Art, obsession, and identity
Most people know about their zodiac sign or birthstone. And, let's be honest, even if you're not that into astrology, you've probably read about your sign at least once in your life. However, not many people know that they also have birth flowers with their own special meanings. Well, knowing all about birth flowers can be very handy when sending someone the perfect birthday bouquet, or to simply beautify your home.
In this gallery, we look at every month's birth flowers and the characteristics that go along with them. Click on for a lesson on flower power!
Birth month flowers originated in ancient Rome when people first began celebrating birthdays. These celebrations included covering the altars of Roman gods with floral decorations.
The language of flowers, or floriography, is a cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. For thousands of years, it has been practiced in traditional cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
With each flower imbued with a secret meaning, floriography became super popular in the early 18th-century Great Britain, and later in the 19th century in the US.
Gifts of blooms and specific floral arrangements were used to send coded messages to the recipient. This allowed the sender to express feelings that couldn't be said aloud in Victorian times.
And to this day, flowers remain a welcome substitute for words. Now, let's move on to discussing the birth month flowers.
Often referred to as a "flower to the gods," carnations are a symbol of love, loyalty, and perseverance. With an assortment of colors, they often embody coded meanings of love, affection, and admiration.
Snowdrops, with their bright, white hue, symbolize innocence, purity, and hope. Growing even when it snows, this delicate plant is also considered a sign of optimism.
Violets come in a variety of purple hues and symbolize loyalty and faithfulness. Throughout history, they've also been associated with devotion and innocence.
Often one of the first blooming flowers of spring, primrose is largely associated with youth, renewal, and optimism. They're also noted for having magical qualities, such as protection and love.
As spring arrives, so do these beauts, reminding us of rebirth and hope after a long winter. Jonquils are heavily perfumed and will definitely leave an impact.
Another spring flower, daffodils symbolize new beginnings, joy, and a deep love that can't be duplicated. They also symbolize innocence and creativity.
With a bright, bold yellow center and white petals, daisies meaning loyal love and purity. Blooming from spring until late fall, longevity is also one of their strongest connotations.
Known for their shimmering fragrance, sweet peas have been used for greetings and as a way to show gratitude. This delicate flower can mean blissful pleasure, good wishes, kindness, and friendship.
Lily of the valley is a soft flower, which has the power to spread like wildfire. With a potent scent, this plant embodies sensitivity, grace, and happiness.
Hawthorn delivers not only small flower petals, but also small berries. Known as signs of hope, the plant also signifies strength.
Roses have for centuries been tied to deep emotions of love and affection. Found in several colors, the classic red is closely tied to passionate desire. Pink represents joy and admiration, while white stands for purity.
Growing in pairs, or clusters with four petals, this gorgeous plant has throughout history symbolized new love and affection. And it can sometimes be used to remember a first love or old flame.
Larkspur symbolizes a strong bond, grace, good intentions, and positivity. It can be found in a variety of tones, including pink, purple, white, and blue.
Known for their unique nature, water lilies represent resurrection and rebirth because they open and close each day. However, more specifically, white water lilies are tied to purity, pink to friendship, and red varieties to passion.
Growing tall with a huge variety of hues, gladiolus have since ancient times been a symbol of victory and healing. They also represent strength and love.
Honoring those we've lost in tragedies, poppies have a more somber meaning. But they also represent love and gratitude.
An emblem of undying love, morning glory has a strong meaning of affection. And as a flower that grows on a vast vine, so will your love.
With a daisy-like appearance, asters symbolize strong, powerful love. They've also for centuries represented revolution, whether for soldiers or artists looking to create a new world.
Fragrant marigolds come in a variety of autumn colors including orange, yellow, and white. With their bold tones, they symbolize prosperity, optimism, and the rising sun.
Blooming in colors of light pink to white, the dainty cosmos are a flower of order and balance. They're also tied to luck and peace.
Coming in a variety of colors, these hearty blooms symbolize joy and longevity. They also mirror loyalty, fortune, and friendship.
Though not as widely recognized as chrysanthemums, peonies are also birth flowers for November. These full and rounded blooms symbolize romance, prosperity, good fortune, honor, and compassion.
Long used in holiday decorations, holly has throughout history been tied to religious traditions and spiritual beliefs. Ultimately, it's a symbol of renewal, happiness, and fertility.
Another plant strongly associated with Christmas, the poinsettia was once a symbol of purity for the Aztecs. Today, it holds meanings of success and celebration.
Sources: (Cosmopolitan) (Brides) (Petal Republic)
See also: Understanding the language of flowers
Every months' birth flower. Do you know yours?
Discover your birth flowers and their meanings
LIFESTYLE Symbolism
Most people know about their zodiac sign or birthstone. And, let's be honest, even if you're not that into astrology, you've probably read about your sign at least once in your life. However, not many people know that they also have birth flowers with their own special meanings. Well, knowing all about birth flowers can be very handy when sending someone the perfect birthday bouquet, or to simply beautify your home.
In this gallery, we look at every month's birth flowers and the characteristics that go along with them. Click on for a lesson on flower power!