A guide to birth gems and flowers for each month

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2 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. page 2

3 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. page 3

4 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. page 4

5 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. page 5

6 Birth flowers month Appearance History July August September October November December 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. page 6

7 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. page 7

8 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. page 8

9 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 page 9

10 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 February March Garnet - A burgundy coloured gemstone Amethyst - A semi precious gemstone ranging in colour from light lavender to a deep purple Aquamarine - Comes in a range of clear to light sea blue colours Perseverance Faith Truth Consistency Sincerity Good health Calming Courage Mental clarity Loyalty April Diamond - The hardest of gemstones, comes in a variety of colours May Emerald Comes in a rich green hue Eternal and true love Strength and romance Happiness Prosperity Success June Pearl A precious stone shaded in various tones of white Goodness Purity Charity Truth Success page 10

11 Birth flowers month Birthstone Qualities July August Ruby An intense clear cherry red stone Peridot A green stone which ranges from olive to lime green Protects wearer from evil Devotion Happiness Innocence Strength Fidelity Faith September Sapphire Typically blue and ranged from cornflower blue to almost black Faith Creativity Wisdom Serenity October November Opal A flashing core which ranges from blue to milky white colours Citrine A reddish brown to yellow quartz stone Hope Innocence Purity Stone of the mind Success Abundance December Blue Topaz A pale to medium blue stone Calming Love Fidelity page 11

12 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 page 12

13 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 page 13

14 We really hope you have enjoyed our Huggies Guide to Birthstones and Birth Flowers. You can visit our ebook library at at anytime for many more free pregnancy, baby and parenting ebooks. page 14