The birth flower for the month of January is most commonly known as the carnation although some texts do list the snowdrop as an alternative. The carnation represents love. This flower can come in a variety of colors which can vary the meaning. For example, pink communicates affection and admiration, red communicates love, white communicates pure unconditional love and good luck, striped carnations communicate regret over unrequited love and yellow communicates rejection or disappointment in love. 

The snowdrop is a dainty flower that symbolizes hope and beauty. When the snowdrop blossoms it is a sign that winter is coming to a close and springtime is near, hence the symbolic meaning of hope, rebirth and that new adventures are on the horizon. 

The birth flower for the month of February is the Violet. Violets are also sometimes known as Pansies or Heartsease. They symbolize modesty, purification and innocence. The purple violet symbolizes the innocence of a first true love with its heart shaped leaves.  The violet is also used to depict the sacred and deep spirituality.

An alternative to the Violet is the Iris. The Iris is a regal flower that symbolizes love, faith and wisdom. The Iris in a bouquet can also communicate the value of a friendship, hope and deep passion. Most often we think of the traditional shades of purple however the Iris blooms in many different colors from blue to yellow to white and even almost black.

The birth flower for the month of March is the Daffodil, also known as the Narcissus. This is the flower of rejuvenation, rebirth and new beginnings. Related meanings include creativity, inspiration, awareness, renewal and forgiveness. The daffodil is a symbol of encouragement and the ability to overcome obstacles and thrive. Like spring the daffodil communicates an uplifting and energizing message of celebration for new beginnings and reviving old relationships. Daffodils bring the promise of happiness and joy on the horizon.

Daffodils are typically yellow but can also be found in white or orange. The blossom is typically trumpet shaped symbolizing the announcement of impending change or growth. The plant itself also is believed to have medicinal uses as an herbal remedy while the bulb is poisonous. Symbolizing the possibility of change, growth resiliency and that a positive new beginning can emerge from challenging circumstances. 

The birth flower for the month of April is the Daisy. The daisy symbolizes innocence, purity, youthful secrets and love that conquers all. The meaning of this birth flower communicates childlike joy, playfulness and exuberance. The spirit of the daisy symbolized a happy go luck attitude and youthful excitement we all would like to capture. The playfulness and positive attitude of this flower is a common characteristic of many who are born in the month of April.

An alternative to the daisy is the Sweet Pea. The sweet pea is a climbing plant that has many different varieties. While the flower can be many different colors, most often they are purple. The sweet pea also represents youthful innocence, however in addition also symbolizes gratitude for lessons learned and a good bye to past experiences.

The birth flower for the month of May is the Lily. The lily is a flower that is often seen related to the Virgin Mary. The lily symbolizes the qualities of purity, virtuousness, sweetness and humility. When a bouquet of lilies is given as a gift it communicates purity of heart, respect and honor to the recipient. The lily has a unique elegant and regal air as do those born in this month.

The lily never truly goes dormant during the winter. Because of this the lily also symbolizes strength, commitment, persistence and fertility. The resiliency of the lily despite the harshest winter climate represents rebirth and rejuvenation. 

The alternative to the lily is the Lily of the Valley. The Lily of the Valley is considered to be symbolic of the tears of the Virgin Mary. Its meanings include innocence, delicate sweetness, humility and a return to happier times.

The birth flower for the month of June is the Rose. The rose is known for symbolizing love and beauty, additional meanings include passion, perfection, balance, wisdom and timelessness. While the flower itself communicates devotion, hope and new beginnings, the thorns represent defense, loss and thoughtlessness. 

The rose is one of the most popular and commercialized flowers in modern society and has a variety of meanings depending on color. The yellow rose represents friendship. The red and pink represent the various intensities of love. The white rose represents purity, devotion and spirituality. 

An alternative to the rose for this birth month is the Honeysuckle. The honeysuckle produces the nectar that attracts hummingbirds giving off a sweet intoxicating aroma. The honeysuckle symbolizes love, affection and deep devotion.

The birth flower for the month of July is the Larkspur. The larkspur grows as a tall stalk with many blossoms in shades of pink, red, yellow, blue or purple. The larkspur symbolizes joy, laughter, lightheartedness, loving affection and a purity of heart. The larkspur can represent that the receiver is someone to whom there is a strong attachment. Giving the larkspur to another can communicate an open heart. 

As with other flowers specific colors can specify the meaning of this flower. Pink symbolizes fickleness. White symbolizes happiness. Purple symbolizes first love. The more subtle colors of this flower symbolize lightness, levity and absence of worry. Overall the larkspur is joyful and uplifting.

The birth flower for the month of August is the Gladiola. The gladiola represents strength and integrity. While this flower is representative of a warrior spirit, they also symbolize the ability to win others over. This explains why infatuation is another meaning of this flower. In terms of a relationship, gladiolas communicate sincerity and faithfulness. The gladiola is often interpreted as a sign of encouragement, a reminder to never give up.

Poppies are an alternative flower for this birth month. Poppies symbolize rest, recovery, resurrection, peace, beauty and success. When a poppy is exchanged between couples it symbolizes a deep passionate love. White poppies symbolize death across many cultures and are often used at funerals to represent sleep and a peaceful death. Red poppies may symbolize remembrance and consolation in some circumstances and love and success in others. Other colors including purple, blue and pink symbolize imagination, creativity, luxury and success.

The birth flower for the month of September is the Aster. Asters are a wild flower that grows in a wide variety of colors often blanketing fields and roadsides. The aster is known for being delicate and dainty with wild beauty.  Asters symbolize intoxicating and magical powers in love. The leaves of the Aster were believed to ward off evil in ancient times. In turn the aster can symbolize protection and safety from harm. Aster communicates steadfast persistence and patience, love of variety, and elegance.

An alternative to the aster is the Morning Glory. The morning glory represents the duality of life and death, love and unrequited love. The morning glory also symbolizes mortality. In Victorian England, morning glories were planted on gravestones to represent a love that never ended. However, conversely morning glories can also represent love that was never returned. 

The birth flower for the month of October is the Marigold. Marigolds signify grace, affection, dedication and hard work. Marigolds can also be a symbol of sadness, grief and loss. In early Christian times marigolds were called Mary’s Gold and planted near statues of the Virgin Mary. Marigolds do not survive when cut, linking to the symbols of loss and remembrance. Because of their bright vivid colors Marigolds can also be given to uplift and communicate a sense of optimism about the future symbolizing wealth and success. Additional meanings include jealousy, trapped in a love triangle and encouragement to move forward to reach your full potential.

The Cosmos is an alternative flower for the month of October. These are also very bright, vivid flowers. They symbolize peacefulness, wholesomeness and modesty. The gift of this flower communicates deep feelings of love and an invitation to walk through life together.

The birth flower for the month of November is the Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums represent friendship. Chrysanthemums are a symbol of the sun and represent unfolding joy, opportunities, and happiness. This is the cheeriest of flowers communicating optimism, hope and possibility. The gift of a chrysanthemum is ideal for communicating friendship, support and encouragement. 

Heading into the winter months this birth flower is a reminder to continue to be joyful and see the beauty in difficult times. As a symbol of cheerfulness and positivity the chrysanthemum encourages the receiver to look for the silver lining and see the brighter side of a situation. As the primary flower for friendship this flower strongly symbolizes loyalty, love and support with a reminder to keep going no matter what you are going through.

The birth flower for the month of December is the Poinsettia. The poinsettia is known as the Christmas flower or the Christmas star, however with proper care this plant will live year round. Poinsettias symbolize good cheer, merriment and that all things are possible. Additional meanings include joy, love, hope, purity, and holiness. A gift of the poinsettia can represent selfless sacrifice and submission. The red poinsettia also symbolizes wisdom. Poinsettias can grow tall and strong when nurtured which leads to yet another symbolic representation of motherhood. 

Some consider holly a flower and an alternative to the poinsettia. Holly symbolizes joy, goodwill and gratitude. It also is a symbol for protection and defense. Occasionally, another alternative to the poinsettia for this month is the daffodil, the March birth flower.