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A guide to birth gems and flowers for each monthA birthstone and a birth flower mean that a particular gemstone and flower are assigned to each month of the year. Whether you believe in the properties that are traditionally associated with birthstones or birth flowers or not, it certainly makes for interesting reading.
Just as people who believe in astrology associate certain traits and characteristics with the month in which your bub is born, the same occurs with the stones and flowers. Historically these stones and flowers are believed by some to have special characteristics or properties that will help the individual born in that particular month.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in these representations, a birthstone or birth flowers can be a lovely symbolic gift to parents of a newborn, or as a gift as bub grows up.
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Chart of birthstonesTraditionally these stones are believed to contain various properties for the wearer. Regardless of your beliefs about their effectiveness, they certainly make a pretty addition to a jewellery collection.
Month Appearance Properties
January • Believed to protect from nightmares.
• Helps heart, lungs
• Supports romance
February • Symbol of protection
• Helps to reduce arthritis, pain and general illnesses.
March • Connected with courage, creativity, perception, hope and self-expression.
April • Supports the strength of the wearer
• Eternal and true love, strength and romance.
May • Traditionally believed to cure illnesses and alleged to have magical properties.
June • Meant to calm the wearer.
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Month Appearance Properties
July • Supports the emotional state of the wearer.
August • Intended to heal stress and reduce anger for the wearer.
September • Supports in reducing pain
• Develops the personal expression of the wearer.
October • Meant to have healing and restoring properties.
November • Called ‘stone of the mind’ because of its help with intellectual use.
• Removes negative energy.
December • Associated with many healing properties including helping with poor health.
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A guide to birth flowersThe history of many of these flowers can date back millions of years. Many of them have been used for a variety of purposes throughout history ranging from medicinal to religious purposes.
Birth flowers month Appearance History
January The carnation has a 2000 year old history and originates from Asia.
Their multi-layered petals symbolise their strength.
February The violet flower’s story extends back to Greek mythology. It has ties to Christianity and is also a symbol of royalty.
March The daffodil was recorded in 300 BC by a Greek scholar called Theophrastus. It is native to the Mediterranean region but was brought to Britain by the Romans and remains a very popular flower.
April The daisy was first discovered in 1884 in South Africa but is believed to have originated 4000 years ago.
It was used for breeding with various flowers in the UK afterwards and has become a very popular garden flower.
May The lily is native to Europe. It was referenced during Biblical times.
Its white and delicate appearance makes it a popular flower for weddings and religious occasions.
June The rose originated about 35 million years ago with a rose fossil from Colorado dating its origin to then.
It comes in a variety of colours and sizes and is appreciated for its beauty and scent.
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Birth flowers month Appearance History
July The delphinium is a native of the Northern Hemisphere. Its origin dates back to the Battle of Troy in ancient Greek times.
Its many properties mean it has historically been used to treat everything from head lice to toothache.
August The gladiolus was bought to Europe in the 18th century and since then has been cultivated widely.
Its alleged healing properties meant that during its early arrival it was used for removing thorns and splinters.
September With over 600 species of Aster this flower can be found throughout the world.
It was first referenced in Greek mythology and its lovely appearance makes it popular in bouquets.
October The marigold’s history dates back to ancient times and has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history.
This edible flower means it is often added to salads but can also act as an insect repellent because of its distinctive scent.
November Originating in Asia, the chrysanthemum was referenced as far back as the Song Dynasty in China in 960.
Its diverse appearance makes it the most popular flower second only to roses.
December The popularity of holly dates back to Pagan Roman times.
The plant has been claimed by both Christian and other faiths as a symbol for them even today.
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History of birthstonesThe origin of the birthstone dates back to Biblical times where gemstones are referenced in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
The first reference was when a sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest for the Israelites contained twelve jewels in the breastplate that were to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. According to the Biblical description, each gemstone was made from specific minerals, each was unique and each represented a specific tribe, and their name was inscribed on the stone. It has been argued by some that this particular event is not related to the eventual emergence of the significance of the birthstone itself. However, the connection between a certain gem and its connection to a specific group seems to have begun here.
In addition, according to the 1500-year-old Indian Aruveydic philosophy, there is a belief that every person is allocated a birthstone that relates to his or her nature. The same tradition dating back over 1000 years also occurs in Tibet, where the importance of the birthstone is also held in high regard.
During the first century, Flavius Josephus, a first-century Romano-Jewish scholar, made the connection between specific gemstones and signs of the zodiac. According to him, if you wore the right stone for that particular month it would give access to special healing or magical powers. In those days you were meant to have all of the stones, which would have made it a fairly expensive exercise!
In relatively more modern times, the arrival of gem traders in Poland transformed the role of gemstones in the 1700’s. They sold the notion to consumers that it was good luck to wear your particular birthstone.
In 1870 the famous store Tiffany & Co published a series of Gregorian Birthstone poems that played a key role in associating specific qualities with the gemstones. Many of the poems certainly have a slightly scare-mongering tone implying that the person from that particular month needed to wear that stone or they would either die alone or face great troubles. However, it was from here that the significance of a gemstone really embedded itself in many cultures and traditions.
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By her who in January was born
No gem save Garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the Amethyst will wear.
By her who in March was born
No gem save Bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring’s sweet, flower month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.
By her who in June was born
No gem save Pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.
The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they’ll be exempt and free,
From lover’s doubts and anxiety.
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Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.
A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September‘s breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.
October‘s child is born for woe,
And life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an Opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November‘s fog and snow,
Should prize the Topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate’er you do.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems, author unknown
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A guide to birth gemsEach stone has certain qualities associated with it, which if worn are alleged to help the wearer in certain ways.
Birth flowers month Birthstone Qualities
January Garnet - A burgundy coloured gemstone
Perseverance
Faith
Truth
Consistency
February Amethyst - A semi precious gemstone ranging in colour from light lavender to a deep purple
Sincerity
Good health
Calming
Courage
March Aquamarine - Comes in a range of clear to light sea blue colours
Mental clarity
Loyalty
April Diamond -
The hardest of gemstones, comes in a variety of colours
Eternal and true love
Strength and romance
May Emerald –
Comes in a rich green hue
Happiness
Prosperity
Success
Goodness
June Pearl – A precious stone shaded in various tones of white
Purity
Charity
Truth
Success
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Birth flowers month Birthstone Qualities
July Ruby – An intense clear cherry red stone
Protects wearer from evil
Devotion
Happiness
August Peridot – A green stone which ranges from olive to lime green
Innocence
Strength
Fidelity
Faith
September Sapphire –
Typically blue and ranged from cornflower blue to almost black
Faith
Creativity
Wisdom
Serenity
October Opal – A flashing core which ranges from blue to milky white colours
Hope
Innocence
Purity
November Citrine – A reddish brown to yellow quartz stone
Stone of the mind
Success
Abundance
December Blue Topaz –
A pale to medium blue stone
Calming
Love
Fidelity
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A guide to birth flowersThe meaning associated with each particular flower can vary greatly but all the qualities associated with them are positive ones.
Birth flowers month Birth flowers Qualities
January Carnations A Friend in adversity
Devoted love
February Violet Young love
Modesty
Faithfulness
March Daffodil Devotion
Affection
Sympathy
April Daisy Farewell
Youth
Innocence
May Lily Fertility
Hope
Sweetness
June Rose Love
Affection
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Birth flowers month Birth flowers Qualities
July Delphinium Pure heart
Laughter
August Gladiolus Generosity
Natural grace
Strength of character
September Aster Affection
Symbol of love
October Marigold Joy
November Chrysanthemum Rest
Abundance
Wealth
December Holly Good wishes
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We really hope you have enjoyed our Huggies® Guide to Birthstones and Birth Flowers. You can visit our eBook library at www.huggies.com.au at anytime for many more free pregnancy, baby and parenting eBooks.
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