Flower colour meanings across cultures
What flower colours mean in Western, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other traditions — and the colours to avoid for weddings, funerals, hospital visits and gifts abroad.
Key facts
- White means weddings in the West and mourning in China, Japan and Korea.
- Red is romantic in the West and lucky in China — but wrong for East Asian funerals.
- Pink is the safest colour across cultures.
| Colour | What it says, and where to be careful |
|---|---|
| Red | Love and passion in the West; luck, joy and celebration in China, where red suits weddings, openings and New Year. Avoid red for funerals and condolences in East Asia. |
| Pink | Gratitude, admiration and gentle affection — the safest colour across cultures and the classic Mother's Day choice. |
| White | Purity and new beginnings at Western weddings, and remembrance in sympathy work. In China, Japan and Korea white is the colour of mourning, so avoid all-white gifts for celebrations there. |
| Yellow | Friendship and cheer in the US and UK. In Russia and parts of Eastern Europe yellow flowers can signal parting or jealousy, and in East Asia yellow and white chrysanthemums are for mourning. |
| Orange | Energy, warmth and enthusiasm. Orange marigolds mark Día de los Muertos in Mexico and festival garlands in India. |
| Purple | Admiration, dignity and a touch of luxury. Purple and lavender are also common in Western sympathy flowers. |
| Blue | Calm, trust and serenity. True blue is rare in flowers, which is why this list is short — and why blue roses are always dyed. |
| Green | Renewal, health and good fortune. Green flowers and foliage calm a busy palette and frame the focal blooms. |
Rose colours
| Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Love and passion |
| Pink | Gratitude and admiration |
| White | Purity and new beginnings; also remembrance |
| Yellow | Friendship today; jealousy in Victorian flower language |
| Orange | Enthusiasm and desire |
| Purple (lavender) | Enchantment — love at first sight |
Rose · How many flowers to give: meanings and taboos by culture
Carnation colours
| Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Admiration and deep love |
| Pink | A mother's love — the Mother's Day classic |
| White | Pure love and good luck; in American and Japanese tradition, white carnations honour a mother who has died |
| Yellow | Disappointment or rejection in Victorian flower language |
What Floreboard checks
- White or yellow chrysanthemums in a design for a joyful occasion (wedding, birthday, opening, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, graduation).
- Palettes that span five or more colour families, which tend to look cluttered.
Flowers by colour · Funeral and sympathy flowers: customs by culture · Flower meanings: the language of flowers
FAQ
What colour flowers are for funerals?
White in most of the world, and white and yellow in China, Japan and Korea. Avoid red and other celebratory colours at East Asian funerals.
Is it rude to give yellow flowers?
Not in the US or UK, where yellow means friendship. In Russia and parts of Eastern Europe yellow can suggest parting or jealousy, and yellow chrysanthemums are mourning flowers in East Asia.
What colour roses mean friendship?
Yellow. Pink roses say thank you; red roses are romantic.
What colour flowers are lucky in China?
Red, with pink, gold and orange as supporting colours. Avoid all-white arrangements and white or yellow chrysanthemums for celebrations.
Why should red and white flowers not be mixed for a hospital in the UK?
An old British hospital superstition reads red and white together as "blood and bandages". Many people no longer know it, but older patients may.