This year we're celebrating life, and flowers are a great way to do that. Whether you are bringing potted or cut flowers into your home or giving them as gifts, you're sure to brighten someone's day. I'm interested in learning more about "birthday flowers", or those flowers that are associated with the month in which a person was born.
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| January - Carnations |
You might also be sending a message by the flower and colors you choose. Floriography (or "communication through the use of flowers, with different types of flowers having particular symbolic meanings") has been popular through the ages. Floriography was practiced in ancient Persia and the Middle East; has appeared in art and literature through time; and was made popular during the Victorian era.
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| Creamy yellow and pink carnations brighten the kitchen window (pottery vase by Brad Nebeker) |
For January, birthday flowers include carnations and snowdrops, and symbolize Admiration, Love, Hope, and Rebirth. For Carnations, the color of the flower also sends a message, for example:
- White - pure love, loyalty, innocence, new journey, luck, and prosperity
- Red - deep love and affection, passion about something, distinction in a person
- Pink - gratitude, light pink for maternal love, dark pink for a first date
- Purple - unpredictability, adventurous, heartfelt sentiments like "I'm sorry"
- Yellow - sad sentiments like rejection or disappointment, breaking up with someone
- Striped - solid colors convey an affirmative yes, while stripes convey refusal or no
In my case, I had hoped to purchase white and red carnations to start off the new year (signifying hope for the new year and passion for the journey), but they only had a creamy yellow and a pale pink at the store (signifying sadness that the holidays are over, and gratitude for the new year ahead). I'm enjoying their presence in my kitchen window, to cheer the dark days of winter and celebrate January birthdays, no matter what the color!
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