Red is one of the most intense, stimulating colors that raises a room's energy. Muted shades can pique feelings of love, passion, and sensuality, while bright hues may trigger anger, strength, and power.
What color symbolizes sadness? ›
Colours are usually associated with moods, therefore dark colours (for dark moods) such as grey and black are usually associated with sadness, whereas bright colours like red, orange & yellow are associated with happiness.
In Europe and America, grey is the color most associated with boredom, loneliness and emptiness. It is associated with rainy days and winter. Silver symbolizes rest. Historically: In antiquity and the Middle Ages, grey was the color of undyed wool, and so it was the color most worn by peasants and the poor.
What does the Bible say about Valentine's Day? ›
1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Why is February 14 special? ›
It was celebrated as the day of romance for over a period of time from about the 14th century. Another legend says that St Valentine was executed on February 14 as a punishment for performing secret marriages to save the husbands from going to war, as they were banned by Roman emperor Claudius II.
What is the best quote for Valentine's Day? ›
Cute Valentine's Day Quotes
- “You are the person I never knew how to write, and this life is the story I have always wanted to tell.” — ...
- “Unless you love someone, nothing else makes sense.” — ...
- “You are what I never knew I always wanted.” — ...
- “For love, I'd do anything.
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 purple mean on Valentine's Day? ›
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 yellow mean in Valentine's Day? ›
If you recently broke up, wear a yellow colour dress and define yourself better. Remember, a breakup is not the end of the world, and your ideal life partner must be waiting for you.
What does it mean if you wear white on Valentine's Day? ›
WHITE. You often also see a lot of white on Valentine's Day, and when you look into white as being a part of the dress code it connects to being “reserved” or the fact that you have accepted a proposal and you're on your way to being married.
