Roses are enduring symbols, where the color of each bloom traditionally communicates a specific message. This practice, called floriography, assigns meanings to different hues, allowing the giver to express sentiments from romance to quiet appreciation. Understanding these color associations is necessary to choose the correct flower, ensuring the intended message is one of affection, respect, or platonic love. Certain colors remain universally recognized for conveying the unique bond of friendship.
The Specific Color of the Named ‘Friendship’ Rose
While general symbolism points to certain colors for friendship, there is a specific, commercially named cultivar called ‘Friendship.’ This variety is classified as a Hybrid Tea rose, known for its large, high-centered blooms and long stems. The original ‘Friendship’ rose, introduced in the 1970s, is often described as a vibrant deep pink or salmon-pink, sometimes exhibiting apricot tones in its opening stage.
The name ‘Friendship’ has also been applied to other cultivars by different breeders. For example, the ‘Harkness Rose ‘Friendship” has creamy lemon or ivory cream blooms. Another variety, the ‘True Bloom™ True Friendship’ Hybrid Tea, is an award-winning yellow rose. These variations highlight the difference between traditional symbolic meaning and the marketing of a specific named flower, where the name is chosen to celebrate the concept rather than adhere to a fixed color symbolism.
Yellow and Pink: The Universal Colors of Friendship
For most people seeking a flower to represent platonic affection, the yellow rose is the universally accepted choice. Yellow roses radiate warmth, joy, and light, making them the traditional emblem of friendship and happiness. This bright hue is associated with sunshine, symbolizing the delight and positive energy a friend brings into one’s life. Giving a yellow rose conveys genuine companionship and appreciation for a friend’s positive presence.
Pink roses offer a softer, more nuanced expression of platonic affection, focusing on appreciation and admiration. This color is widely recognized for symbolizing gratitude, grace, and gentle affection. Darker shades of pink convey appreciation and thankfulness. Conversely, lighter pinks signify sweetness, admiration, and gentle joy. When used in the context of friendship, pink roses acknowledge the kindness and support shared between companions.
Nuances and Other Hues of Affection
Beyond the primary friendship colors, other rose hues communicate subtle variations of platonic sentiment. Peach roses are a warm, elegant choice emphasizing sincerity, gratitude, and appreciation. These roses are often given to say “thank you” for a kindness or to express genuine respect for a colleague or friend. Their soft tones convey modesty and genuineness.
White roses, while traditionally associated with purity and new beginnings, also carry a meaning of loyalty and deep respect in friendship. They symbolize an untarnished, honest bond and are sometimes used as a gesture of remembrance or to honor a friend. Mixed bouquets allow for complex messages; combining yellow and pink roses merges the themes of joy and appreciation into a single expression of gratitude.