Guide · all year
What each flower color means (and when to give it)
On TikTok, dates are named by color: the yellow ones, the purple ones, the blue ones. This is the cheat sheet: what each color conveys and on which days of the year it is given.
- Yellow
- Joy and friendshipSeptember 21
- Blue
- Loyalty and trustOctober 3
- Purple
- AdmirationNovember 9
- Red
- Romantic loveFebruary 14
Yellow flowers
Joy, friendship, hope and new beginnings. It is the easiest color to give: it works for partners, friends or family without sounding like a declaration.
Red flowers
Romantic love and passion: the red rose is the universal code for “I like you”. In December, in Mexico, red is also the color of the poinsettia and of the roses for Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Pink flowers
Affection, tenderness and gratitude. Less intense than red, which is why it is the color for mothers, friends and first gestures.
Blue flowers
Loyalty, trust and calm. Blue flowers are scarce in nature, which makes them special; on social media they became “the flowers for guys”.
Purple flowers
Admiration, respect and a touch of mystery, like the nameless admirer in “Un ramito de violetas”. They are given to your “purple person”.
Orange flowers
Warmth and energy. In Mexico it is above all the color of cempasúchil, the flower that, according to tradition, guides the souls to the altar.
White flowers
Peace, purity and remembrance. Depending on the country, white means good luck, like the muguet given in France on May 1, or memory, like the chrysanthemums of All Saints’ Day.
The same color doesn’t say the same thing everywhere
The meaning of a flower depends on the country and the moment. The white chrysanthemum is a cemetery flower in Spain, yet it is common in bouquets elsewhere. The mimosa of March 8 is a gift in Italy, whereas in Spain and Latin America 8M is above all a day of protest.
If in doubt, mix colors: a varied bouquet, like the tulips in the photo, almost never fails. And if no date feels right for you, remember that any day is a good day to buy yourself flowers.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to give yellow flowers?
Joy, friendship and hope. They are given above all on September 21 and, in Mexico, on March 21.
What does it mean to give blue flowers?
Loyalty and trust. They are given on October 3, Boyfriend Day, and on November 19, Men’s Day.
What does it mean to give purple flowers?
Admiration and respect. They are given on November 9 to your “purple person”.
What do red flowers mean?
Romantic love and passion. They are the flowers of Valentine’s Day and Sant Jordi.
What do white flowers mean?
Peace, purity and remembrance. In France white muguet on May 1 brings luck; in Spain white chrysanthemums are taken to the cemetery on All Saints’ Day.
