Every month has a birth flower that’s tied to it, and honestly, the history behind them is kind of amazing. These blooms date back to ancient times in some cases and are connected to their months through cultural traditions and myths. Indeed, there’s so much meaning behind these petals that makes them more than just something pretty to look at. At Ital Florist in Toronto, Ontario, we’re breaking it all down to give you the 411 on your birth blossom’s story. Because flowers with history? We’re all about it.

January: Carnation, Snowdrop

To discover the origin of carnations, we travel back to Ancient Rome and Greece, where these flowers played major roles in important celebrations like coronations. Others suggest the name of the blossom comes from the Latin word “carnis,” which means flesh in English (thanks to the common pink color of ancient carnations). The second bloom for January, snowdrops, have been famous for centuries thanks to their intrepid nature; it takes serious moxie to bloom in winter’s grip. That’s why many cultures see them as symbols of hope, encouragement, and renewal.

February: Violet, Iris

Violets’ origins can be traced to Ancient Greece; back then, these agents of romance and fertility were a main ingredient in love potions and perfumes. Violets continued to represent love in the Renaissance, often serving as muses to poets, artists, and writers. Victorians viewed them as symbols of fidelity. Irises were beloved by many ancient cultures, including the Romans and the Egyptians, and later painter Vincent Van Gogh. They’re also affiliated with the Greek goddess of the rainbow, who shares their name.

March: Daffodil, Jonquil

The genus of Daffodils is Narcissus, and we bet that name sounds a little bit familiar to you: It’s the name of the tragic youth who drowned after falling head-over-heels in love with his reflection in the water. Supposedly, where he took his last breath, a daffodil sprang from the earth. In Chinese lore, wealth and fortune will be abundant if a daffodil blossoms on the first day of the year. As for jonquils, they’re basically daffodils that can have more than one flower on their stem, and they represent optimism, renewal, and romance.

April: Daisy, Sweet Pea

Daisies bloom in both Norse and Roman mythology. In the former, the flowers represent motherhood and childbirth, since they’re the favourite flower of the goddess Freyja. In the latter, a nymph named Belides disguised herself as a daisy to evade the attention of a god who was smitten with her. As for sweet peas, we can thank a Sicilian monk for bringing them to the mainstream in Europe back in the 17th century. Perhaps that’s what led to the French tradition of gifting sweet peas to brides on their wedding day for good luck.

May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn

Lily of the Valley have a starring role in Greek mythology; in it, Apollo (creative god that he was) called on the flower to form a soft, scented carpet for his nine muses to walk on. In Christianity, Lily of the Valley was said to have bloomed where both the Virgin Mary and Eve’s tears landed. Hawthorne is represented nicely in Celtic cultures, as it was favoured in the fairy realm and had magical properties. It also represented fertility, which is why the Celts used it as a decorative element on Beltane.

June: Rose, Honeysuckle

Few would argue that roses are the most prized flower around the world, symbolizing love in countless cultures and traditions; notably they’ve been connected to goddesses of love Venus and Aphrodite. Countries like Persia and China led the charge with their cultivation centuries ago, showing their rich and enduring legacy. Fragrant honeysuckle was treasured in European mythology as it protected against evil. In Greek stories, lovers Daphnis and Chloe could only be together when honeysuckle was in bloom.

July: Larkspur, Water Lily

In English folklore, delphinium were said to have magical powers, ergo they were common ingredients in potions and elixirs in Medieval times. In Pawnee stories, these flowers sprang up after a mythical dream woman cut through the sky and pieces of it rained down. Water lilies are the flower of enlightenment in many East Asian cultures and religions, and are linked to virtues like purity and wisdom. In Ancient Egyptian lore, water lilies are linked to creation and the sun god Ra.

August: Gladiolus, Poppy

The word gladiolus is derived from the Latin word “gladius,” which translates in English to sword; the name is fitting given how tall their blooms grow. Roman gladiators would wear these flowers in the arena and should they best their opponent, be gifted more by the adoring crowd. In Ancient Egypt, poppies were sacred to the god Osiris, and linked to sleep, dreams, and rebirth. Fast forward to contemporary times, and poppies are one of the most important blooms when honouring soldiers who lost their lives in war.

September: Aster, Morning Glory

Asters were sacred to the Romans and the Greeks, who would decorate their holy spaces with these colorful blooms. According to legend, these flowers were created from the tears of the goddess of stars, who wept when she saw how few filled the sky. Morning glories are thought to be sacred in many cultures, notably the Ancient Aztecs and Mayans, who made potions from their petals for ceremonial purposes. In Ancient Egypt morning glories represented resurrection, and can be seen inscribed on ancient artifacts like sarcophagi.

October: Marigold, Cosmo

When you think of marigolds, likely the first thing that pops to mind is how they’re used to honour the dead on Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico, Central America, and the diaspora. Or perhaps you conjure images of Diwali in India, the holiday that celebrates the victory of light over dark; marigolds play a central role in the festivities. Cosmos flowers are ambassadors of order throughout the universe (aka the cosmos); this harmony is reflected in the precise symmetry of their petals perfectly arranged around their sunny centers.

November: Chrysanthemums, Peony

Chrysanthemums have been adored in Asian cultures for centuries. In Japan, they’re considered symbols of the sun and long life, even earning the title of the country’s national flower. In China, they’re known as one of the “Four Noble Ones,” representing autumn and human virtue. Peonies, on the other hand, have a pretty wild origin story tied to Greek mythology. When Paeon, a student of Asclepius (the god of medicine), made a major medical breakthrough, his mentor got super jealous. Luckily, Zeus intervened and turned him into a peony blossom to save his life.

December: Holly, Narcissus

The Ancient Celts revered holly trees as they were representative of the Holly King, the deity in charge from the summer solstice to the winter solstice. Ancient Romans hung holly in their homes during Saturnalia to ward off malevolent forces. All this before Christmas was a thing! And of course, there’s narcissus (yep, it pops up twice in birth flowers), so named for the unfortunate hunter who died because he drowned fawning over his own reflection. Narcissus blooms (associated with vanity) appeared where he fell.

You’ve officially leveled up your flower knowledge! Now, take it one step further and pick out a birthday bouquet at Ital Florist that will make your lucky loved one feel super celebrated.