Flowers are the obvious gift for anyone on a special occasion. The most traditional symbol of love and affection is the rose. The symbolism, however, is lost on most people. The color, kind and even arrangement of the flowers is laden with specific meanings. Most people just purchase what they think looks best, but it is a good idea to think about the hidden meanings as you purchase for either a close



friend or coworker.

For someone whom you have a strictly platonic relationship with use only light colored blooms. These are a symbol of friendship. Flowers in Israel, such as pink and peach colored blossoms, imply admiration, kindness and thankfulness. These are pretty and appropriate for almost every friendship. Although you may have heard that the yellow rose signifies friendship, beware – it can also symbolize jealousy. Israel florists recommend that if you want to give yellow flowers, be sure to mix them with another color.

A new relationship could be celebrated with white roses, showing innocent and good int entions. Pink roses of all hues say "I'm thankful for you." Violet or lavender roses most often symbolize love at first sight. Choose thornless roses for the most meaning. Wonder and exotic interest can be shown with an orange rose, but be careful of these of

your relationship is still in the beginning stages. Also avoid mixing yellow and orange roses in the same arrangement as this implies

passion. If you're ready to confess love, use the moss rose.

Although we associate almost all roses with "love," it is actually only the red rose that truly says, "I love you." In Tel Aviv flowers are grown yearlong making roses available year-round. A dozen or more red roses is truly a declaration of your feelings. Often flowers accompany a wedding proposal. Some suggest closed blooms to represent the promise of things to come. It is recommended to avoid thorns, as you want a message of safety. If you're not ready to share the good news, propose with a symbol of secrecy – two buds under an open bloom. To say "yes," a lady will touch her lips to the rose. To say "no," she will pinch off a petal and toss it to the ground. When it is finally time for the wedding a mixture of white and red roses join together to symbolize unity.

Flowers are usually meant for showing affection, or the start of a new

relationship. Roses can also end a relationship. Yellow roses can say,

"I'm jealous," or even worse, "I don't love you as much." Even though thornless roses can show safety, sometimes safety can mean boredom. A

dying rose can imply desperation and sadness, but a withered red rose says that love has ended. The final end to a relationship, or death would be a shriveled black rose.

Even if you don't believe in the symbolism of roses, still try to keep it in mind when you give or receive flowers. Some people believe in

them strongly -- you could accidentally send the wrong message! Flowers speak their own language, so be sure to get the message right.