January is our coldest and darkest month. Between inclement weather and post-holiday burnout, it’s no wonder many of us don’t feel much like celebrating a loved one’s January birthday. No need to short-change them. Not when it’s super-easy to brighten their day with a simple, but meaningful bouquet of January’s birth flowers.

In This Healthy Insight:

1. What are January’s birth flowers?
2. What are the uses of carnation?
3. What does carnation symbolize?
4. What are the uses of snowdrop?
5. What does the snowdrop symbolize?
6. Famous January Birthdays
7. List of birth months and flowers

What are January’s birth flowers?

January’s birth flowers are carnation and Snowdrop.

What are the uses of carnation?

Also known as sweet william or dianthus, carnations bloom in just about every color. Despite their delicate petals, they’re quite hardy and can bloom in the winter as long as it’s not freezing.

Native to the Mediterranean, the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is often called the “flower of the gods.” It grew wild on the hillsides in Greece and dates back to ancient times when it was used in garlands and for décor. At one time it was used medicinally to treat fevers or add spice to wine. Herbalists continue to prize it for heart and nerve health.

The carnation was first imported to the United States in the 1850s where it quickly caught on. Within 20 years, more than 50 varieties were created, and it has long been a staple in the floral industry. It’s especially popular for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day since it mainly represents love and remembrance. It is also a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy and perfumes.

Carnations are also used symbolically in other parts of the world. For example, in the Netherlands, a white carnation is worn in remembrance of veterans. Bright red carnations represent the military and civil coup in Portugal in the 1970s, often referred to as the Revolution of the Carnations. Red carnations have also been worn to symbolize socialism and honor labor on International Workers’ Day on May 1.

What does carnation symbolize?

Carnations in general symbolize remembrance, love and fascination. Although initially carnations were pale pink and peach, you can now find them in just about every color: red, yellow, white, orange, purple, and green. There are even striped and frosted varieties. Different-colored carnations convey different meanings, as shown below.

Pale red – Admiration
Dark red – Deep love
White – Innocence, purity, good luck, affection
Pink – Sweet affection, a mother’s love, appreciation
Purple – Capriciousness
Yellow – Disappointment, sorrow
Striped – Regret, unwillingness

What are the uses of the snowdrop?

January’s second birth flower is the snowdrop (Galanthus). It blooms from January to March sometimes when the snow is still on the ground. Its appearance makes the winter feel less bleak and brings thoughts of spring. The snowdrop has a droopy appearance and typically grows in large patches that look like a snow-covered field.

Although the snowdrop is native to cooler grassland and mountainous regions of southern Europe, it’s since been imported and naturalized in the United States.

Snowdrop extract was used medicinally by the ancient Greeks for its affect on the mind.  It was possibly brought to Europe by monks and midwives for various conditions.

What does the snowdrop symbolize?

Snowdrop’s genus name, Galanthus, comes from the Greek words gala (milk) and anthos (flower), a reference to the flower’s pure white appearance. The snowdrop flowers symbolize rebirth, beauty and hope, fitting attributes for the first month of the year.  

The multi-purpose snowdrop can be used for sympathy to show compassion and condolence, or celebration to show hope and optimism. Because of its color, purity and innocence are also associated with the snowdrop. 

Famous January Birthdays

• Elvis Presley – January 8, 1935
• David Bowie – January 8, 1947
• Jeff Bezos – January 12, 1964
• Betty White – January 13, 1922
• Martin Luther King Jr. – January 15, 1929
• Franklin D. Roosevelt – January 22, 1882
• Virginia Woolf – January 25, 1882
• Bessie Coleman – January 26, 1892

List of birth months and flowers