Guide to Sending Flowers in Hong Kong
Cultural Etiquette, Occasions, and Social Pitfalls to Avoid
In Hong Kong, flowers are more than just beautiful gifts — they are loaded with symbolism drawn from Chinese tradition, Cantonese language puns, Western influence, and modern gift culture. Sending flowers is common across personal, romantic, and professional contexts, but subtle mistakes in type, number, or color can create unintended offense or awkwardness.
This guide offers a detailed overview of how to give flowers appropriately in Hong Kong, covering the meanings of different flowers, common practices for various occasions, and cultural pitfalls to avoid.
1. General Principles of Flower-Giving in Hong Kong
Numbers Matter
Odd vs. even numbers: Odd numbers are generally associated with celebration, while even numbers may be read as “too balanced” or linked to funerals. Bouquets of 8 or 9 stems are especially popular:
Eight (八) sounds like “prosperity” (發, faat in Cantonese).
Nine (九) sounds like “long-lasting” or “eternity.”
Four (四) is a number to avoid at all costs, since it sounds like “death” in both Cantonese and Mandarin.
One hundred and eight (108) roses, while extravagant, carries a very specific proposal message, derived from popular culture and Cantonese love traditions.
The Power of Color
Red: Joy, luck, celebration. Universally positive except in funerals.
Pink: Romance, sweetness, admiration. A safe choice for celebrations and affection.
Yellow: Friendship and brightness in the West; but in Cantonese usage, yellow roses in romance can symbolize betrayal or breakups.
White: Purity, respect, and mourning. Common for condolences, but risky in happy settings.
Purple: Luxury, nobility, and admiration, but in some older Cantonese traditions purple is unlucky.
Blue: Rare in nature and often seen as artificial or forced; usually gifted only if the recipient has a personal taste for them.
Presentation
In Hong Kong, flower presentation is almost as important as the flowers themselves. Bouquets should look polished, wrapped tastefully, and delivered promptly. For business and formal settings, standing arrangements with clear, professional presentation are the norm. Messy or casual arrangements can be perceived as thoughtless.
2. Occasions and What to Send
A. Celebrations: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Achievements
Recommended Flowers: Roses (red or pink), lilies, orchids, tulips, gerberas, and sunflowers. These convey joy, respect, and good fortune.
Color Choices: Bright and festive tones such as red, pink, orange, and gold work well. Yellow is fine in non-romantic settings, as it conveys cheer.
Pitfalls to Avoid:
Do not send predominantly white flowers, as these may suggest mourning.
Chrysanthemums are rarely used for celebrations in Chinese culture, as they are associated with funerals.
Never send four stems, or combinations that could be interpreted as unlucky.
B. Romance and Courtship
Recommended Flowers:
Red roses: Passion and enduring love.
Pink roses: Affection, sweetness, admiration.
Tulips: Grace, elegance, and deep love.
Orchids: Luxury and refinement, often gifted to someone admired deeply.
Flower Numbers and Symbolism:
1 rose = Love at first sight
9 roses = Eternal love
11 roses = “You are my one and only”
99 roses = “Forever”
108 roses = “Will you marry me?”
Pitfalls to Avoid:
Yellow roses to a romantic partner, as they suggest infidelity or the end of a relationship.
Mixed bouquets that include white chrysanthemums, which could be read as mourning.
Overly small or casual bouquets for significant events (Valentine’s Day, anniversaries) — they may be interpreted as insincerity.
C. Business and Corporate Gifting
Recommended Flowers: Orchids, lilies, anthuriums, sunflowers, and well-arranged mixed displays. For grand openings, large standing floral stands are traditional.
Symbolism: Orchids suggest refinement and prosperity, lilies suggest harmony and growth, while bright flowers symbolize success and positivity.
Pitfalls to Avoid:
Avoid bouquets that could be seen as too romantic (roses, especially red ones).
Avoid white or all-pale arrangements, as they may suggest mourning or misfortune.
For new ventures, never send flowers in sets of four.
D. Funerals and Condolences
Recommended Flowers: White chrysanthemums, white lilies, gladiolus, and orchids. These flowers symbolize respect, mourning, and remembrance.
Presentation: In Hong Kong, condolence flowers are often sent as standing wreaths or sprays, with a ribbon or card bearing the sender’s name and condolences.
Colors: White and pale colors dominate. Some arrangements use green for peace and serenity.
Pitfalls to Avoid:
Bright or celebratory flowers (such as red roses or sunflowers) are considered disrespectful.
Do not send flowers mixed with balloons or festive decorations.
Avoid numbers associated with bad luck (especially four).
E. Chinese New Year
Recommended Flowers and Plants:
Orchids: Wealth, fertility, and luxury.
Peonies: Prosperity and honor.
Peach blossoms: Romance and vitality.
Kumquat trees: Wealth and good fortune, as the fruit symbolizes gold.
Colors: Red and gold dominate, symbolizing joy and prosperity.
Pitfalls to Avoid:
White or black flowers — these are unlucky during the festive period.
Chrysanthemums, which are associated with funerals.
Small bouquets; CNY gifts are expected to be lush, abundant, and prosperous in appearance.
3. Timing and Delivery Etiquette
Celebrations and Birthdays: Flowers should arrive early in the day or at the beginning of an event, ensuring they are visible and appreciated throughout.
Business Grand Openings: Floral stands are ideally delivered before the ribbon-cutting or opening ceremony begins.
Funerals: Send condolence flowers in advance or on the first day of the service; late delivery can appear disrespectful.
Romantic Occasions: For Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or birthdays, flowers should arrive at the start of the day or at dinner, never as an afterthought.
4. Safe Choices When Unsure
If you are uncertain about what to send, these flowers are broadly accepted and admired in Hong Kong across occasions:
Orchids: Versatile, elegant, and positive in almost all contexts.
Lilies (except all-white): Joyful in mixed colors, dignified in white for condolences.
Mixed Bright Bouquets: Carefully arranged with auspicious colors like red, pink, and gold.
Seasonal Festive Flowers: Always appropriate if matched to the calendar (e.g., peach blossoms for Lunar New Year).
Flower-giving in Hong Kong is a practice rich with symbolism and cultural nuance. By carefully considering type, color, number, and occasion, you can ensure your gesture is received with warmth and gratitude. Missteps — such as sending white chrysanthemums to a birthday party or yellow roses to a romantic partner — can undermine your good intentions. When in doubt, lean toward orchids, festive bright arrangements, or seek guidance from a reputable Hong Kong florist, who will be well-versed in local customs.
