The Meaning Behind Birth Flowers

By Susan Banks Sr

keywords: flower flowers birth birth flower the the love given language ones meaning language flowers own give month carnation person flowers persons birthday lily valley

For as long as we all remember, flowers have always been given as gifts for any occasion. We give flowers as gifts simply because flowers are beautiful and their beauty pleases everyone. The act of giving flowers is also a language in itself. Each flower is said to have its very own meaning, and the meaning of a particular flower when given to a person conveys a message that corresponds to the flower's meaning to that person.

The practice of giving flowers on a persons birthday dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. The Romans presented flowers on a persons birthday to honor that person as well as to honor Flora, the Roman goddess of springtime and flowers. Flowers are also given in temples as offering to the gods. How a flower became associated with a particular month and got referred to as a birth flower is simply because the said flower is more in season on that month than on any other month. Over time, birth flowers came to have a special meaning of their own.

January is for Carnations

The carnation is Januarys birth flower. It is also called dianthus, meaning "divine flower" or "flower of the gods" in Latin. Hardly surprising it is that the carnation has come to denote pride, beauty and distinction, given its godly name. The carnation is also the flower of affection. To give a person a white carnation is to indicate friendship. Red carnations are synonymous with longing while the pink ones signify romance. Yellow carnations, on the other hand, convey rejection.

February is for Violets

February's birth flower is the violet, the flower of faithfulness in love and of chastity. In the language of flowers, the violet is given by a lover to his loved one to tell her that he will always stay true. This most applies to the purple-petaled violets. The white ones convey the message of taking the chance of giving her his heart.

March is for Daffodils

The daffodil, the birth flower for March, is the flower that signifies friendship and happiness at home. It is also the flower used to express unrequited love for another person; however, since the daffodil is one of the first flowers to bloom in springtime, it has also come to be seen as the flower for hope in love. Daffodils are also known as narcissus and jonquil.

April is for Daisies

The daisy, one of the most beloved flowers among flower lovers, is the birth flower of April. Innocence and modesty are the virtues associated most with the daisy, largely because of its daintiness despite the boldness of its colors. In the language of flowers, daisies are given by a gentleman to a lady after spending a pleasant time with her.

May is for Lilies of the Valley

Legend has it that the lily of the valley sprouted from the tears wept by Eve when she and Adam were cast away from Eden. However, this birth flower for May is more symbolic of purity, chastity and humility, with its small, bell-shaped blossoms that tend to clump together. The lily of the valley also means the return of happiness, which is the reason why it is often used as decorations in weddings.

June is for Roses

The rose, the queen of all flowers, is the birth flower of June. It has long been known as the flower of passion, which each color conveying a message pertaining to love. Red roses mean burning love while pink roses mean deep regard and admiration. White roses are given either as a sign of friendship or of love held in secret. Yellow roses, on the other hand, express jealously or love that is about to die.

July is for Larkspurs

The larkspur can be said to be the floral representation of the expression "wearing one's heart on the sleeve". This July's birth flower is the symbol for openness and lightness, and sometimes for fickleness. Fickleness is the message behind the pink larkspur in the language of flowers, while joy is one behind the white. Purple ones are meant to say that their receiver is a very sweet person.

August is for the Gladiolus

The birth flower for August is the gladiolus, named after gladiators for their sword-like shape. Because of this shape, the gladiolus is also referred to as the flower of strength and courage, as well as for sincerity and forthrightness. In the language of flowers, the gladiolus is supposed to mean love at first sight.

September is for Asters

The aster, the birth flower for the month of September, is Latin for star. This dainty flower is supposed to denote faith in one's love, as well as wisdom and bravery. To give a loved one a bouquet of asters is to ask him or her to take care.

October is for Marigolds

In India, the marigold, the birth flower for October, is considered to be the holiest among flowers. Marigolds are often strung together into necklaces and placed around the necks of religious statues as an offering. In western tradition, however, marigolds are associated with sorrow and the offering of sympathy.

November is for Chrysanthemums

The chrysanthemum, the Imperial flower of Japan, is the birth flower for November. It is another flower that represents friendship, and at times it is also given to someone to signify a secret love and longing for that person. In some countries, the chrysanthemum also stands for death.

December is for Narcissi

The narcissus was once associated with vanity; according to myth, the youth Narcissus became enamored of his own beauty when he saw his own reflection. He died pining for his own beauty and when he died, Apollo turned him into the flower that bore his name. This birth flower of December, however, has become a symbol for fidelity and constancy.

Flowers are lovely gifts to give a loved one regardless of occasion. Making this gift birth flowers make it more meaningful.

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