Based on the Kawski-Gryczynski method the values of angle between absorption and fluorescence transition moments of carbocyanines are given. This method is applied to the linear molecules: 3,3'-diethylthiacyanine iodide (DTTHCI), diethytoxacarbocyanine iodide (DOCI), 3,3'-diethyl-9-methylthiacarbocyanine iodide (MDTCI), diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide (DTCI) and 3,3'-diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide (DODCI). Similarly located transition moments polarized approximately along the long axis of DTTHCI, DOCI, MDTCI, DTCI and 130130 are responsible for absorption and fluorescence (beta <= 10 degrees), when exciting in the long wavelength absorption band, The results are compared with relevant data obtained from linear dichroism measurements, energy migration data in partly ordered films and general Perrin formula. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.