The Victory Flower: Why the Red Carnation Stands for Victory in Russia

In Russia and most of the former Soviet Union, the victory flower is the red carnation. It is the flower people carry on May 9, Victory Day, to lay at war memorials, eternal flames and the graves of soldiers, and to hand to veterans. In the wider world, the oldest symbol of victory is the laurel wreath, and the gladiolus is sometimes linked to strength and triumph.

Below, a florist's view of why the carnation took this role, how to handle it correctly at a memorial and when giving it to a living person, which other flowers fit the day, how to keep carnations fresh and how to send a Victory Day bouquet to someone in Russia when you live abroad.

Why the red carnation became the flower of victory

The carnation's association with victory and revolution in Russia goes back to the early twentieth century, when red carnations were worn and carried at demonstrations. After 1945 the flower moved naturally into Victory Day: it is red like the banner, it is sturdy enough to carry through a long parade, and it stays upright when laid on cold stone.

There is also a practical side every florist recognises. Carnations hold up for days without water, survive a crowd and wind, and look neat even when laid singly. A rose bends its head on stone within hours; a carnation keeps its shape. That reliability is part of why generations of schoolchildren, families and officials have chosen it.

Today you will see the red carnation on May 9 in nearly every Russian city, often paired with the black-and-orange St George ribbon. For many families it is not a decoration but a ritual: grandparents took carnations to the memorial, and their grandchildren still do.

Etiquette: even numbers at a memorial, odd for the living

This is the rule that matters most. At a memorial, an eternal flame or a grave, Russians lay an even number of flowers: two, four, six. Even numbers are reserved for remembrance of the dead. When you give flowers to a living veteran, a grandmother or anyone you are congratulating, the number must be odd: one, three, five or more.

Laying flowers is done quietly. You approach, place the stems at the foot of the monument with the heads pointing towards it, step back and pause for a moment. There is no need to arrange them; the stems are usually left as they fall, unwrapped or with only a simple sleeve removed.

When you hand flowers to a veteran, say a few words of thanks and present them heads-up, not wrapped in heavy cellophane. Many older people prefer a small, light bunch they can hold easily. Our article on Victory Day flowers for a veteran in Russia goes deeper into what to choose and what to write.

Bouquets we can deliver

Bouquet of 1 yellow sunflowers

$13

Bouquet of 3 white French roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Bouquet of 3 red French roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Bouquet of 3 pink roses with eucalyptus, 50 cm

$18

Other flowers linked to victory

Outside Russia, the classic emblem of victory is laurel. In ancient Greece and Rome, wreaths of bay laurel crowned winners of games and returning generals, and the idea survives in the word "laureate". Laurel is a leaf rather than a flower, but florists still use bay branches in wreaths and ceremonial arrangements for exactly this reason.

The gladiolus takes its name from the Latin "gladius", a sword, because of its blade-shaped leaves. In the traditional language of flowers it stands for strength, honour and integrity, and its tall red spikes are sometimes chosen for commemorative arrangements. The palm branch, too, has symbolised triumph since antiquity.

Do not confuse these with the red poppy. In Britain, Canada and Australia the poppy is the flower of remembrance worn in November, not a symbol of victory. In Russia the poppy has no such role, and on May 9 it would not be recognised. Red tulips, on the other hand, are now common on Victory Day because they are at their best in early May, and they sit well beside carnations.

Choosing a Victory Day bouquet for someone in Russia

For a veteran, a home-front worker or an elderly relative who remembers the war years, keep the bouquet modest and red: an odd number of red carnations, perhaps with a few sprigs of greenery. A small, tidy bunch is more respectful than an oversized arrangement and easier for an older person to manage.

For a family member who simply marks the day, you can widen the palette: red and white carnations, red tulips, or a mixed bouquet in red with touches of white. Avoid black wrapping and funereal tones for a living person; the mood of May 9 is solemn but also celebratory. You will find more colour advice in our guide to Victory Day flowers in Russia.

A short card makes all the difference. A simple line of thanks for their courage and for the peace their generation won is enough. The card with your text is free, and the courier does not name the sender unless you sign it.

Keeping carnations fresh for weeks

Carnations are among the longest-lasting cut flowers, often two weeks or more in a vase. To get there, cut each stem at an angle just above a node, the small swelling on the stem, because water enters more easily between nodes. Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline.

Use a clean vase and cool water, and change it every two days. Keep the bouquet away from radiators, direct sun and ripening fruit: carnations are very sensitive to ethylene, the gas apples and bananas release, and it makes the petals curl and fade quickly. A cool hallway is a better spot than a sunny kitchen windowsill.

When one flower in the bunch starts to fade, pull it out so it does not speed up the others. Re-trim the stems every few days, and a bunch of red carnations bought for May 9 will still be on the table well into the second half of the month.

How to send Victory Day flowers to Russia from abroad

May 9 is one of the busiest flower days in Russia, so the easiest option is to pre-order: we accept orders 1-30 days ahead. You can choose an exact delivery time (within 30 minutes) or a window such as 09-12 if you want the flowers to arrive before the family leaves for the memorial. In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after confirmation, but on a holiday it is wiser not to leave it to the last minute.

City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. The courier calls about 15 minutes before arrival, and if the recipient is out at the parade, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge. Payment is online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay. To agree the number of stems, the card text and a photo of the bouquet before delivery, message a manager on WhatsApp. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.