Did You Know Rose Colors Actually Have Meaning?

We are a week away from Valentines Day. Guys, have you thought about what you're getting her? Candy? Lingerie? Tickets to see Lady Gaga in Chicago? Restraining order? I bet roses are on the top of the list. Well, if they are for that special person in your life, your pry  wondering what's the meaning behind the color so you don't send her the wrong message. Lemme help my boys out.

Red: Love and Romance

One of the most universal of all symbols, the red rose represents true love. It has also appeared throughout history and across cultures as both a political and religious symbol. Perfect for: Freaking out your first date; covering beer stains; wooing a hunky bishop.

Yellow: Friendship, Joy, Get Well

Throughout history, yellow has been closely associated with the sun, making these roses excellent for cheering people up. Yellow roses send a message of appreciation and platonic love without the romantic subtext of other colors. The color represents feelings of joy and delight. Perfect for: Tormenting your ex; worshiping Sekhmet or your solar deity of choice; picnics in the 1930s.

Lavender: Enchantment, Majesty, Love at First Sight

The color purple has a traditional association with royalty. In this regard, shades of lavender roses suggest an air of regal majesty and splendor. Perfect for: Encouraging crazy bosses; patronizing The Queen; dinner with Kanye.

Pink: Love, Gratitude, Appreciation

Pink carries with it the connotation of grace and elegance, as well as sweetness and poetic romance. Dark pink roses are symbolic of gratitude and appreciation, and are a traditional way to say thanks. Light pink roses are associated with gentleness and admiration, and can also be used as an expression of sympathy. Perfect for: Sick secretaries; the platinum blonde in your life.

White: Purity, Innocence, Sympathy, Spirituality

Early tradition used white roses as a symbol for true love, an association which would later become the hallmark of the red rose. Also known as the bridal rose, the white rose is a traditional wedding flower. In this sense, white represents unity, virtue, and the pureness of a new love. White roses are also associated with honor and reverence, which makes them a fitting memorial for a departed loved one. Perfect for: Your wife (first day of marriage); that weird neighborhood kid who always wears a cummerbund; your wife (last day of marriage.)

Orange: Desire, Enthusiasm and Passion

A literal mixture of yellow and red, orange roses were seen as a bridge between friendship symbolized by yellow roses and love represented by red roses. They can be an expression of fascination, or a gift to say 'I'm proud of you.' Perfect for: Halloween honeymoons; minor academic achievements (first A-, graduation from butcher academy, etc.); subtly hitting on married people.

Pay close attention to the color fellas. You don't want to send your valentine the wrong message because you picked out the wrong color, or even worse...she could give YOU a restraining order for Valentines Day.