History Behind the Dozen Roses

Primary Significance: Thinking of you 12 months a year

When it comes to conveying a special meaning with roses, there is more than just the color to consider. The number of roses also plays an important role in the message, and the number most commonly associated with roses is one dozen. The traditional connotation of one dozen roses is love and appreciation, and when we think of a bouquet of roses, it is most often comprised of one dozen stems. This is a custom that has arisen from the significance of the number twelve within many aspects of nature, religion, and philosophy.

During the Victorian Era, the practice of flower giving took on an added dimension with the advent of the Language of Flowers. This elaborate conception associated a different meaning to all manner of flowers, including roses. Many of the meanings we attribute to different colors and numbers of roses survive from this period. One of the most significant is the use of one dozen red roses as a declaration of love. One dozen roses have also become a representation of perfection and completeness. These associations can be largely attributed to the symbolism of the number twelve itself.

The number twelve is often used to represent a complete cycle, such as the 12 months in the year, the 12 hours on the clock or the 12 signs of the zodiac. In fact, cultures around the world from ancient to modern times have developed calendars based on cycles of twelve. The number appears throughout mythological and religious traditions as well. The recurrence of the number twelve across the natural and spiritual world has given it a sacred and mystical quality which is universal. These aspects all play into the significance of one dozen roses.

Rose bouquets come in a variety of colors and are used to convey many different meanings for all types of occasions. However, there is often a common thread. It has become customary for rose bouquets to consist of one dozen roses. They can be used to represent perfect beauty or to express our complete love and gratitude. One dozen red roses have become the definitive symbol for true love. Whether is Valentine’s Day, a birthday or whatever the occasion may be, when the quantity of roses is one dozen it adds a wealth of magnitude to the underlying message. This is why sending a bouquet of one dozen roses continues to be such a popular way to communicate our most heart-felt sentiments.