99 or 101 Roses? What the Number of Roses Means

Why does the number of roses matter?

At Lanna Bloom we prepare flowers for customers all over the world who are sending love to someone in Thailand. Over time we noticed a pattern.

Some customers ask specifically for 99, 199 or even 299 roses. Others go straight to 51, 101 or 201.

So which is right for you? Choose 99 roses to say “forever” - nine is lucky in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. Choose 101 to say “You are the one” and follow the Eastern European odd-number custom.

Here is the short version, with a link to each full explanation:

The short answer

• 99 roses - nine sounds like “long-lasting” in Mandarin and Cantonese, and like “moving forward” in Thai
• 101 roses - an odd number, which many Russian and Eastern European families expect for happy occasions
• Around the world - lucky and unlucky numbers in 6 countries and regions
• Which one to choose - a quick guide based on where your recipient grew up
• Any bouquet, your number - every rose bouquet in our catalog can be made with 99 or 101 roses
• Even bigger: 199, 299, 520 or 1314 - what these grand numbers mean
• Big, but not that big - 51 roses keeps the odd-number tradition
• Our florists’ tips - handover, timing, and what to write on the card

Why are 99 roses so popular?

Nine means “long-lasting” in Chinese-speaking communities

In Mandarin, nine (九, jiǔ) sounds almost the same as 久 (jiǔ), which means “long-lasting” or “for a long time.” The same wordplay works in Cantonese, where both words are pronounced gau2 - so it is just as meaningful in Hong Kong and Macau.

Because of that sound, 99 roses is commonly understood as a wish for love that lasts. It is one of the classic grand romantic gestures across Chinese-speaking communities - in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and beyond.

So the bouquet is not only big. The number itself carries the message.

Nine means “moving forward” in Thai

Nine is also a lucky number in Thailand. The Thai word for nine, เก้า (kao), sounds very close to ก้าว (kao), which means “to step forward” or “to progress.”

That is one reason Thai people traditionally treat nine as auspicious - you will see it in phone numbers, house numbers, wedding dates and even how many temples people visit in one day.

When you send 99 roses in Thailand, the count can carry several gentle meanings at once:

Love, long life together, and moving forward as a couple.

Prefer something softer than classic red? Pink roses in the same “nine” count feel tender and celebratory - lovely for a birthday or anniversary.

Why do some people choose 101 roses instead?

Odd numbers for happy occasions

Not every culture counts the same way.

In Russia and much of Eastern Europe, there is a long-standing custom of giving an odd number of flowers for happy occasions. Even-numbered bouquets are traditionally kept for funerals and remembrance.

That is why numbers like these feel completely natural for a romantic gift:

• 51 roses
• 101 roses
• 201 roses

If your partner is Russian, Ukrainian or from nearby countries, an even-numbered bouquet can feel slightly “wrong” to them - even if they cannot explain why. An odd count avoids that moment.

“One hundred roses, plus one for you”

For a very large romantic bouquet, 101 roses has picked up its own modern meaning: one hundred roses, plus one special rose for the one special person.

There is no single historical origin for 101 roses. But today it has become a clear, confident way of saying:

See the 101 roses bouquet

What do flower numbers mean around the world?

We deliver for customers from many countries, and the “right” number changes more than most people expect. Here is a quick map of the customs we hear about most.

What this means for a very big bouquet:

• For a Russian, Ukrainian or Eastern European recipient, the odd-number rule is strictest for small bouquets - but most people still keep it for big ones. That is why 101 roses beats a round 100.
• For a Japanese recipient, 101 is the safer choice, because 99 is built from nines.
• For someone from China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, 99 is a classic - just avoid any count with a 4 in it.

99 or 101 roses: which should you choose?

There is no wrong answer. This quick guide can help:

And sometimes there is no symbolism at all. Sometimes you simply want the door to open and hear:

“Wow.”

Both 99 and 101 roses do that job extremely well.

Can any bouquet be made with 99 or 101 roses?

A note from our florists in Chiang Mai: The 99 and 101 rose bouquets on our website are just a starting point. If you love the colour, the wrapping or the ribbon of any rose bouquet you see, we will make it in the number that means the most to you.

A few examples of what customers ask us for:

• A soft pink bouquet from our catalog, scaled up to 99 roses for a partner from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore or Thailand
• A classic red design, made with 101 roses for a Russian-speaking girlfriend
• White or mixed colours in either count, when the recipient’s favourite colour matters more than tradition

Big bouquets use a lot of stems, so the earlier you message us, the easier it is to match the exact colour you picked. Contact us and we will help you plan it.

Can you make 199, 299, 520 or even 1314 roses?

These are the larger counts customers ask us for most:

The 520 story is a lovely one. It began as Mandarin internet shorthand for “I love you” and is now widely recognised across Chinese-speaking communities. In mainland China, 20 May (5/20) is even celebrated as an unofficial Valentine’s Day. If your partner comes from a Chinese-speaking background, 520 roses on 20 May says a lot without a single word. Put the two numbers together - 5201314 - and it reads as “I love you for a lifetime.”

Bouquets this size take time: extra stems, extra hands, and often a sturdy stand or box to carry them. Message us at least a few days ahead, and we will confirm the price and delivery details before you pay.

Want something big, but not quite that big?

Not every moment needs a hundred stems. 51 roses is still a generous, odd-numbered bouquet - so it fits the Eastern European tradition - and it is easier to carry, easier to fit in a hotel room, and friendlier on the budget.

For more styles, see our guide to 51 roses bouquets in Chiang Mai or browse the full rose bouquets collection.

A Chiang Mai florist's honest advice

A bouquet of around a hundred roses is heavy: 101 fresh roses typically weigh 4 to 8 kilograms (8.8 to 17.6 pounds). It is a gift you receive with both arms, not one hand. A few practical things we have learned from delivering them:

• Think about the handover. If it is a surprise at a hotel, make sure the recipient will be there, or that reception knows it is coming. A giant bouquet waiting at a front desk loses some of its magic.
• Order early for big dates. Valentine’s Day and other peak dates are busy for every florist. Large rose bouquets need more stems and more time to build, so booking ahead is the safest way to get the exact count and colour you want.
• Explain the number on the card. Your recipient may not know why you chose 99 or 101. One sentence on the card turns a big bouquet into a personal one.
• Don’t overthink it. If the recipient does not follow any tradition, pick the colour they love. The size will do the talking.

Need wording ideas? Our gift card ideas with flowers has short messages you can copy.

More than just a big bouquet

One thing we have learned from preparing flowers for international customers is that a bouquet is not only about beautiful flowers.

The colour can have meaning. The number can have meaning.

And sometimes a small cultural detail is what makes a gift feel truly personal.

That’s why we don’t stop at 99 or 101. Whether you have 51, 99, 101, 199, 201, 299, 520 or even 1314 roses in mind, our florists in Chiang Mai will happily make it for you - for a birthday, an anniversary, a proposal, or simply because an ordinary bouquet isn’t enough.

Any number works - just let us know the one that means the most to you.

FAQ

What does 99 roses mean?

99 roses is commonly understood as a wish for love that lasts. In Mandarin and Cantonese, nine sounds like the word for “long-lasting,” and in Thai, nine sounds like the word for “moving forward.” Meanings can differ between families, so a short note on the card helps.

What does 101 roses mean?

Today 101 roses is usually read as “one hundred roses, plus one for the one special person” - a way of saying “you are the one.” It is also an odd number, which suits the Russian and Eastern European custom of giving odd-numbered bouquets for happy occasions.

Is it bad luck to give an even number of roses?

It depends on the culture. In Russia and much of Eastern Europe, even-numbered bouquets are traditionally linked with funerals, so many people avoid them for romantic gifts. In Chinese-speaking communities (from Hong Kong and Taiwan to Singapore and Malaysia) and in Thailand, 99 is seen as a lucky number, so it is a popular romantic choice.

Can I get 99 or 101 roses in a different colour?

Yes. Any rose bouquet in our catalog can be made with 99 or 101 roses, in the colour and wrapping you see. Send us the link or a screenshot and the count you want, and we will confirm the price and delivery date before you pay.

Can I send 99 or 101 roses to Chiang Mai from abroad?

Yes. You can order online and pay by international card, then choose the delivery date and address in Chiang Mai. For big dates, order a few days ahead. Our guide to sending flowers to Thailand from abroad covers the details.

What should I write on the card?

Keep it short and explain the number. For 99 roses: “Nine means forever - so here are 99.” For 101 roses: “One hundred roses, and one more for the one I love.” A single sincere sentence is usually enough.

Sources

• Wiktionary: 九 (jiǔ) - Chinese homophone with 久, “long time”
• Wiktionary: เก้า (kao) - Thai word for nine
• Wikipedia: Numbers in Chinese culture
• Wikipedia: Chinese Internet slang - 520 as “I love you”
• Wikipedia: Tetraphobia - why 4 is avoided in Chinese and Japanese