Turns out, every month has a flower to call its own, and the backstories are next-level interesting! These blossoms have been linked to their designated months for centuries, thanks to ancient mythology and cultural traditions. So while they’re definitely pretty, they also carry deeper meanings that make them especially fascinating. At Flowers & Fancies in Owings Mills, Maryland, we’ve done the research to bring you the full story behind your birth flower. Who knew they had so much to say? (Spoiler alert: we did.)

January: Carnation, Snowdrop

Carnations, native to the Mediterranean, were a go-to flower for the Romans and Greeks, showing up in coronations and major celebrations. The name is a bit of a mystery, but many believe that it’s connected to the word dianthus, which translates to “flower of the gods” in English. Snowdrops, on the flip side, are the snow-day champs of the flower world, admired in European folklore for their courage to bloom in winter. One sweet Christian story says an angelic being turned snowflakes into snowdrops as a hopeful present for Adam and Eve.

February: Violet, Iris

The Ancient Greeks saw violets as the perfect symbols of fertility and love, with their heart-shaped petals making them main ingredients in love potion recipes. By the Victorian era, violets were still going strong as a major romantic symbol, showing up in art and poetry. The Greek goddess of rainbows, Iris, is where irises get their name; she was the bridge between gods and humans in mythology. Then in Ancient Egypt, irises represented that same link between the mortal and divine worlds.

March: Daffodil, Jonquil

Daffodils owe their name to Narcissus, the beautiful young man from Greek mythology; he literally fell in love with own reflection in the water to tragic consequences. The legend says a daffodil bloomed in the exact spot where he drowned. In Wales, daffodils are much less tragic — seeing the first one blooming after winter is supposed to bring prosperity and good luck for 365 days. Jonquils, which belong to the same floral family, are all about romance, thanks to their pleasing fragrance and numerous blossoms on a single stem.

April: Daisy, Sweet Pea

The name daisy in modern English comes from the phrase “day’s eye” in the Old English, and in the world of Norse myth, these blossoms were beloved by Freyja, the goddess of love and fertility. It’s probable that daisies could be the oldest flowers in the world — literally — because they’ve been found on thousand-year-old stone carvings. Sweet peas have a different kind of history, making their way to Europe in the 1600s thanks to a Sicilian monk. In France, they became a symbol of luck in marriage and were gifted to brides for a happy future.

May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn

Apollo, being the benevolent God he was, supposedly spread Lily of the Valley so nymphs wouldn’t have to step foot on rough ground. In Christianity, these flowers are linked to sorrow, blooming where Mary’s tears fell on the ground at Jesus’ crucifixion — or in some versions, from the tears of Eve as she departed Eden. Meanwhile, Hawthorn was a prized bloom in Celtic culture, particularly during Beltane, when it was used to create festive decor. The Celts also believed Hawthorn to be connected to the fairy world, giving it some serious protective energy.

June: Rose, Honeysuckle

Roses have been the go-to love flower for thousands of years — famously, Cleopatra wooed Antony by decorating his space with dozens of their blooms. Their cultivation goes back thousands of years as well, with China playing a huge role in their early proliferation. Honeysuckle, whose Middle English moniker “honeysouke” translates simply to “honey suck,” was all about joy in Druid traditions. Meanwhile, European folklore saw it as a lucky charm and a natural protector.

July: Larkspur, Water Lily

The name delphinium, aka Larkspur, actually comes from a Greek word (delphis, which means dolphin) because its blooms are said to resemble the nose of a dolphin. Some Greek legends take a more dramatic turn, linking the flower to the epic Battle of Troy or a dragon with azure blood. Water lilies are sacred to Ra, the powerful Egyptian sun god, while Greek myth ties them to water nymphs. In many Hindu and Buddhist scriptures, the water lily — also referred to as the lotus — is the ultimate symbol of enlightenment.

August: Gladiolus, Poppy

Gladiolus, nicknamed sword lilies, were a symbol of courage in Ancient Rome — the gladiators wore these blooms around their necks in battle. If they won their fight, they were showered in gladiolus blossoms by admiring spectators. In Ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Egypt, poppies had a mystical meaning, representing sleep and resurrection. In contemporary times, poppies are best known as flowers of remembrance, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in war.

September: Aster, Morning Glory

If asters remind you of little stars, that’s exactly the point — their name is based on the Greek word for “star.” Some stories say they formed from stardust falling to Earth, while others believe that they grew from tears shed by the goddess Astraea. Morning glories were especially beloved in Ancient Egypt as a powerful symbol of rebirth; for this reason they were inscribed on sarcophagi and other artifacts. The Mayans and Aztecs, meanwhile, thought these blooms had mystical powers and used them in their rituals.

October: Marigold, Cosmo

In Central America and Mexico, marigolds are the ultimate ritual flowers, notably during Día de los Muertos, when people use them to honor their ancestors. After being exported to India and South Asia, they became a major part of weddings, Diwali, and many religious ceremonies. Cosmos, with their neat and balanced petals, were named after the Greek word kosmos that means world, order, and a harmonious arrangement. Their perfect symmetry is thought to represent balance not just in nature, but in the universe itself.

November: Chrysanthemums, Peony

Famous for being “The Queen of Fall Flowers,” chrysanthemums get their gorgeous moniker thanks to the Greek words meaning gold and flower — chrysos and anthemon. Peonies, however, have a significantly more intense backstory. According to one myth, the nymph Paeonia caught Aphrodite’s eye (in the worst way), so she turned her into a peony (talk about jealous). A different telling explains that Zeus had to protect the healer Paeon from his super jealous mentor Asclepius, so he made him a peony to hide him. So much drama!

December: Holly, Narcissus

The Holly tree has been revered as a sacred symbol of immortality, protection, and fecundity since the time of the Ancient Celts. Druids believed holly to be endowed with sacred properties, wearing it in their wreaths for auspiciousness and using it as a ceremonial ingredient, long before it became a Christmas favorite. As for Narcissus, his story is legendary — he fell in love with his own reflection, couldn’t look away, and in the end, yellow narcissus flowers bloomed where he died. Sound familiar?

With all this new birth flower wisdom, you can totally impress your loved ones with a bouquet that goes beyond just being pretty. Find the perfect birthday flowers at Flowers & Fancies and give a gift with heart and inspiration.