© Getty Images

Roman origins -

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.

© Shutterstock

Language of flowers -

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.

© Shutterstock

Further popularity -

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.

© Shutterstock

Secrets meanings -

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.

© Shutterstock

Birth month flowers -

And to this day, flowers remain a welcome substitute for words. Now, let's move on to discussing the birth month flowers.

© Shutterstock

January: Carnation -

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.

© Shutterstock

January: Snowdrop -

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.

© Shutterstock

February: Violet -

Violets come in a variety of purple hues and symbolize loyalty and faithfulness. Throughout history, they've also been associated with devotion and innocence.

© Shutterstock

February: Primrose -

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.

© Shutterstock

March: Jonquil -

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.

© Shutterstock

March: Daffodil -

Another spring flower, daffodils symbolize new beginnings, joy, and a deep love that can't be duplicated. They also symbolize innocence and creativity.

© Shutterstock

April: Daisy -

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.

© Shutterstock

April: Sweet pea -

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.

© Shutterstock

May: Lily of the valley -

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.

© Shutterstock

May: Hawthorn -

Hawthorn delivers not only small flower petals, but also small berries. Known as signs of hope, the plant also signifies strength.

© Shutterstock

June: Rose -

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.

© Shutterstock

June: Honeysuckle -

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.

© Shutterstock

July: Larkspur -

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.

© Shutterstock

July: Water lily -

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.

© Shutterstock

August: Gladiolus -

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.

© Shutterstock

August: Poppy -

Honoring those we've lost in tragedies, poppies have a more somber meaning. But they also represent love and gratitude.

© Shutterstock

September: Morning glory -

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.

© Shutterstock

September: Aster -

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.

© Shutterstock

October: Marigolds -

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.

© Shutterstock

October: Cosmos -

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.

© Shutterstock

November: Chrysanthemum -

Coming in a variety of colors, these hearty blooms symbolize joy and longevity. They also mirror loyalty, fortune, and friendship.

© Shutterstock

November: Peonies -

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.

© Shutterstock

December: Holly -

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.

© Shutterstock

December: Poinsettia -

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

© Shutterstock