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 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 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 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 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 Perseverance

burgundy Faith
coloured
gemstone Truth
Consistency

February Amethyst - A Sincerity

semi precious Good health
gemstone
ranging in Calming
colour from light Courage
lavender to a
deep purple

March Aquamarine Mental clarity

- Comes in a Loyalty
range of clear
to light sea blue
colours

April Diamond - Eternal and true love

The hardest Strength and romance
of gemstones,
comes in a
variety of
colours

May Emerald – Happiness

Comes in a rich Prosperity
green hue Success
Goodness

June Pearl – A Purity

precious stone Charity
shaded in
various tones of Truth
white Success

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Birth flowers month Birthstone Qualities

July Ruby – An Protects wearer from evil

intense clear Devotion
cherry red stone
Happiness

August Peridot – A Innocence

green stone Strength
which ranges
from olive to Fidelity
lime green Faith

September Sapphire – Faith

Typically blue Creativity
and ranged Wisdom
from cornflower
blue to almost Serenity
black

October Opal – A Hope

flashing core Innocence
which ranges
from blue to Purity
milky white
colours

November Citrine – A Stone of the mind

reddish brown Success
to yellow quartz
stone Abundance

December Blue Topaz – Calming

A pale to Love
medium blue Fidelity
stone

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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
many more free pregnancy, baby and
parenting eBooks.

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