Most men give roses on Valentine's Day because they seem to relay that special message of love and admiration.

Of course, men give other gifts too -- like organising a romantic dinner for two, jewellery -- maybe a diamond ring -- or something simple and sweet like a Valentine's Day card.

Now, women should remember that they too can give gifts, and if they have a man in their life who doesn't have a problem with receiving a flower or two, by all means send him a few roses.

When choosing roses it's always nice to know what the meaning of the colours are. The most popular colour for Valentine's is of course red, which conveys love and also respect and courage. According to Roses Inc. there is a different meaning for almost every rose colour. Here is Rose Inc.'s list of the colours and their special meanings: -- White roses: `You're heavenly' reverence and humility, secrecy and silence or innocence and purity; -- Red roses: I love you, respect and courage. Red and white together or white roses with red edges means unity; -- Pink roses: grace and gentility; -- Dark pink: gratitude; -- Pale pink: admiration or sympathy; -- Yellow roses: joy, gladness and freedom. Red and yellow roses together means happiness; -- Coral and orange roses: enthusiasm and desire; -- Pale colours in general mean sociability and friendship.

Mary Paige Johnston, owner of The Flower Shop on Reid Street, said red roses are the first to go when one orders for Valentine's Day.

"Men buy red roses because that is what they are most familiar with and they know that is the flower for Valentine's Day. They know the rose expresses what they want to say,'' Mrs. Johnston said.

With all this talk about roses it's worth looking at the meaning of Valentine's Day, and where it came from.

According to the Reader's Digest reference guide `Why in the World', no festival in the calender has become more commercialised than February 14, St.

Valentine's Day. Many of the customs associated with the day have disappeared.

"For example, it was once almost obligatory for lovers to fashion their own Valentine cards and to compose their own greetings. And the senders kept their anonymity.

"Today, Valentine cards are sold by the million, and in many countries sweethearts proclaim their passion in newspaper advertisements.'' The book also states that historians argue about who St. Valentine really was.

Some say that he was a young priest, jailed by the Romans on February 14, AD 269, for helping Christians.

In prison he restored the sight of the jailer's daughter, who fell in love with him before he was killed.

Another legend tells of a young priest who defied an edict of the Emperor Claudius by conducting weddings for several soldiers. Marriage, the Emperor had decreed, ruined the spirit of fighting men and for them was banned. The priest was executed, and became the patron saint of lovers.

Other accounts hold that a handsome Roman, awaiting execution, fell in love with his jailer's blind daughter. Before he died, he sent her a love letter, signed "From your Valentine' -his name. Seven Christian saints and martyrs named Valentine have February 14 as their day.

As written in `Why in the World' most classical scholars trace St. Valentine's Day back to the early Roman festival of Lupercalia, a lovers' feast to welcome the return of spring.

"At this feast began the custom of holding a ballot, a lottery of love, into which went the names of unmarried young women, to be drawn in turn by an equal number of eligible young men. For the following year, the pairs took part in courtship.

"As with many other pagan rites, the Church tried either to abolish them or to give them Christian significance. One move, in the lover's ballot, was to substitute the names of saints for those of young women. "Those taking part in the ballot were expected, on drawing a saint's name, to follow his example during the ensuing year.'' February 14 is said by some to be the day on which birds choose their mates.

In Britain and America a superstition holds that the first bird seen by a girl on that day will decide what kind of man she will marry.

A goldfinch or yellow bird indicates wealth; a blackbird symbolises a clergyman; a sparrow means she will find lasting love in a country cottage.

ROSES MEAN MANY THINGS -- The flower that most represents Valentine's Day is the rose and their colours are associated with various meanings. Put two colours together and you can relay a special message. The roses in the photograph are provided courtesy of The Flower Shop on Reid Street.