Guess what? Every single month has special flower representatives, and it’s a super fun tradition! These blooms have been tied to their months for centuries (think back to ancient myths and traditions), and the stories behind them are seriously fascinating. So they’re more than just gorgeous petals; they’re packed with meaning and historical significance. At Busch’s Florist in Jefferson City, Missouri, we’re here to break it all down and give you the scoop on your birth blossom. Trust, these flowers have details worth knowing about.

January: Carnation, Snowdrop

Carnations have been main characters since ancient times in the Mediterranean, where the Greeks and Romans used them in coronations and festivities. The name’s origins are a little fuzzy, but many believe it comes from the word “dianthus” in Greek, translating to “flower of the gods.” As for snowdrops, the winter warriors of the flower world, they’re admired for their propensity to bloom through snow in European folklore. A Christian story even says an angel gifted Adam and Eve snowdrops as a sign of hope.

February: Violet, Iris

The Ancient Greeks treasured violets, and tied them to love and fertility; they even used them in love potions (because heart-shaped petals = romance and desire). When the Victorian era rolled around, violets remained in the spotlight as symbols of love in literature and art. Irises, on the flip side, take their moniker from the Greek goddess Iris, symbolized by her rainbow bridge between gods and humans. These blooms were just as meaningful in Ancient Egypt, where they also represented a connection between divine beings and mortals.

March: Daffodil, Jonquil

Daffodils have a dramatic backstory, thanks to Greek mythology. Legend has it that after Narcissus, the child of a river god named Cephissus, fell way too deep for his own reflection and drowned; a daffodil bloomed where he passed away. Meanwhile, Welsh folklore has a much happier take — seeing the first daffodil of spring is supposed to bring the viewer good fortune for the rest of the year. Jonquils, a variety of Narcissus, bring a romantic twist with their delicate fragrance and many blooms per stem.

April: Daisy, Sweet Pea

Daisies get their moniker from “day’s eye” in Old English, which totally fits since they open and close with the sun. In Norse mythology, they were special to Freyja, the goddess of love and fertility. Some say daisies might be one of the oldest flowers ever, as carvings dating back thousands of years depict them! Sweet peas have a cool history too — Franciscus Cupani, a Sicilian monk, introduced them to Europe in the 1600s, and the French made them a go-to gift for brides to bring good fortune in marriage.

May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn

Apollo wasn’t just a sun god — he was apparently a landscaper too, using Lily of the Valley to cushion the ground for nymphs. In Christianity, these flowers are linked to sorrow, said to have grown from the tears of Mary at Jesus’ crucifixion or from Eve as she was exiled from the Garden of Eden. Meanwhile, in Celtic traditions, Hawthorn was a must-have for Beltane, used to decorate and celebrate. It was also thought to have fairy connections, which meant it provided magical protection.

June: Rose, Honeysuckle

Roses have always been the flower of love — just ask Cleopatra, who went all out filling rooms with them to charm Antony. Their cultivation dates back thousands of years, with China being one of the first places to grow them successfully. Honeysuckle, which got its name from the Middle English “honeysouke” (yep, it means “honey suck”), was seen as a symbol of joy by the Druids. European folklore also gave it major love for bringing people luck and protection.

July: Larkspur, Water Lily

Did you know delphinium (aka larkspur) is named after dolphins? Its blooms apparently resemble their noses — who knew? Other Greek myths say the flower sprang from a slain blue-blooded dragon, while others connect it to the Battle of Troy. July’s second flower, water lilies, were seen as sacred to Ra, the Egyptian sun god, and in Greek myths, they were linked to water nymphs. In Buddhist and Hindu traditions, water lilies (or lotus flowers) are symbols of enlightenment and spiritual growth.

August: Gladiolus, Poppy

Back in Ancient Rome, gladiators wore gladiolus (aka sword lilies) around their necks for protection and strength in the arena. When they won their battle, fans would rain gladiolus down on them as a tribute to their bravery. In other parts of the world, like Greece, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, poppies were seen as symbols of sleep and resurrection. Today, they carry a different meaning, representing remembrance and honoring those lost in war.

September: Aster, Morning Glory

Ever noticed how asters look like tiny stars? Turns out, that’s not a coincidence — their moniker is derived from the Greek word meaning “star.” Some stories say they came from cosmic dust falling to Earth, while others claim they blossomed from tears that fell from the goddess Astraea’s eyes. On the other hand, morning glories were important in Ancient Egypt, symbolizing rebirth and often appearing on sarcophagi. Mayans and Aztec societies took it even further, using them in sacred ceremonies for their supernatural abilities.

October: Marigold, Cosmo

Marigolds play a huge role in Mexican and Central American culture, particularly for Día de los Muertos, when they decorate altars (called ofrendas) and graves. As marigolds traveled to India, they became just as meaningful, especially during Diwali, weddings, and important religious festivals. Cosmos, with their perfectly arranged petals, got their name from the Greek word kosmos (which basically means harmony and order in the world). Some say their flawless symmetry represents balance and oneness across the entire universe!

November: Chrysanthemums, Peony

Famously known as “The Queen of Fall Flowers,” chrysanthemums received their title from the Greek words for gold and flower: chrysos and anthemon. But if you’re looking for flower mythology with some real drama, peonies take the prize. One story claims Aphrodite turned a nymph named Paeonia into a peony bloom because she was jealous. Another version says Zeus saved the healer Paeon from his envious teacher, Asclepius, by transforming him into the beautiful bloom.

December: Holly, Narcissus

Long before Holly was a Christmas staple, it was a sacred symbol for the Druids, representing protection, fertility, and immortality. They even used it in their rituals and wore them as wreaths to invite good fortune. And who hasn’t heard the legend of Narcissus? The man fell in love with his own reflection, stared at it for so long that he died, and in his place, yellow narcissus flowers grew.

Birth flowers aren’t just gorgeous — they tell a story. Now that you know all about them, pick out a birthday bouquet inspired by them at Busch’s Florist that adds beauty and meaning to someone’s big day!