The tradition of assigning a specific flower to each month of the year is a popular way to celebrate personal milestones. These designated blooms, known as birth month flowers, act as natural emblems believed to reflect the personality and characteristics of those born within their corresponding month. Much like birthstones, these flowers offer a deeply personal touch when selecting gifts or creating decorative arrangements. The practice lends a layer of symbolic significance to birthdays and anniversaries.
The Complete List of Primary Birth Month Flowers
January
The primary flower for January is the Carnation, recognized for its ruffled, multi-layered petals and wide array of colors, including white, pink, red, and yellow. The secondary flower is the delicate Snowdrop, characterized by its small, white, bell-shaped flower. The Snowdrop is often one of the first blooms to emerge from the cold ground.
February
February’s official flower is the Violet, typically found in vivid purple hues, but also appearing in white and yellow. These dainty flowers are known for their heart-shaped leaves and modest, low-growing habit. The Primrose serves as the month’s secondary flower, a small perennial known for its clusters of brightly colored flowers that bloom early in spring.
March
The Daffodil is the distinctive flower for March, known for its prominent, trumpet-shaped central cup surrounded by six outer petals. These bright blooms are most commonly yellow, signaling the end of winter and the start of spring. The Jonquil, a species of narcissus that features multiple small flowers per stem, is also associated with this month.
April
The simple Daisy is the traditional flower for April, recognized by its bright yellow center surrounded by thin, white petals. This common flower has a clean, unassuming appearance. The Sweet Pea, with its delicate, ruffled petals and intensely fragrant scent, is the secondary bloom for April.
May
The primary flower for May is the Lily of the Valley, known for its small, fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers that hang down a slender stalk. This plant grows in dense patches. The Hawthorn, a thorny shrub that produces small, fragrant white or pink flowers, is the month’s alternate flower.
June
The Rose is the primary flower for June, celebrated worldwide for its elegant, spiraled arrangement of petals and diverse range of colors. Roses grow on woody stems that are typically covered in thorns. The Honeysuckle, a climbing vine with intensely fragrant, tubular flowers, is the secondary bloom.
July
The official flower for July is the Delphinium, which features tall, spiky stalks densely packed with brightly colored flowers, often in shades of blue, purple, and white. The Water Lily, a large, floating aquatic plant with broad leaves and star-shaped flowers, serves as the alternate choice.
August
The Gladiolus is the primary flower for August, distinguished by its tall, sword-like stalks lined with funnel-shaped blooms. This flower is available in a vibrant array of colors. The Poppy, known for its delicate, papery petals and central black seed pod, is the secondary flower.
September
September’s flower is the Aster, a late-blooming perennial named for the Greek word meaning “star,” referencing its shape. These daisy-like flowers appear in various colors, including pink, purple, and white. The Morning Glory, a vine with trumpet-shaped flowers that open only in the morning, is the alternate bloom.
October
The Marigold is the primary bloom for October, identified by its dense, golden-hued, ruffled flower heads that echo the warm colors of fall. These flowers have a distinct, pungent aroma and are known for their hardiness. The Cosmos, a delicate flower with open, daisy-like petals on long, slender stems, is the month’s secondary selection.
November
The Chrysanthemum, or “Mum,” is the singular official flower for November, characterized by its full, rounded head composed of many small petals. These blooms are exceptionally hardy and come in nearly every color except blue.
December
The primary flower of December is the Narcissus, which includes the Paperwhite variety, featuring small, highly fragrant white or yellow flowers with a central cup. The Holly, with its shiny, spiky green leaves and bright red berries, is the traditional secondary flower.
Understanding the Symbolic Meaning of Each Flower
The specific characteristics of each birth flower contribute directly to its symbolism across various cultures. The concept of floriography, the language of flowers, established the meanings that remain in use today. Some flowers symbolize deep affection, while others are associated with traits like purity, hope, or strength.
The Rose is universally recognized as a symbol of love, but its meaning is refined by color; red signifies passion and yellow represents friendship. The Carnation of January symbolizes love and distinction, with its delicate ruffles suggesting complex emotion. The hardy nature of the Carnation also suggests enduring devotion.
Delicate, early-blooming flowers often carry themes of renewal and modest virtues. The Snowdrop, which emerges even while snow is on the ground, represents hope and rebirth. The Violet, with its low-growing habit and vivid color, is associated with faithfulness, modesty, and humility.
Flowers with strong physical characteristics frequently represent inner qualities. The Gladiolus, with its towering, sword-like stalk, is an emblem of strength of character, sincerity, and moral integrity. The Aster, named for its star shape, conveys love and wisdom.
The Daisy represents innocence and loyal love, attributed to its simple, open-faced appearance. The Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness and the return of happiness, suggested by its gentle, nodding bells. The Marigold, with its bright, warm colors, is linked to passion and creativity.
Historical Origins of the Birth Flower Tradition
The custom of connecting specific flowers to months of the year has roots stretching back to ancient Roman times. Romans frequently adorned festivals and celebrations with blooms, believing certain flowers offered luck, protection, or a connection to spiritual deities. This practice laid the groundwork for linking a flower’s natural bloom cycle with the calendar.
The tradition gained significant cultural momentum during the Victorian era in England, when floriography, or the language of flowers, flourished. Social etiquette often restricted the open expression of emotion, prompting people to communicate secret messages through the careful selection and arrangement of flowers. Dictionaries were published to help decode the meaning of various bouquets.
The Victorians embraced birth flowers, using them as personalized emblems to acknowledge an individual’s character or convey a coded compliment. The specific flowers chosen for the modern list reflect a blend of ancient Roman associations and the formalized symbolic language established during the 19th century. This combination solidified the birth month flower tradition as a popular custom that persists today.