Raise your hand if you knew that each month has not one, but two birth flowers? If you didn’t know, now you do! They’ve been a thing since at least the Victorian Era, with some origins going all the way back to various ancient cultures around the world. Each bloom — the primary and secondary for each month — has a unique story that highlights their history and why they’re perfect for their assigned month. At Allan’s Flowers in Prescott, Arizona, we’re here to break it all down for you.

January: Carnation, Snowdrop

Carnations, originally from the Mediterranean, have been adored since the days of ancient Greece and Rome, often used in coronations and big celebrations. While people still debate the name’s origin, many say it comes from the Greek word dianthus, meaning “flower of the gods.” Snowdrops, on the other hand, are the brave little flowers that bloom through winter’s frost. (European folklore loves them for this.) Also, one Christian story even claims an angel turned snowflakes into snowdrops as a hopeful gift for Adam and Eve.

February: Violet, Iris

Back in Ancient Greek times, violets were ambassadors of love and fertility — they even made their way into love potions because of their cute heart-shaped petals. Fast forward to the Victorian era, and they kept the love theme alive in art and literature. Irises, on the other hand, get their name from Iris, the Greek goddess who connected gods and humans with her rainbow. These blooms also had a special connection in Ancient Egypt, where they symbolized a link between the mortal and divine worlds.

March: Daffodil, Jonquil

Daffodils get their name from Narcissus (the flower’s genus), son of the river god Cephissus in Greek mythology, who was so obsessed with his own reflection that he literally drowned while enamored, staring at it. According to the tale, a daffodil bloomed right where he fell. In Welsh folklore, spotting the first daffodil of spring is said to bring good luck and prosperity for the whole year. Jonquils, a special type of Narcissus, take things in a more traditionally romantic direction, with multiple blooms on one stem and a deeper connection to love.

April: Daisy, Sweet Pea

Daisies get their name from the Old English “day’s eye,” and in mythology, they’re sacred to Freyja, the Norse goddess of love and fertility. Some people even think daisies are ancient — like, really ancient — since they’ve been spotted in stone carvings from thousands of years ago. As for sweet peas, they were introduced to Europe in the 1600s by Franciscus Cupani, a Sicilian monk. The French later made them a must-have wedding flower, gifting them to brides as a symbol of good luck in their marriage.

May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn

In Greek mythology, Apollo laid down Lily of the Valley like a floral red carpet so nymphs could walk without hurting their feet. In Christian tradition, these delicate blooms are said to have sprouted from Mary’s tears at Jesus’ crucifixion — or, in another version, from Eve’s tears as she departed the Garden of Eden with Adam. Hawthorn, meanwhile, was a big deal in Celtic culture, notably during Beltane, when it was a decorative bloom. People believed it had ties to the fairy realm, which meant it offered mortals magical protection.

June: Rose, Honeysuckle

Roses have been the ultimate love symbol for ages — Cleopatra even filled entire rooms with them to impress Antony. People have been growing and caring for roses for thousands of years, with cultivation tracing back to ancient China. Honeysuckle, which literally means “honey suck” in Middle English (pretty fitting, right?), was seen as a sign of happiness by the Druids. In European folklore, it was believed to bring good luck and offer protection.

July: Larkspur, Water Lily

Fun fact: the name delphinium (also called larkspur) is derived from the Greek word meaning dolphin because its flowers look like little dolphin noses. Some Greek myths even tie them to a blue-blooded dragon or the legendary Battle of Troy. Pretty water lilies, on the other hand, were linked to the Egyptian sun god Ra, while Greek mythology connected them to water nymphs. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the water lily — also known as the lotus — is a major symbol of enlightenment.

August: Gladiolus, Poppy

Gladiolus, also known as sword lilies, weren’t just for decoration back in Ancient Rome; gladiators would wear them around their necks for good luck in the arena. If they won, the crowd would shower them with these blossoms as symbols of bravery in battle. Meanwhile, poppies had deep meanings in Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, representing sleep and resurrection. Today, they’re the flowers of remembrance, honoring those who lost their lives in battle.

September: Aster, Morning Glory

If you think asters look like tiny stars, you’re not wrong — their name actually comes from the Greek word for “star.” Some legends even claim they were created from stardust that fell to Earth, while others say they bloomed from tears of the Greek goddess Astraea. Morning glories, meanwhile, were sacred in Ancient Egypt, symbolizing rebirth, which is why they’re often found on sarcophagi. The Aztecs and Mayans also loved them, believing they had supernatural powers and using them in ceremonies.

October: Marigold, Cosmo

Marigolds are a big deal in Mexican and Central American traditions, especially during Día de los Muertos, when they’re used to honor loved ones. When they made their way to India, marigolds became just as important, showing up in Diwali celebrations, weddings, and religious festivals. Cosmos, on the other hand, are all about symmetry; their petals are perfectly arranged. It’s no surprise, then, that their name actually comes from the Greek word kosmos, which means order and world. Some even believe their balanced petals reflect the harmony of the entire universe.

November: Chrysanthemums, Peony

Chrysanthemums are often called “The Queen of Fall Flowers,” and their name comes from the Greek words chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower). Meanwhile, peonies have a dramatic backstory packed with jealousy, anger, and magical transformations. One myth says the nymph Paeonia was turned into a peony by a jealous Aphrodite. Another version has Zeus stepping in to save the healer Paeon from his envious mentor, Asclepius, by turning him into a peony.

December: Holly, Narcissus

In Celtic lore, the Holly tree was all about protection, fertility, and everlasting life. The Druids considered it sacred, using it in rituals and even wearing it as wreaths for good luck — long before it became a Christmas classic. As for Narcissus, you probably know his story — he was so obsessed with his own reflection that he quite simply died while staring at it. A bunch of yellow narcissus flowers bloomed where he had died.

Now that you’re basically a birth flower expert, why not put that knowledge to good use? Find the perfect birthday bouquet at Allan’s Flowers and give a gift that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful.