What Are the 12 Birth Flowers?

Most of us likely know our sun sign and its zodiac symbol, our birthstone and maybe even our lucky number. But did you know that you have a birth flower too? Just as astrology seeks to understand and reveal how the positions and movements of celestial bodies can influence our personalities and life events, knowing about your birth month flower (or flowers) is yet another fun lens through which to ponder and celebrate the particular quirks and qualities of ... you!

Birth month flowers, aka birth flowers, are blossoms that represent each month of the year. And, just as your horoscope is associated with certain characteristics and predictions, so is the unique flower that reflects the specialness of those born in a particular month. Primary and secondary flowers for each month allow not only for variations in plants due to regional climes, but also for more options in choosing the flower that resonates best with the personality and inclinations of the human whose birthday is being celebrated.

The custom of connecting certain flowers with each birth month stems from the time of ancient Rome when folks believed that specific flowers brought protection and good luck during the month that they bloomed. Throughout the ages, the symbolism and connotations of birth flowers have grown into a perfect way to celebrate yours or someone else's natal day in a special way that, to quote Dr. Seuss, says, "Today you are You! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is Youer than You!"

So let's explore the 12 birth months and their corresponding birth flowers.

January Birth Flower: Snowdrop

Snowdrops and carnations are two of the very few flowers that can thrive in winter. Snowdrops, which appear in late winter with their drooping white bells and slender green leaves, symbolize love and purity.

Secondary January Birth Flower: Carnation

With their big, ruffled petals and varied color options, carnations are ancient flowers that represent devotion, loyalty and love. If you are a January baby, you're likely a person who loves deeply and passionately and puts family first; you're a loyal friend.

February Birth Flower: Violet

Violets often self-seed, coming back each year in unexpected locations. Sunbunny Studio/Shutterstock

While February has been "Hallmarked" by Valentine's Day and the ubiquitous red rose, in terms of birth flowers, February is all about the color purple — even its birthstone is amethyst. Violets are age-old little flowers that were cultivated by the ancient Greeks for medicinal purposes and to add extra sweetness to their wine. The heart-shaped petals of the violet were even used in love potions. In modern times, violets represent faithfulness, humility and spiritual wisdom.

Secondary February Birth Flower: Iris

Irises symbolize eloquence, faith, hope and wisdom. The iris is the symbolic flower of the Greek goddess Iris who was also the messenger of love. So those of you born in February have a pretty high standard to live up to.

March Birth Flower: Daffodil

Daffodils are the cheerful and iconic harbingers of spring. With their happy yellow petals and trumpet-shaped centers, the daffodil symbolizes good luck, rebirth and new beginnings. People born in March are the happy, cheerful, optimistic types known for lighting up rooms and brightening the days of others.

Secondary March Birth Flower: Sakura

Sakura, or cherry blossoms, burst onto the spring scene and in a blink they're gone, reminding us that life is beautiful and also fleeting.

April Birth Flower: Daisy

Scientists have found depictions of the humble daisy carved in stones as old as 3000 B.C.E., making daisies one of the oldest flowers in the world. Whether with white petals and a bright yellow center or in other shades such as pink or red, daisies are often associated with innocence and purity and can also represent new beginnings and loyalty.

Secondary April Birth Flower: Tulip

Tulips have been loved for centuries because they are associated with true and deep love. They're perfect to give to someone who you have a deep, unconditional love for, whether it's your partner, parents, children or siblings.

May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley

May-born humans can take pride in having two fabulous birth month flowers to represent their innate optimism and gentle, loving natures. Traditionally, lily of the valley, a fragrant woodland plant with bell-shaped pink or white flowers, symbolizes humility, sweetness, the return of happiness and motherhood.

Secondary May Birth Flower: Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree with spiny branches and lobed leaves that produces exquisite pink or white flowers. It represents protection against evil spirits as well as hope and happiness.

June Birth Flower: Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is an aromatic pollinator magnet with its tubular-shaped, bright yellow, orange or pink blooms and is a birthday flower delight. Honeysuckle represents sweetness and devotion towards family, loved ones and friends.

Secondary June Birth Flower: Rose

June people can also boast about having the GOAT flower, the rose, as their secondary birth petals. Available in a myriad of colors, shapes and sizes, the rose signifies love, passion and beauty. And, after all, who doesn't love a fragrant bouquet of roses?

July Birth Flower: Larkspur

Larkspur is tall and slender with blue to purple or pinky-red spikes of small blossoms. It exudes a kind of levity and embodies deep bonds of love and affection, reflecting the qualities of those born in this carefree summer month.

Secondary July Birth Flower: Water Lillies

Water lilies come in a range of hues, including white, pink, yellow and red and can have delicate patterns on their showy blooms that float on the surface of still or slow-moving water. The water lily symbolizes purity of heart.

August Birth Flower: Poppy

Poppies are the traditional symbols of both remembrance and imagination. Serhii Brovko/Shutterstock

The poppy comes in a rainbow of brilliant colors, each with a different meaning. It's no wonder that this late-blooming summer dazzler represents imagination.Those born in August are strong, creative, independent characters with a fierce streak a mile long.

Secondary August Birth Flower: Gladiolus

Gladiolus harken from South Africa and were an important flower in ancient Rome, where victorious gladiators were lavished with them after winning a battle. The gladiolus flower signifies strength of character, moral integrity, honesty and generosity.

September Birth Flower: Morning Glory

Morning glories bloom on fast-growing vines and symbolize both undying and unrequited love. Maljalen/Shutterstock

The primary September birth flower is the morning glory, with its trumpet-shaped petals comes in shades of red, white, pink, blue and purple. The morning glory symbolizes love, affection, rejuvenation, mortality, rebirth, past memories and even unrequited love.

Secondary September Birth Flower: Aster

September people are said to have a star-like quality. Named after the Greek word for "star" due to their celestial shape, the dainty blooms of the lovely aster come in lots of colors but mainly red, lilac, pink and white. While they bloom year-round, asters really put on a vibrant show in early autumn. The aster represents love, wisdom, faith and innocence.

October Birth Flower: Marigold

Represented by the cheerful, spicy blooms of the marigold, those born in October are passionate, hard-working and industrious. Marigolds date back to the ancient Aztecs who ascribed them with medicinal, magical and religious properties. As one of the sturdiest flowers of autumn, marigolds signify strong-willed determination with a dash of warmth and creativity.

Secondary October Birth Flower: Cosmos

The cosmos flower symbolizes harmony, balance and tranquility, embodying the inner peace and internal balance that many October-born people seem to possess.

November Birth Flower: Peony

Peonies are known for their delicate, ruffled petals and sweet perfume. Nick Pecker/Shutterstock

The primary November birth flower is the peony. Did you know that some bold peony plants can live for up to 100 years? This lush, sun-thriving, fragrant floral represents prosperity, honor and romance to match the fiery spirits of November-born earthlings.

Secondary November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are universally popular cut flowers because of their variety and huge array of colors. These opulent beauties are thought to bring good luck and joy to those who receive them. In fact, in both China and Japan, chrysanthemums have their own special day called the Festival of Happiness. Chrysanthemums have lots of meanings depending on their hue, but for the most part symbolize friendship, love and joy — capturing the affable nature of those born in November.

December Birth Flower: Holly

What better birth flower for December than the merry and jolly holly? While technically not a flower, its dark green leaves and flaming red berries make it the perfect pop in a holiday bouquet. Before holly was considered merely an ornamental plant, it was considered a symbol of fertility. And Pagans of yore even used it to banish necromancers. These days, holly is known for bringing prosperity, luck, peace and merriment.

Secondary December Birth Flower: Narcissus

The festive narcissus, aka, paperwhites, are native to Mediterranean climes and have been grown for centuries for their fragrant beauty and ease of cultivation. They symbolize rebirth, hope and fresh starts while reflecting the can-do attitude and perseverant hopeful outlook of those born in wintry December.