Red Carnations: What They Mean and When to Give Them in Russia
Red carnations symbolise deep love, admiration and respect, and in many countries they are also a flower of remembrance. In Russia they carry an especially strong meaning: red carnations are the traditional flower of Victory Day on 9 May and are laid at memorials and given to veterans. They are also among the longest-lasting cut flowers, often staying fresh for two to three weeks in a vase.
At Pyat Tsvetov we have been selling flowers in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and red carnations bring up the same questions in our shops every spring: whether they suit a birthday, how many stems to give, and why an older relative reacted to them so seriously. This article answers those questions in the order customers usually ask them, with practical care advice at the end.
What red carnations mean around the world
In the general language of flowers, a red carnation stands for passionate love and admiration, while light red is closer to affection and friendship. In the United States the red carnation is linked to Mother's Day: a red flower honours a living mother and a white one a mother who has passed away. In Portugal red carnations are the symbol of the 1974 revolution, and the scarlet carnation is the state flower of Ohio.
The common thread is strength of feeling. Red carnations are rarely a casual flower: they express loyalty, gratitude and respect more than flirtation. Customers who come to us from abroad are often surprised that in Russia the respectful, commemorative side of that meaning is much more prominent than the romantic one.
Shade matters too. Deep burgundy and dark red carnations look solemn and are the usual choice for memorials, while bright scarlet and cherry-red varieties feel warmer and more celebratory. Bicoloured carnations, red with white edges, are cheerful and rarely carry any mournful association. When customers tell us the occasion, we steer them towards the shade that fits it, and the same works when you order from abroad: call us before ordering and tell us the occasion, so the bouquet is put together accordingly.
Red carnations in Russia: Victory Day and remembrance
For most people in Russia, red carnations mean 9 May. Throughout the Soviet period they were the flower of state holidays, parades and memorials, and today they remain the standard flower for Victory Day: people lay them at eternal flames and war memorials and hand them to veterans. Every year in early May demand for red carnations in our Saint Petersburg shops rises sharply, so it makes sense to order ahead. Our article on Victory Day flowers and red carnations covers this tradition in detail.
Red carnations are also used at funerals and on anniversaries of a death, always in an even number of stems. Because of this, some people of the older generation see a bouquet of red carnations as formal or mournful, especially if the number is even. Other strong occasions for carnations are 23 February (Defender of the Fatherland Day) and gifts to men in general, since carnations are considered one of the few flowers that suit a man without any awkwardness.
None of this makes red carnations a gloomy choice. A bouquet of red carnations with an odd number of stems, perhaps mixed with other flowers, is a perfectly normal gift for a teacher, a colleague, a grandfather or a man celebrating a birthday.
Bouquets we can deliver
How many stems and what to combine them with
The first rule our florists explain is the count. For birthdays, anniversaries and any celebration, give an odd number of stems: 5, 7, 9, 11 or 15. An even number is reserved for funerals and memorials, and in Russia this rule is still taken seriously, particularly by older recipients. For a Victory Day gift to a veteran, the usual choice is an odd number such as 3, 5 or 7 stems, while flowers laid at a memorial are given in an even number.
Red carnations look strongest in a mono bouquet of 11 to 25 stems tied in a dense dome; the frilled petals create a rich, velvety surface. For a softer, less formal look, combine them with white carnations, spray carnations, eucalyptus or pistachio leaves, or with red roses for a romantic bouquet. Adding white or cream flowers is the simplest way to make red carnations read as a festive gift rather than a ceremonial one.
There are two main types. Standard carnations have one large flower per stem and suit classic bouquets and memorial flowers. Spray carnations carry several smaller flowers and buds on one stem and are useful for filling volume and giving the bouquet a lighter, garden feel.
Caring for red carnations so they last three weeks
Carnations are among the most durable cut flowers, which is one reason they are often sent to relatives far away. With basic care they stay fresh for two to three weeks. When the bouquet arrives, cut the stems by 2-3 cm at an angle, just above or between the joints (the swollen nodes on the stem), because water passes through the internodes more easily. Remove leaves that would sit in the water.
Use a clean vase with cool water and change it every two or three days, trimming the stems slightly each time. Keep carnations away from fruit, cigarette smoke and drafts from a gas stove: carnations are very sensitive to ethylene gas, which makes buds fail to open and petals curl inward. Warm radiators and direct sun also shorten their life.
Closed buds on spray carnations will open over the following days in a warm room. Once individual flowers fade, pull them off so the rest of the stem keeps drawing water to the remaining blooms. For more on varieties and vase life, see our guide to carnations in Russia.
Ordering red carnations to Russia from abroad
You can choose a bouquet in our catalogue and pay online on the site by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay; foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa. We deliver across Russia: city delivery costs 500 RUB, and for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. Details are on the delivery and payment page.
In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed. You can also choose an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes), a time window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21, or pre-order 1-30 days ahead, which we recommend for 9 May and 23 February. In Saint Petersburg, where our three shops are located, delivery runs around the clock.
Delivery is anonymous by default, and the courier does not name the sender, so add your name to the free card if you want the recipient to know. The courier calls about 15 minutes before arrival; if the recipient is out, we agree a second delivery the same day or hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge with your consent. For any questions call 8 (812) 507-67-05.
Frequently asked questions
What do red carnations symbolise?
Red carnations stand for deep love, admiration and respect. In Russia they are also strongly associated with Victory Day and remembrance.
Can I give red carnations for a birthday in Russia?
Yes, as long as the number of stems is odd. Mixing them with white or cream flowers makes the bouquet look more festive and less ceremonial.
Why are red carnations given on 9 May?
Since the Soviet period red carnations have been the flower of Victory Day, laid at memorials and given to veterans. The tradition remains very much alive in Russia.
How long do red carnations last in a vase?
Usually two to three weeks with clean water, regular stem trimming and a spot away from fruit and radiators.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Yes. Foreign bank cards are accepted through Robokassa, and you can also pay by Russian bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay.
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