Do you want to give roses to a woman and wonder how many to give? What does a bouquet of 5 roses mean? What about 12 roses? What does a single rose signify?
I will help you.
As a florist, I help my clients every day to find the perfect gift to express their feelings. Flower of love, the rose is often the ideal choice.
Today, I’m sharing all my knowledge about the language of flowers to help you determine how many roses to give based on the message you want to convey.
A single rose symbolizes a sudden attraction, while three roses convey a declaration of love. If you’re looking to give a very romantic gift, consider giving nine roses, which signify that you want to spend your life with someone, or even thirty-six roses to express that your love is passionate. Finally, if you really want to give an unforgettable gift, an everlasting rose will be a stunning token of love, as it represents eternal feelings.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- What is the symbolism of the rose?
- Why is it said that you should give roses in odd numbers?
- How many roses should you give to express your feelings or for a first date?
- How many roses should be included in a bouquet for a marriage proposal?
- What quantity symbolizes absolute and infinite love?
What Does the Rose Symbolize in the Language of Flowers?
Celebrated since ancient times, the rose is universally regarded as the queen of flowers. In the following lines, I invite you to learn a bit more about it to understand the origins of its symbolism.
The Rose, Muse of Poets and Flower of Love
Known to everyone, the rose appears in many stories. It is mentioned in Greek mythology, where it is said to have been created by the goddess of flowers, Chloris, who transformed the body of a nymph into a rose. It is also referenced in the tale of Venus, the goddess of love. Indeed, while trying to heal her beloved Adonis, she accidentally pricked herself on the thorns of a rose bush. Her blood then turned a white rose red: thus was born the scarlet rose, a symbol of love around the world.
The rose has also served as a source of inspiration for many poets throughout history. One of the most famous is the poem by Pierre de Ronsard, which begins with the well-known line: “My lovely one, let’s go see if the rose…”, and is a declaration of love from the poet to a woman.
In the language of flowers, giving roses, especially red ones, is considered the ultimate declaration of love. This flower reflects the intensity of your feelings and represents the passion that drives you.
Who and When to Give It To?
The rose can be given to the person who makes your heart race, whether it’s a budding romance or someone who has been a part of your life for years. It can be a simple gift with no special occasion, a way to celebrate your love every day, but it can also be offered:
- for Valentine’s Day,
- for a relationship or wedding anniversary,
- to celebrate an engagement,
- to mark a fresh start (moving in together, graduation, new job…) or a birth…
This beautiful flower represents more than just romantic love. In fact, some colors of roses are even dedicated to friends and family. Giving them one or more roses is a wonderful way to show how much they mean to you every day!
👉 Are you wondering if you can give roses to a man? Check out our article dedicated to this question!
How Much to Give? The Importance of the Amount
When giving roses, the number you present is an important detail to consider for two reasons:
- because every quantity has significance,
- to create visual balance.
👉 If you simply want to create a harmonious bouquet, I recommend choosing an odd number of roses if you’re using fewer than ten. In fact, when using fewer than this amount, the human eye can easily perceive whether the arrangement of a bouquet is balanced or not. An odd-numbered bouquet will be more visually pleasing!
What Do the Different Numbers of Roses Mean?
If you want your flowers to convey a message of love to someone special, you can refer to the symbolism associated with different quantities of roses. Discover the secrets in the following paragraphs!
1 rose: “I have hope for our relationship,” “I really like you”
Giving a rose is perfect, especially at the beginning of a relationship, to show your interest in someone. It’s an ideal gift to bring on a first date, or simply to show someone that you have a crush on them.
However, it can also be a gift given to the person who shares your life, not for any particular reason, but simply to show them that you are thinking of them and that your love for them grows a little stronger every day.
2 Roses: “I Am Sorry”
Do you need to make amends? In that case, giving two roses to your special someone is a gesture that can soothe their heart. Be sure to include a small card with a note expressing your apologies, so that your intention is clearly understood.
3 Roses: “I Love You”
This number is perfect for a romantic love declaration. Three roses would look lovely in a vase, creating a beautiful balance. They can also hold symbolic meaning, especially if you’re a couple with a child or an exciting event on the horizon.
It’s also an ideal gift for Valentine’s Day!
5 Roses: “I Admire You”, “Congratulations”
Do you want to show your appreciation to someone who means a lot to you? Five roses symbolize just that. This type of gift is suitable for a romantic context, but it can also be given to a loved one who has successfully achieved an important milestone in their life. For instance, you could give five roses to your daughter to congratulate her on graduating!
9 Roses: “I Love You Forever”
Giving 9 roses signifies a long-term commitment in a relationship. This number conveys to your partner that you love them passionately and envision a future together. It’s the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, a couple’s anniversary, or even after being together for a while.
12 Roses: “Will You Marry Me?”
Traditionally, the bouquet given for a marriage proposal consists of twelve roses. Symbolically, the number 12 represents a complete cycle, just like the 12 hours on a clock or the 12 months in a year. This reflects your desire to spend your life with your partner.
17 Roses: Rose Anniversary
17 Years of Marriage correspond to the well-known rose anniversary. A bouquet of 17 roses makes for the perfect gift to celebrate the time you’ve spent together and the years yet to come!
36 Roses: “I Love You Passionately”
Are you looking to make a beautiful declaration of love? A bouquet of 36 red roses is perfect for showing that special someone just how much they mean to you. Receiving a large bouquet of roses as a surprise is very romantic: it’s sure to delight your partner!
101 Roses and More
Do you want to give an unforgettable gift? One that your partner will remember for a lifetime? With an impressive bouquet of 101 roses or even more, you will create a wonderful memory for your relationship! Such a grand gesture symbolizes eternal and infinite love. It is a true testament to absolute love.
👉 If you want to create a beautiful romantic setting for your partner, filled with dozens or even hundreds of roses, it’s not the quantity that matters, but the thoughtfulness behind it!
Some Other Important Numbers
You now know the most important numerical symbols. However, there are sometimes others that include:
- 13 roses: “You are my friend for life,”
- 24 roses: “I can’t stop thinking about you,”
- 50 roses: “My love for you knows no bounds.”
For certain occasions, the meaning of the number depends on the circumstances. Therefore, for a classic birthday or even a wedding anniversary, you can give as many roses as the number of years to make it special.
The Eternal Rose: Discover Its Meaning and What It Represents!
Have you always dreamed of giving your loved one a flower that symbolizes your love and will never wilt? That flower exists, and it’s the eternal rose!
These roses are not artificial: they are real flowers selected for their beauty, and their sap has been replaced with a natural preservative, glycerin. Some are dyed and can feature exceptional colors, such as blue or purple.
Because they can be kept for years without damage (and require no maintenance!), preserved roses make the perfect romantic gift. Their name symbolizes endless love, which time cannot diminish.
Presented as a dome composition, this is a delicate gift that evokes the passionate love found in Beauty and the Beast, in the film of the same name.
🌹 Looking to give this exceptional gift? Explore our wide range of preserved roses in our online store!
🧸 For those looking for a sweet and cuddly gift, check out our adorable rose teddy bears!
Thanks to this article, the number of roses to give is no longer a mystery for you! To learn all about the language of flowers, you can check out our various guides that reveal the detailed meaning of each rose color:
- Red: passionate love,
- White: purity and honesty,
- Pink: tenderness, sweetness, and motherhood,
- Orange: friendship and sensuality,
- Yellow: infidelity, betrayal, but also friendship,
- Blue: mystery, refinement, inaccessibility,
- Black: mourning, tribute, but also prestige,
- Green: nature, tranquility, hope.