Birth Month Signs, Symbols, Stones

Do You Know Your Birthstone? Flower? Bird?

The year, month, and day of a person's birth is thought by many to play a significant role in shaping their character and future. Learning about the symbols and meanings associated with a birthday can be fun and interesting, especially when the time to celebrate comes around.

Most of us know each birth-month has a gemstone, but did you know that each month also has a flower and a tree? Fewer of you may know that each month has a bird as wel

Learn more about your own birth-month including its flower, tree, gemstone, bird, and associated myths. This article may also help you with gift ideas for loved ones—imagine their surprise when you know more about their birth month than they do!

A child is born on that day and at that hour when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his individual Karma.

Birth Birds by Month

January

People born in the first month enjoy being first. They are often competitive and make excellent leaders. January people enjoy their solitude. They tend to have two main challenges in life. January birthdates need to learn how to have a work/life balance. They need to silence this inner critic. January birthdays are often open and accepting of others but can be incredibly critical of themselves. People born in January are happiest when they can work on their own. They make wonderful entrepreneurs. They tend to release stress through exercise and time spent alone.

January

Those born in the first month of the year have garnet as their birthstone. Garnets are often deep red but can come in many colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, blue, black, pink, and even colorless/clear.

In legend, garnets are called "the stone of constancy" and are said to stop hemorrhaging, cure inflammatory diseases, and resolve anger and discord. They are also believed to balance yin and yang energies. When placed under the pillow, garnets are also thought to ward off bad dreams and evil spirits.

One of January's birth flowers is the snowdrop. Snowdrops are among the first flowers to appear in January, so they symbolize the hope of new life. They sometimes even appear before snow has melted. Consider a gift of jewelry that features this beautiful flower, a garnet, or both.

Some pendants honor the most loved of Celtic goddesses, Brighid, who was adopted by Celtic Christians as St. Brighid. Her feast is called Imbolc—the Festival of Lights—and later became known as Candlemass. Those born under Imbolc possess the beauty and purity of the winter, symbolized by the flowering Snowdrop.

Think twice about cutting snowdrops for a bouquet, though! Some say it is bad luck to pick them and bring them indoors. A single snowdrop in the house is seen as an omen of death because the petals resemble a shroud. It is said that young girls who pick them before Valentine's Day will not marry that year.

January's Birth-Trees

Cypress trees represent sacrifice and are associated with Hades, the god of the underworld.

February

The month of love is perfect for those born in February. If your birthdate falls here, you are loving, kind and gentle. You love being around friends and family. In love, you’re committed and devoted. Your main challenge is learning to overcome your sensitivity and see it as a gift not a weakness. It’s important for you to learn how to voice your needs before getting upset that they aren’t met. February birthdates need to learn how to communicate their needs and wants. Living a life of balance is important to them. Having a steady job, a committed relationship and a fairly routine schedule are important for you. February birthers tend to release stress by spending time with family. Because February is a time of winter and going within, studying esoterics and learning all you can about yourself, your intuition and your beliefs will be important to your happiness.

February

February's birth flower is the violet. In Christian tradition, violets stand for the virtues of humility and humble modesty. Several legends tell of violets springing up on the graves of virgins and saints. Folk traditions tell us that dreams about violets signify advancement in life. Garlands of violets worn around the head are thought to prevent dizziness. Here are some additional folk-wisdom theories about violets:

• They are considered a good-luck gift for a woman during any season.
• When violets bloom in autumn, epidemics will follow within the year.
• Romans decorated banquet tables with violets in hopes that the flowers would prevent drunkenness. They used violet wreaths to relieve hangovers and drank a wine made from violet blossoms. Romans also placed violets on the graves of small children.
• According to one legend, Venus made violets blue in a fit of rage. She was debating with her son Cupid as to which was more beautiful, herself or a bevy of girls. Cupid, with no fear of his mother, declared the girls to be more beautiful. This sent Venus into such a rage that she beat her rivals until they turned into blue violets.

February's birthstone is amethyst. Amethyst crystals are said to reduce mental tension, induce pleasant dreams, prevent over-indulgence, help with breaking bad habits, and encourage transformation. The ancient Greeks believed that amethysts protected against drunkenness and passion. The stone's name comes from the Greek word amethystos, which translates to "not drunken."

February's Birth Trees

Pine trees symbolize creativity, longevity, and immortality.

March

March can be an up and down month. One day it’s sunny, the birds are singing and we see the first shoots of spring flowers. But the next day it’s raining, overcast and all we can see is dirty, melted snow. People born in March can be a lot like this. One day, they feel on top of the world, the next they are moping about. March birthdates are kind, sensitive and very creative. When they want to, they can be very funny and entertaining. They can be the life of the party and excel at making connections, uplifting and counseling others. People born in March are here to learn how to harness their emotions and gain control over their pensive moods. March birthers often resist growing up and will give their power away too easily in order to feel protected and taken care of. Once they learn to accept responsibility for their life, their emotions and their feelings, they will find inner peace. People born in March release stress through creative pursuits. Laughing, journaling, cooking – anything creative – will help them release stress. They make excellent writers, entertainers, comedians, counselors and therapists.

March

March's birth flower, the daffodil, signifies respect, regard, and unrequited love. It is one of the first flowers of spring, so it is also considered a symbol of rebirth. Here are some additional folk-wisdom theories about daffodils:

• Avoid taking a single daffodil into the house, as it will bring bad luck. Always collect a bunch to ensure happiness.
• In Wales, finding the first daffodil of spring bodes well for bringing more gold than silver into your life and home.

March's birthstone is aquamarine, which represents purification and has the power to lift the spirits and calm the nerves.

March's Birth Trees

Hazelnut trees symbolize hidden wisdom, dousing, and divination.

April

We’ve all heard the phrase, “April showers bring May flowers.” The time of April is a time of planting and preparing the soil for spring. Similarly, people born in April are grounded, practical people who live a life of balance. April birth dates also share a love of learning. They make excellent teachers. Having a home, a place to put down roots, is important to them. Maintaining a beautiful home is important to them. April birthers care about their appearance and their home not out of vain, egotistical reasons but out of a need for beauty, balance and continuity. Fours are happiest when they’re learning or teaching something new. Working on household projects is a great stress reliever. The challenge for those born is April is flexibility. Because they have this need for structure, they can be stubborn. People born in April never think they’re right; they know they’re right! Overcoming this bullish tendency helps them grow, open up and learn to see others’ points of view.

 

April

April's birthstone is diamond, which is a traditional symbol of love according to the ancient Greeks. Diamonds symbolize peace, fidelity, innocence, and serenity. It was once believed that diamonds endowed the wearer with charm and the ability to attract others.

April's flower is the daisy. Daisies are said to have sprung from Mary Magdalene's tears as she washed Jesus' feet. The flowers open and close with the sun's rays, giving them the ancient Anglo-Saxon name, "day's eye," which later morphed into their modern name.

In magic, a daisy is used in fair-weather spells or rites to honor the sun. The daisy was associated with Venus and is commonly used in a lover's divination that involves plucking the petals while chanting "s/he loves me, s/he loves me not." Medieval knights wore daisy chains made for them by their ladies when they rode into battle or tournaments as a sign of affection.

April's Birth Trees

Maple trees symbolize balance, promise, and practicality.

May

The month of May is a time of new beginnings. It’s the most popular month for weddings. Many take their first vacation of the year in May. It’s a time when everything is growing and blossoming. People feel abundant, happy and ready for anything in May. People born during this time are similarly filled with hope and optimism. May birthers are open to change, spontaneity and fun. They love change and tend to detest being chained to a desk. People born in May need a job that gives them flexibility over their schedule. They release stress easily by traveling and saying yes to spontaneous fun. They make excellent detectives as they always need to get to the heart of issues. People born in May hate being kept in the dark. You can’t keep a secret from them. Their challenge is learning to accept their need for change and adventure while also working at a creating a life of stability. Fives will often avoid work in their effort to focus on fun, but once they learn to create a career that fulfills their need for change and flexibility, they will be at peace. People born in May make excellent travel agents, entertainers, detectives, police officers, lawyers and psychologists.

May

May's birthstone is emerald. When worn or carried, emeralds strengthen love, intelligence, eloquence, and popularity. The emerald is an especially lucky stone for expectant mothers; pregnant women in ancient Egyptian women made a practice of wearing them. Here are some additional folk-wisdom theories about emeralds:

• When worn in a ring, emeralds warn the wearer against poisons, strengthen the memory, protect against demonic possession, and ensure success in love.
• When worn by travelers, emeralds bring good luck and are known to calm storms at sea.

One of May's birth flowers is the hawthorn. Hawthorns symbolize hope because they signal the return of spring. Maypoles used to be made of hawthorn. Sometimes they are called "Fairy Thorn," because they are believed to be haunted by fairies. In Devon, England, it is unlucky to sit under a hawthorn because the fairies might cast a spell on you. However, it is thought that if you hang hawthorn outside a cowshed, the cows will give lots of milk. Early Christians associated hawthorn with Joseph of Arimathea, the owner of Christ's tomb. Medieval legends say he traveled to England and planted a hawthorn staff in the ground at Glastonbury. The staff sprouted to produce a "holy thorn" said to bloom on Christmas Day.

May's bird is the nightingale, and another of May's flowers is the lily of the valley. One legend tells of a lily of the valley who loved a nightingale. Because she was so shy, however, she hid in the long grass to listen to his song. The nightingale became lonely and said he would no longer sing unless the lily of the valley bloomed every May for all to see.

May's Birth Trees

The seeds of the ash tree are used in love divination. If seeds do not appear on a tree, the tree's owner may be unlucky in love or fail in a venture.

June

By the time it’s fully summer, we think of spending time with family. This is the season of picking blueberries and making strawberry jam. It ushers in the lazy days of summer where we travel to visit grandparents and reconnect with friends and family. People born in June are the mothers and fathers of their peers. They’re connected to family and make excellent parents. People feel comfortable telling them their life stories. June birthdates will often experience people confessing to them as others sense their nurturing energy. June birthers are natural entrepreneurs. They make excellent bosses and leaders. They’re hard working and often have a healthy work/life balance. Their challenge is to release their need to control situations. Because of their natural leadership abilities, they tend to feel that things will go well only if they’re controlling every aspect. June birthdates are often taken advantage of for their kind nature and have a tendency to fall into co-dependent relationships. For this reason, they’re also challenged with setting firm, healthy boundaries in their relationships. Just because they can do it all doesn’t mean they have to.

June

One of June's flowers is the rose. According to Greek mythology, the rose was created by Chloris, the goddess of flowers. One day, Chloris found the lifeless body of a nymph in the woods and turned her body into a flower. She called upon Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Dionysus, the god of wine. Aphrodite gave the new flower a gift of beauty and Dionysus added nectar to endow it with a sweet fragrance. Zephyrus, god of the west wind, blew the clouds away so that Apollo, the sun god, could shine and make the flower bloom. That is how the rose was created and crowned the "queen of flowers."

One of June's birthstones is pearl, which represents wisdom through experience. It is said to facilitate engagements and loving relationships. Pearls are used as love and healing charms and are said to protect against fire and ward off evil.

June's Birth Trees

Native to the Mediterranean region, the fig tree appears in some images of the Garden of Eden. After eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve covered their nakedness with fig leaves.

July

People born during the month of July are smart, spiritual, and independent. They have a love of nature and need to spend time alone outside in order to recharge their batteries. Their keen mind needs solitary pursuits so they can process deep thoughts. Their sensitive nature is easily overwhelmed by big thoughts of life and death. Their biggest challenge is learning to create a faith based life that makes spiritual and intellectual sense to them. They enjoy mysteries, puzzles and problem solving. Music helps them escape their overthinking mind. July birthdates are seekers. They must be seeking answers and puzzling out issues in their life to make sense of their purpose. They are original thinkers and need to accept their way of thinking and beliefs in order to find inner peace.

July's birthstone is ruby. Rubies symbolize success, devotion, and integrity. Ancient lore tells us that rubies are capable of reconciling lovers' quarrels. Here are some additional folk-wisdom theories about rubies:

• A ruby engagement ring expresses passion and promise. It brings peace of mind, stimulates sexuality, removes evil and impure thoughts, banishes sorrow, and prevents nightmares.
• A heart-shaped ruby attracts love when worn over the heart in a red velvet bag filled with seashells.

One of July's birth flowers is the waterlily, which symbolizes purity of heart.

July's Birth Trees

Elm trees symbolize strength of will and intuition.

August

Those born during the month of August are hard-working, determined, and strong. They make excellent bosses and CEOs. August birth dates can be stubborn and tend to learn their lessons the hard way. For this reason, they can experience dramatic ups and downs in life. Their challenge is to learn how to overcome their workaholic nature and accept themselves as they are. They do not enjoy taking advice from others preferring instead to lead the way for themselves. Because of their hard work ethic, they can be very successful. August birth dates release stress through checking off to-do lists and exercising. They are honest people and demand honesty from those around them. The surest way to offend an August birth date is to lie. They can see right through it and will lose all respect and trust for the offending person. Like those born in January, August birthers can be very self-critical. Simply repeating the affirmation “I do enough. I have enough. I am enough” can be very helpful.

August

One August birthstone is peridot. Peridot crystals help the bearer develop inner vision and the ability to look into the future, overcome jealous thoughts, and counteract negative emotions.

One of August's flowers is the gladiolus. Gladiolus flowers represent preparedness, strength, splendid beauty, and love at first sight. The gladiolus is named for the shape of its leaves, which appear like a "gladius" or sword. The gladiolus is said to have symbolized the Roman gladiators.

Another of August's flowers is the poppy. A type of poppy native to the Mediterranean region yields a substance called opium, a drug that was used in the ancient world to ease pain and aid sleep. The ancient Greeks associated poppies with both Hypnos, the god of sleep, and Morpheus, the god of dreams. Morphine, a drug made from opium, derives its name from Morpheus.

August's Birth Trees

Pine trees symbolize creativity, longevity, and immortality.

September

When we get to September, we see the ending of one season and the beginning of another. Similarly, those born in September are here to learn about transitions, change and transformation. They are spiritual and share a love of helping others. They are doers. They are the leaders of a group and only need to be shown how to do something one time, and then they are ready to work. Because of this, they need to be careful to find balance in their life. September birthers tend to give too much of themselves and need to learn how to ask for help. Their challenge is learning how to give back while also learning how to give and receive for themselves. September birth date are happiest when their job has meaning. If they feel their career is just for a paycheck, this will bring them much distress. Volunteering is a great way for a September birthdate to release stress and feel happy.

September

One of September's flowers is the aster, which symbolizes charm, patience, daintiness, love of variety, elegance, memories, and love. The name Aster comes from the Greek word for star. In ancient times, it was believed that burning aster leaves would drive away evil snakes. Asters are closely related to chrysanthemums, and both are considered classic autumn flowers.

Another September flower is the morning glory. The symbolic meaning of this flower is affection. As the name implies, morning glory flowers open in the morning. The flower typically lasts for a single morning then dies in the afternoon. New flowers bloom each day.

September's birthstone is sapphire. Sapphires are used to treat mental illness and calm the nerves. Sapphires symbolize sincerity, harmony, peace, and faithfulness. It is an excellent choice for an engagement ring. A sapphire given by a man to his wife on their wedding day provides insurance for a happy marriage. It assures constancy among lovers.

September's Birth Trees

The heart-shaped leaves of lime trees are thought to symbolize fidelity, justice, and love

October

Just when we’re getting ready to celebrate fall and all things spooky, we come to October. People born during this month are mysterious, intuitive and creative. They share a love for the arts and have an appreciation for beauty. October birthdates enjoy their alone time but need time with friends and family just as much. It’s all about balance for these people. They need to give equal time to the dual sides of their nature. Having a beautiful home and lovely clothes is important for the Octobers. They are happiest when their work is adding beauty and creativity to the world. October birthdates make excellent designers, teachers, stylists, politicians, lawyers and entertainers. The challenge for the October birthdate is to learn how to let go of perfection. Many October borns will chase the illusion of perfection until they give up in frustration. As soon as they learn that perfection is far from perfect, they will find inner peace.

October

One of October's birthstones is Opal. Opals bring passion and love and stimulate emotional expression. Opals are the national gemstone of Australia, where most of the world's supply is found. The mineral's name is derived from the Sanskrit word úpala. In the Middle Ages, opals were considered lucky and were thought to possess the virtues of all other gemstones whose colors are represented in their broad spectrum. They were also believed to confer the power of invisibility if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf and held in the hand.

Another one of October's gems is tourmaline. Ancient legend says that tourmaline is found in all colors because it traveled along a rainbow and gathered each of its component hues. Tourmaline is believed to strengthen the body and spirit—especially the nervous and lymph systems and the blood. It is also thought to inspire creativity and has been used extensively as a talisman by artists and writers throughout the ages.

One of October's flowers is the calendula, which symbolizes grief, despair, and sorrow. Calendula flowers are considered sacred in India and have been used to decorate statues of Hindu deities since early times.

October's Birth Trees

Rowan trees protect against enchantment. Sticks of rowan were used in the art of metal divining. Rowan sprays and crosses were placed over cattle pens and homes to protect them

November

As we come to November, the trees have lost their leaves and flowers have returned to the deep, dark soil to await spring. People born in the month of November also tend to be tucked away. They love their privacy and covet their secrets. November birthers tend to have only one or two close friends and many acquaintances. But there are only a few people who they let in. In love, they can be committed and loving provided they are given adequate space. They cannot partner with someone who is nagging or needy in any way. They excel in careers where they can be left to their own devices. They do well in careers of authority such as teaching, law enforcement, and the military. They can be driven when they’re passionate about something. They will work hard and are focused, determined people. Their challenge is learning to trust others and open their hearts to let more people in.

November

November's flower is the chrysanthemum, which symbolizes compassion, friendship, and secret love. The chrysanthemum is one of the most honored flowers in Asia. In Japan, chrysanthemums are called "kikus" and are exchanged between friends as a symbol of the virtue and the incomparable value of friendship.

One of November's gems is citrine. Citrine is known as the stone of wealth. It is believed to promote happiness and to be useful against depression. It symbolizes hope, youth, health, wealth, and fidelity.

November's Birth Trees

Ash trees are thought to symbolize health, strength, and rebirth.

December

The month of many holidays is a time of celebration. People born during this time tend to be happy as well. They are kind, altruistic and loving. December birthers are close to their family but enjoy their independence. As young adults, they are the first to move away from home but will always return for visits and keep in close contact with their loved ones. They tend to form deep, long lasting bonds with friends. They can be wild and fun but are also serious and focused. “Work hard; play hard” is their motto. In love, they take their time to settle down but once they do, they are committed and focused on the long haul.

They make dedicated parents and are excellent team players making them a good employee and boss. The challenge of the December birthdate is to learn how to slow down and smell the roses. They tend to drive themselves hard – even when they’re having fun. When they relax a bit with their natural competitive nature, they will realize that the journey, not the destination, is where all the fun is.

December

One of December's flowers is the Narcissus. The Narcissus flower symbolizes self-love and vanity. The flower's name is derived from Greek mythology and the tale of the beautiful Narcissus. When Narcissus ignored the lovely nymph, Echo, he was punished by falling in love with his own reflection in a pool. Caught up in self-adoration, Narcissus died. In the spot where he had sat gazing yearningly into the water, there appeared a flower that the nymphs named Narcissus. It became a symbol of selfishness and coldheartedness.

Holly, another December plant, was revered by the Druids for its shiny leaves and red berries. Holly stays green in winter, keeping the earth beautiful after the sacred oak has lost its leaves. Holly was the sacred plant of Saturn and was used at the Roman Saturnalia festival to honor him. Romans gave one another holly wreaths and carried them about to decorate images of Saturn.

December's gem, turquoise, is considered lucky when worn, especially when it is hand-carved. It is believed to protect against evil influences. Carry a piece of turquoise in a blue charm bag on a Wednesday for good luck. A carved piece of turquoise brings good fortune into the house. It is often used as an evil eye counter-charm. Turquoise also protects against poisonous bites, blindness, assassination, and accidental death, and absorbs negative feelings. Turquoise possesses a strong healing vibration.

December's Birth Trees

Apple trees are ripe with meaning in almost every culture. They can signify wisdom, joy, fertility, temptation, peace, love, masculinity, and youthfulness. Europeans considered the apple to be a "life-tree" symbol for boys.