Pink Roses or Red Roses for My Invitations?

Roses are probably the most well-known of all flowers. Regardless of their color, roses are packed with symbolism which is why they work so beautifully as themes for weddings or other types of parties. And, of course, they make perfect adornments for any invitation.

While roses come in a number of different colors, the two most popular tend to be pink and red. Which color is right for your occasion depends on a number of factors but before we delve too deeply into which is the perfect choice let’s delve a little bit into the symbolism of these beautiful flowers.

The Symbolism of the Rose

Our association of the rose with beauty and love dates all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. To them, the rose was a symbol of the goddesses of love: Aphrodite and Venus. However, the symbolism somehow changed over time. Eventually, the rose became associated with secrecy or a need for privacy – outside of meetings, for example, a rose would be placed in front of the door as the equivalent of a “do not disturb” sign.

Later, the rose became an important symbol of Christianity. Initially, their petals were associated with Jesus and his crucifixion. But eventually, the flower became a symbol of the Virgin Mary.

Pink or Red Roses?

Roses do come in many beautiful colors, but it’s the pink and red versions that seem to receive the most admiration. After all, the word rose is almost synonymous with those colors and in some languages cognates of “rose” mean those colors. For example, in Spanish “rosa” means pink.

Clearly, either color could be an excellent choice. However, their shades do have their own unique meanings as well. Keeping these meanings in mind when making your final decision about whether to include pink or red roses on your invitations is a good idea.

Red roses, obviously, stand for passion and deep love. Giving someone a red rose is like saying “I love you.” Pink roses are a little more complex because they come in different shades. The most common pink color stands for friendship, not love. It might be appropriate for a relationship that is just beginning to blossom – probably not the best choice for a wedding. Light pink roses symbolize admiration while dark pink roses stand for gratitude.

Choosing the right color roses for your invitations depends on the theme of your party and of which color meaning is going to be most appropriate for your get together.

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