You may be wondering, “Are birth flowers a thing?” The answer is yes! Each month of the year is assigned its own birth flower, just like each month has its own birthstone. It is believed that the practice of giving certain flowers depending on the person’s birth month dates back to ancient times. From way back then to the present day, people have used flowers to express their feelings to those they care about. Don’t know your birth flower? Read on to find out where birth flowers came from, their meanings, and how to give birth flowers as gifts.
Where Did Birth Flowers Come From?
It is unknown exactly when the birth flowers for each month were chosen. However, it is believed that symbolic birth flowers date all the way back to ancient Rome. The Romans were one of the first cultures to celebrate birthdays. The society also loved to give flowers as gifts. With an ideal Mediterranean growing climate, they were able to cultivate many varieties of flowers which they displayed in gardens, wore as crowns, and used to communicate their feelings. Flowers were frequently used as symbols in Roman mythology and played a part in the Romans’ religious worship and rituals. Birth flowers were used to decorate altars to the gods.
Romans may have been the first to give meanings to flowers, but they definitely were not the last! Many religions and cultures throughout the world ascribe meanings to different flowers. Eighteenth and 19th century Victorians were especially fond of the practice of speaking through flowers which came to be known as Floriography.
You will notice that there are sometimes two or more birth flowers assigned to the same month. That’s because the list can vary from place to place and across cultures. A birth flower that is absent in one region may be replaced with a flower that is common to that location or culture. Many of the birth flowers were chosen based on the month they typically bloom or because of a symbolic meaning. Some birth flowers are the same color as the month’s birthstones, the gems that correspond with each month which were chosen in the 18th century.
Birth Flowers and Their Meanings
January: Carnation, Snowdrop
Meaning: Love, hope, admiration, rebirth
February: Violet, Primrose
Meaning: Faithfulness, modesty, young love
March: Daffodil
Meaning: Prosperity, new beginnings
April: Daisy, sweet pea
Meaning: Purity, innocence, blissful pleasure
May: Lily of the valley, hawthorn
Meaning: Motherhood, hope, sweetness
June: Rose, honeysuckle
Meaning: Romance, happiness
July: Water lily, Larkspur
Meaning: Dignity, purity, positivity
August: Gladiolus, poppy
Meaning: Strength of character, imagination
September: Aster, morning glory
Meaning: Affection, love, unrequited love, mortality
October: Marigold, cosmos
Meaning: Creativity, peace, tranquility, passion
November: Chrysanthemum
Meaning: Loyalty, honesty
December: Narcissus, holly
Meaning: Hope, wealth, protection, defense
How to Send Birth Flowers as Gifts
Now that you know the birth flowers and their meanings, it’s the perfect time to give one of these pretty blossoms as a gift to yourself or someone you know! Some people believe that the month in which you’re born plays a part in your personality. Just like the study of astrology, learning about birth flowers is a fun way to get to know yourself or someone else. Birth flowers are not as widely known as birthstones, for example, so you may be letting a friend in on a new fun fact about herself. Birth flower gifts can also help you send wishes of prosperity, wealth, love, or positivity for their year ahead.
Call Kremp Florist or visit Kremp.com to find all the ways you can send birth flowers as gifts. In January, carnations make beautiful and long lasting additions to wrapped bouquets or vase arrangements. June roses come in all the colors of the rainbow, so finding his or her favorite will be a breeze. February’s primroses and March’s daffodils are potted plants that make great birthday gifts. And December’s holly comes in a fragrant evergreen centerpiece around the holidays. Kremp Florist’s designers come up with creative ways to incorporate birth flowers into custom birthday arrangements. Send a birth flower to a friend or family member for a personalized and thoughtful gift that marks their special day!
The article was created by Chad Kremp
