What are the birth flowers for January? What are their meanings? Why do these flowers represent the people who were born in January? Find out the answers to these questions in this article.
January is an important month for it marks the beginning of a new year. People born in this month are honored to be associated with carnation and snowdrop as their birth flowers. It is believed that these flowers possess deep symbolic meanings and attributes that can be passed on to anyone born in January. We will take a closer look at these beautiful flowers to welcome the first month of the year. Learning its symbolism and characteristics is essential for us to start speaking the language of flowers.
Carnation
Carnation is a small but hardy double-flowered cultivated variety of clove pink, white, or red flowers with gray-green leaves. Its scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus. Dianthus is a combination of the Latin words ‘Dios’ meaning ‘gods,’ and ‘Anthos’ which means ‘flower.’ As such, carnation is sometimes referred to as the ‘Flower of Gods.’ For over two thousand years this flower has been cultivated in the Mediterranean because of its beauty, sweet smell, and capability of enduring difficult conditions for plants.
January is one of the coldest months in the northern hemisphere. It is when the people welcome the new year with high spirit and cheer that the flowers are scarcely blooming. Unlike most flowers, the small but strong carnation thrives amidst this unfriendly condition. The flower of gods symbolizes bravery, safety, and strength. With these representations, it is only fitting that carnation is assigned as the birth flower of the first month of the year. Speak the language of the flowers and send out carnations to family and friends. To receive carnation in January is like receiving a gift of courage and strength that will last all year round. The hardy flower also characterizes love and fascination even though its symbolic meaning differs from its specific color.
The carnation comes in a plethora of colors and each signifies a unique characteristic. It is a delightful flower most adored for its ruffled petals, clove-like fragrance, and enduring strength. The carnation’s wide array of colors include red which symbolizes admiration, friendship, love, and affection. A pink carnation is a symbol of a mother’s undying love. The white carnations represent feelings of pure love, faithfulness, and good luck. Yellow symbolizes refusal and disappointment. Legend has it that carnations bloomed on the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The flower of gods is a perfect birth flower for those who were born in the month of January because it symbolizes life and every year is a renewal of life. Every January, we begin a new life equipped with hope, courage, and strength. It is an opportunity to improve our life at the start of a brand new year.
Snowdrop
Another birth flower commonly associated with January babies is the snowdrop. Snowdrops are known for their resemblance to the dropping snow. These flowers of snow bloom in the shape of a bell with six petals in an array of circles. Galanthus nivalis is the scientific name of this perennial bulb. The word ‘Galanthus’ means ‘milk-white flower’ in Greek and ‘nivalis’ in Latin means ‘resembling snow.’ Snowdrops are small flowering plants only growing from 3 to 4 inches tall. In antiquity, the flower is used to be associated with the dead as it is commonly seen in cemeteries. Today, these beauties are becoming more popular thanks to their striking delicate white flowers that feature a distinctive green spot at the tip.
The snowdrop is a birth flower for the month of January. One of the reasons for this association is snowdrops are the earliest flowers to bloom in the year. Like carnations, snowdrops are also fitting as the birth flower of January because it symbolizes rebirth. It also represents success in overcoming trials. The Snowdrop is a perfect reminder that there is a great life ahead and today is only a beautiful beginning.
Aside from rebirth, snowdrop also symbolizes purity, sympathy, and hope. Purity is a symbol that comes from its snow-white petals. People who were born in January are believed to embody this symbolic meaning of the pretty snowdrop. When used as a gift, snowdrops could convey the feeling of sympathy. It is a perfect flower to console someone suffering from sorrow or misfortune. Perhaps the best symbolism of this delicate flower is hope. Having this flower around is like embracing the strong belief that the new year will bring amazing things and that everything will be alright after all.
In this article, we discussed the two flowers commonly accepted as the birth flowers for January — carnation and snowdrop. These flowers are seen as a symbol of hope and revival. Their hardiness and their roles as trailblazers are both inspirational and motivational.
Birth Flowers by Zodiac Sign
Aries Flowers | Taurus Flowers | Gemini Flowers | Cancer Flowers | Leo Flowers | Virgo Flowers | Libra Flowers | Scorpio Flowers | Sagittarius Flowers | Capricorn Flowers | Aquarius Flowers | Pisces Flowers
Birth Flowers by Month
January Flowers | February Flowers | March Flowers | April Flowers | May Flowers | June Flowers | July Flowers | August Flowers | September Flowers | October Flowers | November Flowers | December Flowers