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Russian birthday flowers
Drez
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I have a lot of female Russian friends, but I've mostly eschewed the tradition of giving flowers on their birthday (this is fairly common). I decided I would surprise my best friend of 16 years and have flowers sent to her house, but I'm not sure what kind/color. A dozen red roses? Does anyone know?
Just to be clear: This is a completely non-romantic gesture (she is my very happily married BFF with kids). For 15 years I've joked that I would get her flowers "next year" so I figured I'd make good this year. I know red isn't your traditional American "friendship" color but I don't know if that applies to the Russian tradition.
Thanks. I'm trying to google this too but if anyone here knows that would be fantasticabulous.
Just to be clear: This is a completely non-romantic gesture (she is my very happily married BFF with kids). For 15 years I've joked that I would get her flowers "next year" so I figured I'd make good this year. I know red isn't your traditional American "friendship" color but I don't know if that applies to the Russian tradition.
Thanks. I'm trying to google this too but if anyone here knows that would be fantasticabulous.
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1: Get an odd number as there is a clear dichotomy between even number arrangements (which are for funerals and other losses) and odd ones (birthdays, home visits, etc.).
2: Don't get yellow, as it's basically a breakup or separation gesture.
Everything else is pretty much just tradition and most people don't really care, so it's all personal preference. That said, if you want to get into that:
Chamomile is the traditional (and actually official) Russian flower. Crocus, Tulips (especially in spring), Roses, Iris, and Lilac are also popular.
Red is fine as long as it's not carnations (as that's a symbol of the war) but usually evokes a more intimate or passionate relationship. Pale colors in general are more friendship style.
This tag didn't work for me for some reason!
Odd numbers are correct, they sit better in a vase generally but then again it depends on the vase. I'm British (florist 6 years) and I've never heard of yellow being a break-up colour, I've always heard it was friendship. People very rarely go for traditional symbols these days, I'd just ask for something cheerful and seasonal that way no other "hidden meaning" could be interpreted. Don't go roses though, they're romance.
Red roses is pretty much "let's bone".
Yellow roses stand for friendship, but roses are a bit pricey and still might be interpreted slightly wrong. Just ger her a nice little arrangement from a local florist featuring yellow and white flowers.
I did some more digging around on the webs and spoke to some of my Russian female friends on Facebook. They more or less confirmed what @MrTLicious said. Basically: Yellow flowers are bad in Russian - they signify a breakup/separation. Even number of flowers are generally given at funerals and other "negative" events, so an odd number of flowers is better.
Re: Color. Honestly, I could even get away with red - there's no way my gesture will be considered romantic anyway (this is my BFF of 16 years - I visited their family on Thanksgiving - there's no romantic entanglement there and never has been) - but I'd like to be as "traditional" as possible, as a surprise. Her birthday is tomorrow, and tulips are a good "spring" flower and pink/purple/white are good spring colors for tulips or roses. I don't really get that they are overly romantic? And yellow is definitely out (for this, anyway).
My only concern is that 1-800-FLOWERS generally contracts with local florists to arrange and deliver. But, I can't seem to control the number of flowers. Meh. My Russian friends said that it's not a HUGE deal if an even number, but it's definitely better if it's not.
I wonder if I should call 1-800-FLOWERS and see if I can put in a special request for an odd number of flowers.
Or does anyone know any better flower vendors I can try?
However, if you want go via a relay service like 1-800, Interflora or EFlorist you can often find an option for something simple such as "hand-tied" or "gift-wrap" where you enter your own specific price and can add instructions. such as "please make this odd number of flowers, important". You can often also add instructions onto standard set items because often its just needed, so you could add the instruction there. Its not an outlandish request or anything. Maybe phone up 1-800 or whichever relay service you use and place the order via phone if you want to double check they allow an instruction section.
Maybe I'll look up local florists and give them a call.