Discover Your Birth Month Flowers: Symbolism & Meanings
I just absolutely love that you have some materials and things that somehow connects to your birth month. Even if its regarded as superstitious and midwife tales, I just like the romance and mystic about it.
The idea being that specific things connects to a month and can empower you if you are born in that particular month.
In general I’m very scientific and I must admit that I don’t belief a specific plant or gem will empower me but I like the notion that I “have” a flower – like in a kind of ownership.
Especially I like the flowers, animals and gemstones that connects to my birth month.
So, do you know which flowers connect to your month? Or, would you like to know?
January : Snowdrops and Carnations
February: Violets and Primrose
March: Daffodil and Jonquil
April: Daisies and Sweet Peas
May: Lily of the valley and Hawthorne
June: Honeysuckle and Roses
July: Larkspur and Water Lilies
August: Poppies and Gladiolus
September: Asters and Morning Glory
October: Marigold and Cosmos
November: Chrysantemum
December: Holly and Narcissus
Learn more about your birth month flowers here
January – Snowdrops and Carnations
With more than 50 species the fringe petaled Carnation is a widely popular flower. It origins in the Mediterranean, is known as the flower of gods and have through history been spread through the western countries. It symbolizes remembrance and love and is often used for weddings, valentines day and mothers day.
Snowdrops are some of the first bloomers in late winter and early spring. Sometimes they emerges through the last patches of snow on the ground, hence their name. Historically originated in Southern Europe and regions of Asia and were spread by monks and midwife due to their medicinal uses. Snowdrops symbolizes compassion and innocence.
February – Violets and Primroses
The violets exist in more than 400 species and highly popular garden flower in Europe. Due to its popularity and reach it is mentioned in several eras and religions. In Christianity it is told the violets blossomed when arch angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that Jesus was going to be her baby. It symbolizes modesty, faithfulness, everlasting love and remembrance.
The primrose is, contrary its name, not part of the rose family but instead a primula. The flower origins in Europe and in ancient times Celts believed that patches of primroses were gateways to the fairy realm. It was even believed that if you ate a primrose – a fairy would show itself to you. It symbolizes womanhood, each petal represents a stage in a woman’s life.
March – Daffodil and Jonquil
Daffodils and Jonquils look much as the same species but are different in some areas. The daffodil are yellow and produce a single flower for each stem while jonquils will produce multiple flowers per stem . They are both native to Northern Europe and are typically associated with easter.
Daffodils are named after Narcissus from greek mythology, who fell in love with his own reflection, fell in the water pool and drowned. Daffodils bloomed where he died.
They represent rebirth and new beginnings hence the association with easter.
April – Daisies and Sweet Peas
The Daisys name comes from old english meaning the “days eye” referring to its petals opening in the morning and closing in the night.
Daisies symbolizes innocence, purity and true love. According to old Celtic myths, when a child or an infant died the gods would cover their graves with daisies to cheer up the parents.
Sweet Peas are native to Italy and the Mediterranean area and will bloom from early spring to late summer. As it looks like it cousin, the crop pea, the sweet pea are toxic for human and animal consumption. It comes in a large range of colors and are in France gifted to brides to provide good luck and in her marriage.
In some cultures the sweet pea is believed to have magical properties.
It symbolizes good bye or thank you but can also mean blissful pleasure, good wishes, kindness or friendship.
May – Hawthorne and Lily of the valley
Lily of the Valley is also known by Our Lady’s tears, May Lily and May bells. In spite of its name it is not actually a lily but belongs in the asparagus family.
The legends goes that the Lily of the valley fell in love with the song of the nightingale and only bloomed when the bird returned to the forest in May. Lily of the valley symbolizes motherhood, sweetness, humility and purity.
The Hawthorne belongs in the rose family along with many other fruit crops such as apples and cherries. Originated in Europe and Asia it can nowadays also be found in North America. The berries are believed to be a super fruit due to its large amount of vitamins and antioxidants.
The Hawthorne symbolizes hope and strength and was in ancient times believed to heal broken hearts and slay vampires.
June – Rose and Honeysuckle
The rose is one of the most well known flowers of the world. Originates several different places in the world and are through time cultivated for its beautiful flowers. The rose symbolizes love and affection but different colors have different meanings in different occasions. Due to its popularity and it being wide spread across the planet it occurs in different religions, folklore and tales.
The Honeysuckle is a beautiful flower and is a magnet to hummingbirds. It appears in large parts of the world primarily in the northern hemisphere. It name derives from old English meaning “honey suck” because you could suck its sweet nektar straight from the flowers. It represents happiness and affection for a new love and also nostalgia for old flames and lovers.
July – Larkspur and Water Lily
Larkspur is a tall beautiful flower from the buttercup family. It has blueish purple flowers and grows in the wild in the United States and Europe. All though it symbolizes dedication and positivity, one should beware as it is a poisonous plant. Named after the meadowlark claw they are also called Larks heel, Knights spur and Larks claw.
The water lily has through time been a very popular motive for painters. There are two types of water lilies called Hardy and tropical. Hardy lilies are day blooming while tropical lilies are night blooming. According to the ancient Egypts the Egyptian gods were created from a blue water lily. The white water lilies symbolizes purity, innocence and chastity, the blue calm and wisdom, the pink are passion and love while the yellow symbolizes energi and new beginnings.
August – Poppies and Gladiolus
Poppies are a beautiful flower which varies in sizes and colors depending on its many species. The name poppy is derived from the latin Pappa meaning milk due to its milk-white sap. One of the most known species are the opium poppies which sap has been harvested in centuries for its pharmaceutical properties. Poppies symbolizes sleep, peace, death as well as resurrection because of this.
Gladiolus is a tall iris flower native to Asia, Africa and southern parts of Europe. As Gladiolus means Sword it is also known as the sword-lily. Roman gladiators would wear the flower around their necks when entering a battle arena.
It symbolizes strength, healing, victory and honor. In victorian times it was believed that the beauty of the Gladiolus could pierce someones heart with love.
September – Morning Glory and Asters
Morning Glory is a fast growing vine that symbolizes love both undying and unrequited.
The flowers are bright in color and opens in the morning and closes in the afternoon. It is native to Mexico and Central America. It has large heart shaped leaves and are toxic so even though it resembles the sweet potato plant it should not be used for consumption.
Asters are in the daisy family and are estimated to have around 350 species growing all around in the world. In greek Asters means Star and in ancient times the burning of Aster leaves was believed to ward of snakes and evil spirits. The asters are associated with beauty, wisdom and patience but also friendship, faith, purity and devotion.
October – Marigold and Cosmos
Marigolds are known for their strong oder and have been associated with death and grief. They are used as decorations to The Day of the Dead and on graves and home altars. Native to the Southwestern United States and South America the Marigold are popular due to their beautiful colors and low maintenance. The name is derived from Mary’s gold meaning Virgin Mary. The flowers also symbolizes friendship and resurrection.
The Cosmos are native to Mexico and blooms in a large range of colors. It is a member of the daisy family and are nowadays naturalized through the United States. Its name is derived from greek meaning harmony in the universe. It symbolizes harmony, order and balance. Once it was thought that Cosmos could attract fairies to the garden. Besides being a pest repellent the flower also have anti-inflammatory properties and have been used for medicinal purposes.
November – Chrysantemum
November only have one birth flower; The Chrysanthemum. Its name meaning Gold Flower and all though it is native to asia it has been widely known and spread through out the world.
They are excellent for drying and using in decorations and for consumption why they have been highly popular to use in teas and for consumption in centuries.
In China it is believed that the flower prevents grey hair. Chrysanthemum symbolizes different things in parts of the world. In Europe they represent death and sorrow while in Asia they are a sign of youth and health.
December – Holly and Narcissus
Holly are a rather hostile plant with green prickly leaves and red berries. It is associated with Christmas and Jesus’ crown and brings color to the winter with its evergreen leaves and red berries. From ancient times branches of holly have been brought inside for decoration and in early times to ward of evil spirits.
Narcissus are a type of flowers like daffodil but are smaller and white. They are not winter hardy but can be forced to bloom when their bulbs are planted indoor. As it can bloom midt winter they are sometimes associated with the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The Narcissus symbolizes pure and undying love and in Victorian times they would be presented to “the only one”.
