Hands up if you were in the know that every month’s got not just one, but two special birth flowers! If you weren’t, no worries — we’ve got you covered. This floral tradition dates back to the Victorian Era at the earliest, and some of the roots go as far back as ancient civilizations. Each bloom, whether it’s the star of the month or its backup, comes with a fascinating history explaining what it represents and why. At Rose Hill Florist in Nashville, Tennessee, we’ve got all the fun details to share with you.

January: Carnation, Snowdrop

Carnations have been a staple flower since Ancient Rome and Greece, where they were the VIP blossoms at big events such as royal coronations. Some speculate think their moniker comes from the Latin “carnis,” which translates to flesh, thanks to their pink color (the most common one way back in the day). Snowdrops, January’s other bloom, have earned their rep for blooming in winter like the brave trailblazers they are. In many cultures, they’re the perfect symbols of hope and determination in the face of challenges.

February: Violet, Iris

Violets have been ambassadors of love and fertility since Ancient Greece, where they were used in everything from perfumes to love potions. During the Renaissance in Europe, they were muses for writers, poets, and artists. The Victorians added their own spin, associating violets with loyalty and faithfulness. Irises, adored by ancient Egyptians and Romans, found a more modern fan in Vincent Van Gogh. Named after the Greek rainbow goddess Iris, they’ve always symbolized connection and beauty.

March: Daffodil, Jonquil

Daffodils are part of the Narcissus family of blooms, and if that name sounds familiar, it’s because of the Greek myth! Narcissus was the young man who fell so intently for his watery reflection that he wound up drowning in it. Where he tragically met his end, a daffodil supposedly bloomed in that exact spot. Meanwhile, in Chinese folklore, daffodils have a much happier meaning — if one blossoms on New Year’s Day, it’s a sign of wealth and prosperity to come. Jonquils, which are essentially daffodils’ cousins, grow in clusters and represent romance, renewal, and good vibes.

April: Daisy, Sweet Pea

Daisies have been integral in myths for ages, showing up in both Norse and Roman stories. The Norse associated them with motherhood and Freyja, their goddess of fertility and love. The Romans had a more dramatic take — according to legend, a nymph named Belides became a daisy to avoid an overly eager god-suitor. Sweet peas, meanwhile, made their way into European gardens in the 1600s, thanks to a Sicilian monk. The French took it from there, making them a good luck gift for brides on their wedding day.

May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn

Lily of the Valley has been a beloved and revered flower since ancient times. According to Greek myth, Apollo (ever the creative deity) used it to make a soft, fragrant pathway for his nine cherished muses. In Christianity, Lily of the Valley is said to have sprouted where either (or both) Mary or Eve’s tears touched the ground. Hawthorn, on the other hand, had major fairy magic in Celtic culture and was believed indicate doors to other realms. It was also linked to fertility, which made it a go-to flower for decorating during Beltane.

June: Rose, Honeysuckle

Roses have been the gold standard of love for pretty much forever, beloved by Venus and Aphrodite, some of the most famous love goddesses. Rose history goes way back, with places like Persia and China leading the way in growing them centuries ago. Meanwhile, honeysuckle was essential in European folklore, said to protect people against evil. In ancient Greek mythology, Daphnis and Chloe’s love story was literally tied to honeysuckle — whenever it bloomed, they could be together.

July: Larkspur, Water Lily

English folklore exalted delphiniums as nature’s magic, using them in elixirs and potions back in Medieval times. Pawnee legend has an even more mystical take — the flowers were said to have sprung up when a dream woman sliced into the sky and pieces of it rained down and bloomed. Water lilies have a deep spiritual meaning in East Asian traditions, representing wisdom, purity, and enlightenment. The Ancient Egyptians also revered them, linking them to creation and their sun god, Ra.

August: Gladiolus, Poppy

The gladiolus flower gets its moniker from the Latin word for sword, gladius, which makes sense since these flowers stand tall like a warrior. Back in the day, Roman gladiators wore them as they did battle, and if victorious, the adoring crowd would throw more of them from up in the stands. In Egyptian folklore, poppies were beloved by Osiris and represented resurrection, dreams, and sleep. Now, poppies are most recognized as symbols of remembrance for brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

September: Aster, Morning Glory

Asters were considered sacred in Ancient Rome and Greece, often placed in temples and shrines as offerings. According to myth, they came from tears cried by Astraea, the goddess of stars, who was heartbroken over the lack of stars in the sky. Morning glories were also believed to have special powers — Mayans and Aztecs used them in sacred potions for rituals. In Egypt, these flowers were ambassadors of resurrection and were depicted on sarcophagi as a symbol of life after death.

October: Marigold, Cosmo

Marigolds have a deep cultural meaning, whether they’re brightening up Día de los Muertos altars in Mexico and Central America (as well as the diasphora) or being strung up for Diwali celebrations in India. They’re powerful symbols of remembrance, joy, and spiritual connection. Cosmos blooms have their own kind of magic — named after the cosmos itself, their flawless symmetry represents harmony and balance across the universe.

November: Chrysanthemums, Peony

Chrysanthemums have been cherished in many Asian traditions for ages. Japan considers them a symbol of the sun and long life, and even made them the country’s national flower. In Chinese culture, chrysanthemums are one of the revered “Four Noble Ones,” associated with autumn. Peonies, meanwhile, have a mythological twist — Paeon, a follower of the god Asclepius, made a medical breakthrough that set off his jealous teacher. Zeus had to jump in and turn Paeon into a peony blossom to keep him safe.

December: Holly, Narcissus

To the Ancient Celts, holly trees were all about power and protection, representing the Holly King, who was in charge starting at the summer through to the winter solstice. In Ancient Rome, people would hang holly in their spaces during Saturnalia to keep bad energy away — before Christmas was even a thing! And again we have narcissus (because one mention wasn’t enough). This flower was named after a beauty-obsessed hunter who got so lost in his own reflection that he drowned, leaving narcissus blooms behind.

Flowers have a unique way of telling a story, and now you can share that beauty with the perfect bouquet! Mark a loved one’s special occasion with a heartfelt, stunning arrangement from Rose Hill Florist — one they’ll always remember.