The Language of Birth Flowers
Birth flowers date back to at least the 18th and 19th century, when the language of flowers, floriography, was popular. During this time, giving a flower to someone didn’t just signify your gratitude or love. Instead, it held a specific representation of a person’s care or in some cases, offense! Below are the birth flowers for each month and what those flowers mean. Next time your mother’s, friend’s, or significant other’s birthday comes around, think about getting them a gift that goes beyond the superficial into a deeper understanding of your care towards them.
January
January
Carnations vary in coloring. Dark red, means deep love, white for innocence, and pink for affection. A Snowdrop signifies hope and beauty, as it’s one of the first flowers to grow in the spring.
February
Violets signify loyalty, faithfulness, and watchfulness. Primroses are one of the first flowers to grow from the snow, so it’s no surprise they mean something you can’t live without.
March
A Jonquil is a variant of Daffodil, also known as the Narcissus flower. Giving this flower to someone means “unequaled love,” or a love that cannot be rivaled.
April
Daisies convey innocence and purity, along with loyal love. However, given to a friend it could mean you’ll keep a secret of theirs you’ll never tell. Sweetpeas can be used to say good
bye to someone you love.
May
Lilies of the Valley signify sweetness, humility and a return to happiness. Hawthorns represent hope and supreme happiness; great to give someone who you wish to get well soon.
June
Red roses say “I love you,” pink ro
ses mean perfect happiness, and white roses imply innocence and new beginnings. Honeysuckle symbolizes everlasting love; great to give to a significant other or best friend.
July
White larkspur implies a happy nature, purple represents first love, blue symbolizes grace, but generally larkspur conveys strong bonds of love. Water lilies symbolize purity and majesty.
August
Gladiolus, or “sword lily,” means being “pierced by love” along with infatuation, integrity, and remembrance. White poppies offer condolences, yellow gives wishes to success, and red means life’s pleasure.
September
Asters convey feelings of powerful love, and according to folklore, they used to be burned to ward off serpents! Morning Glories are simple signs of affection to give to a loved one.
October
Marigolds symbolize prosperity, optimism, and grief of a loved one. Some cultures say the flower guides souls to
the afterlife. Cosmos convey peace and order as of it’s symmetrical shape.
November
In Japanese culture, the Chrysanthemum is a symbol of youth and the sun. Other meanings include “I love you” for red “mums” and pure love for white mums.
December
Holly represents hope and happiness. While December & March share a birth flower, December claims the paper-white Narcissus. Given to your loved one, it means you wish for them to stay just the way they are.
As a senior, Caeli is the Head Artist and a Staff Writer on The Norse Star. If you don’t see Caeli in Norse Star, you will most likely find her in the...
