What are Birth Flowers?Â
A cultural tradition known as “birth flowers,” sometimes known as “birth month flowers,” is one in which a different flower is traditionally associated with each of the twelve months of the year (hence the name “birth flowers”). People who were born in the corresponding months are honored with these natural signs and symbols. The links between these flowers and their respective cultures have deep historical and cultural origins. Each kind of flower is associated with a unique collection of characteristics, emotions, and meanings.
The custom of presenting individuals who were born in certain months with a flower known as their “birth flower” is a method to make birthdays and other significant celebrations more thoughtfully personal. There are some types of flowers that have special significance for persons who were born in certain months. The presents, bouquets, and flower arrangements all have an additional layer of significance and symbolism as a result of this. Celebrations with these birth flowers are common ways for people to express how they are feeling, convey their best wishes, and pay tribute to the unique qualities that are traditionally linked with the flowers. This tradition lends more significance to the occasion by forging a closer connection between the person who bestows the gift, the one who is the recipient of that present, and the natural world, which is reflected in the carefully selected plant emblems.
Here in this article, we will discuss the different Birth flowers in the month of December/ Birth month flowers in December. So without wasting our time let’s move to the topic.
December Birth Flowers
Holly and Paperwhite are the two main December Birth flowers. In spite of the fact that holly and paperwhite narcissus are not related to one another in any way, shape, or form, both of these plants have been identified with the winter holiday season and the festivities that are associated with it. For its immense popularity of Holly and Paperwhite narcissus, the winter holiday season is almost instantly connected with these two plants. Holly is the plant that is most usually associated with Christmas, while paperwhite narcissus is the plant that is most commonly associated with New Year’s.
Holly is the plant that is most commonly associated with Christmas. It is the plant that is most often thought of in connection with wintertime celebrations. The arrival of the winter months lends a shade of color to each of them, and the vast history of symbolism that is linked with each of them lends them importance that extends well beyond just being beautiful decorations. By obtaining a deeper comprehension of the holly and the paperwhite, you’ll be in a better position to investigate the many opportunities that are available to you.
December Birth Flowers
1. The Holly
Hollies are in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the genus Ilex is their name. There are more than 400 species, and some of them are trees that can grow to be more than 50 feet tall. A lot of species have shiny green leaves with teeth or jagged tips. The holly is native to North America, China, Japan, Europe, and North Africa. It is one of the few bright spots you can find outside in cold weather in the winter. Hollies are dioecious, which means you need both a male and a female plant to get the red berries. The berries can also be white, yellow, black, or pink. Berries are only made by the female types.
Holly, which is the flower for December, is linked to the idea of wanting happiness in the home, which makes it a great choice for both gifts and holiday decorations. Even though it is thought to have good traits, people from all over the world have used it to protect themselves from evil forces for thousands of years. This has always been the case, whether sprigs were given as gifts or branches were used as walking sticks.
Holly Flowers Speciality
Holly comes in a variety of forms, the most common of which being the winterberry holly and the English holly, amongst others. The evergreen shrub known as winterberry may grow to be as tall as 15 feet in certain cases. It is usually grown for its berries, which are grown because they are so appealing and suited for use as a birth flower in December, despite the fact that the foliage of the plant is rather lovely. If you want to plant winterberry, which is also known as black alder, it is ideal to do so in a location that has sufficient light and moisture. Additionally, the winterberry plant has to be kept cool. Although it is feasible for it to flourish in low light, the berries will have the most taste when they are exposed to direct sunlight.
How to Grow Holly Bushes
English holly exemplifies the classic look of evergreens that are employed in the sector that deals with holiday decoration. Its prickly green leaves and rich red berries give it a distinctive appearance. Because they have an innate ability to withstand the browsing of deer, they are an excellent option for usage as a shrub in a garden.
If you want to grow English holly in your yard, you should plant the bushes in soil that is somewhat acidic and has excellent drainage. This will allow the holly to thrive in your yard. Planting should ideally take place in the spring or fall so that the seeds have sufficient time to germinate and get established before the onset of winter weather in December. It is important to prune the plant on a regular basis, provide fertilizer to the soil once a year, and cover the soil with a layer of mulch in order to keep the plant in good condition.
Holly in History
A custom that goes back generations, putting holly in Christmas decorations is something that people really love. In the 1800s, the Duke of Argyll in Scotland moved a road to protect a holly tree that was hundreds of years old. This showed a lot of respect for the tree. This custom spread to Delaware, USA, in 1939, when American Holly was named the state tree of that state. Hollywood is used for more than just its spiritual meaning. It is used to make chess boards and whip handles for horses that are used for pulling or plowing. American holly and English holly are the two most common types of holly used for holiday decorations. They bring holiday cheer to homes and other places in the winter.
2. The Narcissus (Paperwhite)
Narcissus are a type of flower in the family Amaryllidaceae. The most well-known plant in this group is the daffodil. This group of plants blooms mostly in the spring. Narcissus used to only grow in the Mediterranean, but now it can be found in North America, Asia, Europe, and other places. A paperwhite plant might have up to a dozen pretty white flowers.
The Narcissus, which is also called the “Paperwhite,” is a pretty flowering plant that smells nice. A lot of people choose it for planting inside and outside, especially in the winter. The Paperwhite Narcissus adds a bit of class to fields and flower arrangements with its pretty white flowers and sweet smell. In December, these flowers are often thought of as a sign of hope, rebirth, and the start of something new during the holidays. The Paperwhite’s ability to grow even in the worst winter conditions is a sign of how strong people are and how they can get through hard times. There is beauty and hope in the Paperwhite Narcissus, whether it is grown in a pot on a balcony or as part of a holiday bouquet.
Narcissus Meanings and Symbolism
The sad story of Narcissus comes from Greek mythology. It’s about a young man who fell in love with his own image and died. The Paperwhite type gets its name from its petals that are as thin as paper. It’s a sign of purity, loyalty, and respect, but some people think it also means being self-centered. In Victorian times, giving someone a narcissus flower meant “you are the only one,” while giving someone a bunch of Paperwhites meant “pure and unconditional love.”
Narcissus in History
The fact that they are the most common and oldest kind of Narcissus, paperwhites are considered to be one of the most well-known growing bulbs in the whole globe. Due to the fact that it may bloom during the coldest months of the year, the paperwhite is frequently associated with the Chinese New Year. Because of its powerful aroma, paperwhites have been included in many fragrances throughout history. However, the paperwhite is poisonous all the way through, with the bulb being the most lethal part of the plant.
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What is the meaning of December’s birth flower?
The month of December is represented by the narcissus as its birth flower. To be more specific, the varieties of narcissus that are thought to be acceptable are the Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) and the Holly Narcissus (Narcissus lutescens). It is a common tradition to associate individuals with birthdays in December with one of the following flowers, each of which has its own distinct interpretation of the symbolic meaning:
Hope
Hope is commonly represented with narcissus flowers, which are generally considered a sign of fresh beginnings as well. As a result of this connection, they are especially appropriate for the month of December, which is the last month of one year and the first month of the next. The appearance of narcissus flowers in winter is symbolic not only of the coming of spring but also of the beginning of a new cycle.
Renewal and Rebirth
The narcissus flower is symbolic of renewal and rebirth because of its capacity to blossom even in the harshest of winter circumstances. Narcissus flowers are recognized for their ability to push through the snow and cold to bring out their lovely blooms. This kind of toughness is sometimes seen as a symbol of the capacity of the human spirit to triumph over hardship and begin again.
Narcissus Mythology
Mythology Relating to Narcissus In Greek mythology, the narcissus is linked to the tale of Narcissus, a handsome young man who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and was finally transformed into the flower that bears his name. This tale provides more nuance to the symbolism of the flower, which is representative of both self-love and self-discovery.
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