Every birthday comes with cake, candles, and maybe even a party—but did you know it also comes with designated flowers? Birth flowers have been a thing for centuries, chosen for their symbolism, seasonal availability, and cultural significance. Whether you’re a strong-willed carnation (January) or a bold marigold (October), your birthday bloom says something special about you. Take a trip through the floral calendar with the experts at Julia’s Florist, the best flower shop in Wilmington, and uncover the meaning behind each month’s signature stems!
January: Carnation, Snowdrop
Carnations have been cherished since ancient Greek and Roman times when they were incorporated into all sorts of celebrations and coronations. Their genus name, dianthus, means “flower of the gods”– fitting for such a timeless bloom. Snowdrops, though fragile in appearance, are winter’s warriors, blooming through the snow and frost. According to legend, an angel turned snowflakes into these winter flowers and gifted them to Adam and Eve as a sign of hope.
February: Violet, Iris
Violets have always been symbols of fertility and love. The Ancient Greeks used these heart-shaped flowers in love potions, while the Victorian Era saw violets as symbols of love in art and literature. Irises, named after the rainbow goddess Iris, were seen as a divine connection between heaven and earth in Greek and Egyptian mythology. These legendary blooms even inspired Van Gogh’s iconic art!
March: Daffodil, Jonquil
Daffodils may be stunning, but their backstory is a bit tragic. Greek legend says they appeared where Narcissus (the son of the river god, Cephissus) drowned, lost in admiration of himself. Luckily, Welsh tradition gives the yellow blooms a brighter meaning; if you see the first daffodil of spring, expect a lucky year ahead! Jonquils, a romantic relative of the daffodil, soften the story with their ties to love.
April: Daisy, Sweet Pea
Daisies, meaning “day’s eye” in Old English, have symbolized love and fertility since they were believed to be sacred to the Norse goddess Freyja. Some say they are among Earth’s oldest flowers, as daisies appeared in stone carvings from millions of years ago. Sweet peas, first introduced to Europe by a 17th-century Sicilian monk, became a beloved garden favorite. In France, they were a traditional wedding gift, believed to bring luck and happiness to newlyweds.
May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn
Lily of the Valley has been tied to both joy and sorrow. In Greek mythology, Apollo planted it for nymphs to walk on—a thoughtful gesture! Meanwhile, Christian legend says it grew from the tears of Mary as she wept for her son on the cross or from the tears of Eve as she was banished from the Garden of Eden. Hawthorn, a Celtic symbol commonly seen as decoration on Beltane, marks the shift from spring to summer. Hawthorn was also believed to be intertwined with the fairy world, making it both a magical and protective bloom.
June: Rose, Honeysuckle
Roses have long been tied to love, romance, passion, and beauty. Even Cleopatra famously turned to velvety red roses to enchant Mark Antony. Their cultivation goes back thousands of years in China, making them one of the most cherished flowers in history. Honeysuckle, sweet and fragrant, was seen as a symbol of joy by the Druids. European mythology also credited it with magical properties, bringing luck and protecting homes where it grew.
July: Larkspur, Water Lily
Delphiniums, also called larkspur, were named for their resemblance to a dolphin’s nose, but their mythology is far more dramatic. Some say they rose from a slain dragon’s blue blood, while others connect them to the Battle of Troy. Water lilies, meanwhile, have always had divine associations, symbolizing the Egyptian sun god Ra and serving as a sacred flower for Greek water nymphs. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the water lily, or lotus, represents the journey to enlightenment.
August: Gladiolus, Poppy
Gladiolus, also called sword lilies, were a gladiator’s good luck charm in Ancient Rome. They were both worn around the necks of warriors in battle and showered upon champions after a successful one. Poppies, tied to sleep and rebirth in ancient mythology, have transformed into symbols of remembrance, honoring those lost in war. Together, these blooms tell a story of bravery and tribute.
September: Aster, Morning Glory
With their star-shaped blooms, asters live up to their Greek name, meaning star. In Japanese mythology, morning glories have a more poetic meaning as they grew where Izanami, the goddess of creation and death, was buried, symbolizing the beauty and love she left behind. Their ability to climb and bloom even in the harshest conditions reflects the endurance of love.
October: Marigold, Cosmo
Marigolds are at the heart of cultural traditions, decorating Dia De Los Muertos altars in Mexico and glowing in Diwali celebrations in India. Their presence is thought to bridge the gap between the living and the spiritual world. Cosmos flowers, with their naturally structured petals, got their name from the Greek word kosmos, meaning world, order, harmonious arrangement. Their graceful symmetry is a gentle nod to the balance found throughout the universe.
November: Chrysanthemums, Peony
Chrysanthemums, named for their golden hues, have been symbols of longevity for centuries. Peonies, however, come with two epic backstories steeped in anger and jealousy. One myth says Aphrodite turned the nymph Paeonia into a flower out of spite, while another tells of Zeus transforming a healer named Paeon to protect him from a jealous mentor.
December: Holly, Narcissus
Holly was revered by the Druids as a powerful protector, warding off evil and ensuring good fortune. Its vibrant green leaves and red berries made it a natural symbol of Christmas, a tradition we still hold today. Narcissus, however, comes with its drama as a handsome young man fell so deeply in love with his own reflection that he perished… this should sound familiar. His story might be tragic, but his namesake blooms are now symbols of rebirth.
Birth flowers aren’t just beautiful—they tell a story. Find the perfect, meaningful birthday bouquet at Julia’s Florist. Thoughtful, symbolic, and stunning, our flowers make every birthday and celebration even more special.
