The Flowers Associated With Your Birth Month
While the “language of flowers,” otherwise known as floriography, is often attributed to the Victorians, the trend is actually much older. In the Roman Empire, flowers were commonly used to signify devotion to gods—and to celebrate birthdays.
Today, the cryptological communication through flowers has fallen largely out of favor, but floral decorations are still curated in accordance with the seasons, and individual flowers have retained their associations with the times of year you’ll find them in full bloom.
If you’ve ever wondered what flowers historically correlate with your birth month, look no further. While the following list is non-exhaustive, it is nonetheless a good starting point for anyone who is curious about introducing flower symbolism into their birthday celebrations—or simply learning about the way in which people conveyed gratitude, well wishes, and love in centuries past
January:
Carnation or snowdrop. The carnation is native to the Mediterranean, and in ancient Greece and Rome it was commonly used at coronations and on religious altars; the bloom was called the “flower of Jupiter,” the chief Roman god who bestowed good fortune on the people. The snowdrop, on the other hand, was beloved by the early Christians for its fierce determination to push through the frozen earth and offer the first glimpse of spring.
February:
Violet or primrose. The stately violet is instantly recognizable, with its vivid purple heart-shaped flowers that instantly bring Valentine’s Day to mind. The alternative, the primrose, comes in a whole litany of colors and symbolizes youth and eternity. The name itself is derived from the Latin word primus, meaning “early,” making it a perfect flower to symbolize the second month of the year.
March:
Daffodil or jonquil. The striking daffodil is an ancient symbol of spring, joyfully heralding new beginnings and new life as the snow finally melts away. Most of us think of the yellow daffodil, but there are also white and orange daffodils, recognizable by their tall stems and uniquely shaped leaves. The jonquil is similar in appearance and meaning, historically representative of hope, vitality, and success.
April:
Daisy or sweetpea. The classic daisy is one of the most recognizable flowers, known for its innocence, sweetness, and purity; it is often included in bouquets for new mothers due to its correlation with femininity and motherhood. Alternatively, the pastel-colored sweetpea was often granted as a farewell offering. It symbolizes gratitude and conveys a sense of peace and calmness.
May:
Lily of the valley or hawthorn. The lush bell-shaped lily remains one of the most popular flowers around the world, and its sweetly scented white petals make it an ideal addition to any springtime bouquet. Though the lily is quite recognizable, it is actually rather rare and only blooms for a brief window of time during the spring. The hawthorn, also known as the “Mayflower,” is more common. It can be found blooming in both white and blush-pink varieties during the spring. In Irish folklore, the hawthorn was associated with protection and love.
June:
Rose or honeysuckle. The red rose has become the most obvious floral symbol for romantic love, but the other colors have different meanings: pink, platonic love; yellow, friendship; white, innocence. As the name might suggest, the honeysuckle is a pleasant-smelling flower that grows on strong climbing vines, and has come to represent devotion and commitment.
July:
Water lily or larkspur. The water lily is a curious aquatic flowering plant that resembles a lotus. It emerges from the mud, closing its petals at night in the moonlight and reopening at daybreak. The Buddhists have long revered it as a symbol of rebirth. There’s also the larkspur, a tall, straight, blueish-purple flower that hides secret poison within its seeds. While it isn’t the best idea to let your kids or pets around it, it’s undeniably a majestic flower.
August:
Poppy or gladiolus. The bold reddish-orange poppy, long associated with sleep, peace, death, and resurrection, is a flower with powerful emotional connotations—especially in the Commonwealth, where it is worn annually to honor veterans. In ancient Greek and Roman culture, too, this flower was used to memorialize fallen heroes. The gladiolus gets its name from the Latin word gladius, meaning “sword,” and in fact has very long, sharp, and pointed petals.
September:
Aster or morning glory. Despite its stunning purple color, the aster still remains fairly underrated—and fewer baby girls are named after it than the alternatives, such as Lily, Rose, or Daisy. Nevertheless, this star-shaped flower, which is historically associated with the star-goddess Astraea, has a whole list of positive meanings, including faith, valor, wisdom, and patience. On the other hand, the morning glory is often used to symbolize fleeting beauty and love due to its very short lifespan. The flower typically blooms and fades within the course of a single day.
October:
Marigold or cosmos. The Aztecs used the marigold in many religious and medicinal ceremonies, elevating the flower to an almost god-like status due to its ability to cure inflammation. Blooming in bright shades of pink and orange, the marigold is still used to symbolize strength of will and determination. The cosmos flower, similarly, is revered in many cultures—and received its name from the Greek word kosmos, representing order, harmony, and balance in a structured universe.
November:
Chrysanthemum or peony. The bright, bold, and loud chrysanthemum comes in virtually every color, shape, and size, but most people think of the large and lavish purplish-red flowers that appear in most midwinter bouquets. They were thought to bring good luck and inspire happiness in fifteenth-century China, where they were first cultivated. The peony, likewise, is highly regarded due to its rarity and association with prosperity and fortune. They aren’t easy to find during November, and their soft ruffled petals give them a certain timeless charm.
December:
Narcissus or holly. The narcissus, or paperwhite, is from the same genus as the daffodil, but this flower is more adapted to indoor life and grow indoors during the month of December even if minimal sunshine is available. In the northern hemisphere, this makes the paperwhite wildly popular. The more traditional Christmas flower is, of course, the holly. Its evergreen leaves serve as a reminder of hope during the darkest season, while holly berries symbolize friendship and faith—especially when woven into a wreath.
