A guide to birth gems and flowers for

A guide to birth gems and flowers for
each month
A 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 birthstones
Traditionally 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
January
Appearance
Properties
• 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 flowers
The 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
January
Appearance
History
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
July
Appearance
History
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 birthstones
The 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 gems
Each 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
March
April
May
Amethyst - A
semi precious
gemstone
ranging in
colour from light
lavender to a
deep purple
Sincerity
Aquamarine
- Comes in a
range of clear
to light sea blue
colours
Mental clarity
Diamond -
Eternal and true love
The hardest
of gemstones,
comes in a
variety of
colours
Strength and romance
Emerald –
Happiness
Comes in a rich
green hue
Prosperity
Good health
Calming
Courage
Loyalty
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
Peridot – A
green stone
which ranges
from olive to
lime green
Innocence
Sapphire –
Faith
Typically blue
and ranged
from cornflower
blue to almost
black
Creativity
Opal – A
flashing core
which ranges
from blue to
milky white
colours
Hope
Citrine – A
reddish brown
to yellow quartz
stone
Stone of the mind
Blue Topaz –
Calming
A pale to
medium blue
stone
Love
August
September
October
November
December
Devotion
Happiness
Strength
Fidelity
Faith
Wisdom
Serenity
Innocence
Purity
Success
Abundance
Fidelity
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A guide to birth flowers
The 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
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