Here Are All 24 Birth Month Flowers and Their Meanings

Different cultures suggest that certain aspects of your personality are influenced by the month in which you were born. This includes the Greco-Roman zodiac, which relies on celestial positioning during your birth, and the Chinese zodiac, which follows the lunar calendar. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the year of the snake, and people born in this year (and all other preceding serpentine years) are known to be wise, intuitive, and charming. But because having one symbol for an entire year of personalities is a bit broad, we prefer to look at more specific birthday symbols. Interestingly, each month also has a symbolic flower known as a birth flower. These flowers represent not only the calendar month but also those born within that time frame.

Birth flowers provide a visually appealing way to celebrate your birth month. Each month features two birth flowers—a primary and secondary—selected based on their bloom time to coincide with the month they symbolize. Birth flowers are believed to encapsulate the personality traits of their respective month. For instance, daffodils in March signify persistence and predictability, while chrysanthemums in November reflect complexity and depth. Whether rooted in Victorian traditions, Greek mythology, or modern interpretations, birth flowers offer fascinating insights into both the months and the people they represent. They also make thoughtful, personalized gifts for your loved ones’ special days.

Our guide ahead highlights all 24 birth flowers, along with their meanings and symbolism.

Month: January; Flower: Carnation

In Ancient Greece, carnations were used as home decorations and strung into garlands. The meaning of these ruffled blooms is directly tied to their colors. Red and pink symbolize love and affection, while yellow is much less cheerful, representing disappointment and rejection. If the flower is striped, regret is in your future.

Month: January; Secondary Flower: Snowdrop

As one of the first flowers of the year to bloom, often peeking up through the snow, snowdrops are seen as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. This birth flower also represents the Greek goddess Persephone; its bloom signaled that she was coming up from the underworld to usher in a new spring.

Month: February; Flower: Violet

Resilient in nature, these common houseplants bloom during the depths of winter. During the Regency era, a gift of violets was a declaration of true intentions. That goodwill has carried on—today, violets of any color symbolize modesty, faithfulness, innocence, and everlasting love.

Month: February; Secondary Flower: Iris

The most intellectual of spring flowers, irises represent wisdom and courage. Named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, this birth flower also symbolizes the link between the earth and the heavens. These days, they are also commonly associated with the passion of Christ and the resurrection, probably because the flower blooms in spring around Easter.

Month: March; Flower: Daffodil

One of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, daffodils are said to represent rebirth and new beginnings. In France, daffodils are a symbol of hope. However, gifting someone a single stem is bad luck, so always deliver a bunch.

Month: March; Secondary Flower: Sakura

The national flower of Japan, the sakura—commonly known as the cherry blossom—represents a time to reflect on renewal and optimism. Think of this birth flower as the floral equivalent to a spring reset. These stunning pink blooms mark the end of winter and signify the beginning of springtime.

Month: April; Flower: Daisy

Long considered a symbol of friendship, innocence, purity, and love, the daisy has no negative connotations. In Norse mythology, the daisy is the symbol of love, beauty, and fertility. Give one to the friend best known to keep your secrets safe.

Month: April; Secondary Flower: Tulip

The national flower of Holland, tulips symbolize fame and and can be a declaration of true love. In the 1600s, before the Tulip Market crash in Amsterdam, the flowers were a sign of wealth and prosperity. Variegated or striped tulips, however, are a subtle way to tell someone they have beautiful eyes.

Month: May; Flower: Lily of the Valley

An aggressive grower, lily of the valley can spread rapidly, often covering entire fields. With its dainty and sweet-smelling blooms, this birth flower represents sweetness and purity. Because it appears as a prelude to summer, it can also signify a return to happiness. Just be aware that it's toxic to people and animals.

Month: May; Secondary Flower: Hawthorn

Signifying the optimism that May can bring, hawthorn flowers are often used to represent hope and supreme happiness. These blooms also have a long medicinal history, having been used in ancient times to treat anxiety, digestive problems, and various skin conditions.

Month: June; Flower: Rose

While there are more than a hundred types of roses, the essential meaning of this birth flower is the same: love. Different colors express it differently, though. Red symbolizes long-lasting romantic love, orange is about excitement and desire, and yellow represents joy and friendship. The ancient Romans viewed roses as a representation of death and rebirth, often planting them on graves.

Month: June; Secondary Flower: Honeysuckle

Sweet-smelling and -tasting, honeysuckle can be found all over the world. Symbolizing the bonds of love and enduring connections, this birth flower is perfect for both friends and loved ones alike. This flower also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine.

Month: July; Flower: Larkspur

Notoriously poisonous, the meaning of larkspurs is surprisingly positive. These blooms often symbolize positivity and dedication. They grow quite tall and were planted as protection against ghosts and spirits in Victorian times.

Month: July; Secondary Flower: Water Lily

Because they close up at night and rebloom with the rising sun, water lilies are often used to represent rebirth, transcendence, and renewal. These blooms have long been revered and odes to them date back centuries.

Month: August; Flower: Gladiolus

Once showered upon victorious gladiators (hence their name) these sword-like flowers are symbolic of honor and victory. This birth flower is a traditional gift for those with a high moral character.

Month: August; Secondary Flower: Poppy

Just like in The Wizard of Oz, red poppies have historically meant pleasure, sleepiness, and oblivion. However, they also can symbolize dreaminess and the line between reality and imagination. These days, they're also used to memorialize soldiers who've been lost during combat.

Month: September; Flower: Aster

Once a symbol of revolution, the aster is now commonly used to remember soldiers lost at war. And because it also symbolizes patience, wisdom, and beauty, this birth flower is a traditional 20th wedding anniversary gift. It's also one of the most deer-resistant plants for your garden.

Month: September; Secondary Flower: Morning Glory

Morning glories have a long history of medicinal use, treating everything from headaches to rheumatism. But these colorful blooms are also known to represent unrequited love, affection, and the fleeting beauty of life, so they're perfect for the transitional month of September.

Month: October; Flower: Marigold

Used to string garlands and adorn altars during Mexico's Día de los Muertos festivities, marigolds are associated with death, grief, and the coming of winter. But thanks to their golden hue, they're also a bright light in the dark. These blooms are largely present in Indian wedding traditions as they are used to bestow brightness on the newlyweds.

Month: October; Secondary Flower: Cosmos

Like the balancing scales of the Libra zodiac sign, cosmos flowers represent inner peace and equilibrium. This birth flower has been grown and cultivated for centuries and was beloved by the ancient Mayan people for its beauty and healing properties.

Month: November; Flower: Chrysanthemum

Hardy chrysanthemums convey loyalty, friendship, and joy. This bloom is also one of the national flowers of Japan, where it's the emblem of the imperial family and a sign of health and longevity. Chinese lore holds that chrysanthemums can promote a longer life and ward off gray hair. No wonder it's such a popular tea!

Month: November; Secondary Flower: Peony

Like their petals, peonies have a layered meaning. Historically they've symbolized shame, but today they impart hope for a long life or a happy marriage when used in wedding florals. And similar to those born in November (Scorpios, looking at you), Peonies can be used to convey passion and high spirits.

Month: December; Flower: Narcissus

A cousin of the daffodil, the narcissus (also known as the paperwhite) stands for purity and unconditional love. While some believe the flower has negative connotations due to its Grecian namesake (the vain demigod Narcissus), gifting the flower conveys a truly selfless message: "You are the one."

Month: December; Secondary Flower: Holly

Often used in holiday decorations, holly represents protection, happiness, and goodwill. Mirroring the festive season's spirit of joy, holly plants were beloved by the ancient Romans for their beauty and symbolic nature.