What Carnation Day Means and How to Choose the Right Flowers
Carnation Day usually refers to National Carnation Day in the United States on 29 January, associated with President William McKinley and his fondness for wearing a red carnation. In Russia, red carnations have a different prominent association: remembrance and respect on Victory Day, 9 May. The meaning therefore depends on the country, the occasion and the message accompanying the flowers.
At Pyat Tsvetov (5 Flowers), a useful starting point for customers choosing carnations is whether the flowers are for a living recipient, a celebration or a memorial. Colour matters, but the occasion and stem count can matter more in Russia. We have operated flower shops in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and this guide explains how to make those choices clear when sending flowers from abroad.
Which Carnation Day does the date refer to?
The American observance falls on McKinley's birthday, 29 January. His habit of wearing a red carnation helped connect the flower with his memory, so references to National Carnation Day often include him. This is a commemorative association with a particular date, rather than a universal rule about when carnations should be given.
For a recipient in Russia, do not assume that an English reference to Carnation Day means a familiar Russian celebration. Red carnations are strongly associated with Victory Day on 9 May, when they express remembrance and respect for wartime sacrifice. The American January observance and the Russian May tradition have separate histories and purposes.
Check the date and country in the invitation, calendar entry or message that prompted your search. If you are giving flowers specifically for 29 January, explain the connection briefly in your card. For a Russian remembrance occasion, our guide to Victory Day flowers and red carnations gives more context for choosing an appropriate tribute.
What carnation colours communicate
Red carnations can suggest affection and admiration, but in Russia they also carry a strong public meaning of courage, remembrance and respect. A red bouquet may therefore feel solemn when presented without explanation near 9 May. For a personal gift, a direct note such as “With love on your birthday” helps establish the intended meaning.
Pink carnations are often associated with gratitude and affection, while white carnations can suggest purity or remembrance. These are common interpretations, not a fixed language understood identically by every recipient. White flowers can suit both a celebration and a memorial, so the occasion, presentation and card should work together.
Yellow carnations appear with conflicting meanings in flower symbolism guides, including disappointment or rejection. Those associations are not a reliable prediction of how a recipient will understand them. If you know someone loves yellow, that preference is useful guidance; if you do not, choose a familiar favourite colour and state your sentiment plainly.
Bouquets we can deliver
Russian etiquette: gifts, remembrance and stem counts
In Russian custom, an odd number of flowers is the usual choice for a gift to a living person. Even numbers are traditionally associated with funerals and memorial offerings, especially in small bouquets where the stems are easy to count. For a straightforward carnation gift, three, five or seven stems avoids an unintended mourning association.
For a memorial visit, an even number of carnations is customary. Keep the tribute restrained and check the arrangements for the particular ceremony or site before taking flowers there. If you are attending with relatives, follow their guidance about where and when to place the flowers, since family practice gives context that colour symbolism alone cannot provide.
Carnations can also be everyday gifts for birthdays, thanks or affection. Their commemorative role does not make every carnation bouquet a memorial tribute, although a recipient's personal associations deserve consideration. Our article on carnations as a Russian symbol and everyday gift explores that distinction in more detail.
Make the occasion clear with a personal message
Choose the message before settling on the bouquet. A birthday greeting, a thank-you and a remembrance note call for different words even when the same flower is used. If you are sending carnations because you discovered the January observance, a simple explanation prevents the recipient from having to guess why the date matters.
For a personal gift, write about the recipient rather than quoting a flower dictionary. “Thank you for looking after us” gives pink carnations a clear purpose, while “Thinking of you on your birthday” makes a red bouquet unmistakably personal. For remembrance, use restrained language that reflects your actual relationship to the person or family.
A card with your text is free with our delivery. Delivery is anonymous by default, meaning the courier does not name the sender, so include your name in the card if you want the recipient to recognise you. If you prefer to remain anonymous, check that the wording itself does not reveal more than you intend.
How to send carnations to someone in Russia
Start with the recipient's city, the occasion and the intended delivery date, then look through the bouquets catalogue. Prepare the full delivery address, the recipient's telephone number and your card text before checkout. We deliver flowers across Russia; city delivery costs 500 RUB, while the operator confirms the price for remote districts and suburbs when confirming the order.
For a date-sensitive gift, you can pre-order 1–30 days ahead. Express delivery in large cities takes 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed; other options include an exact time with a tolerance of 30 minutes either way, or windows of 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 and 18–21. When ordering from abroad, use the recipient city's local date and time to avoid a time-zone misunderstanding.
Delivery in Saint Petersburg is available around the clock. Online checkout uses CloudPayments; check the payment options displayed there, since acceptance of every foreign card cannot be assumed. Read our delivery and payment information when planning the order, or call 8 (812) 507-67-05 with questions about the arrangements.
Plan the handover and care for the carnations
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, so plan a surprise with that contact in mind. Choose a period when the recipient is likely to be available at the address. If they are absent, we agree a second delivery the same day or hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge with the sender's consent.
Once the carnations arrive, use a clean vase and remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Trim the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool before placing them in fresh water. Add cut-flower food according to its instructions if you have it, and allow enough room in the vase for the stems without crowding them.
Keep the vase away from radiators, direct sun and ripening fruit. Check the water daily, replace it regularly and wash the vase if the water becomes cloudy. If you receive flowers before the occasion, keep them in water until you leave and minimise time without water during the journey; avoid assuming a bouquet will stay fresh in its wrapping alone.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Carnation Day?
In the United States, National Carnation Day is observed on 29 January and is associated with William McKinley. It is separate from Russia's Victory Day on 9 May, when red carnations are widely used for remembrance.
Are carnations only for funerals in Russia?
No, carnations can also be given for birthdays, affection and thanks. For a living recipient, an odd stem count and a clear personal card help make the occasion understood.
Which carnation colour should I choose for a personal gift?
Start with the recipient's favourite colour and the occasion. Pink often suggests affection or gratitude, while red can express admiration but also has strong remembrance associations in Russia.
Can I send carnations anonymously?
Yes, delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender. A card with your text is free, so leave your name out of the message if you want to remain anonymous.
Can I pay for a Russian flower delivery from abroad?
Online checkout uses CloudPayments. Check the options displayed at checkout; acceptance of every foreign card is not guaranteed.
Ready to send a bouquet?
Pick a city, choose the flowers, and we will hand them over with a photo confirmation.
Choose a city →