As the month that marks the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, February’s flowers are rich in symbolic meaning. Coming in a range of beautiful purple hues, violet, primrose, and iris represent the hope of early spring and brighter days to come, making them fitting for this time of year!
Each flower has a unique meaning and a lesson they teach us, and these three blooms are no different. If you or a loved one is born in February, keep reading to learn more about your birth month flowers, what they represent, and what their symbolic associations mean for you!
Violet
One of the earliest blooming plants during the first days of spring, these tiny, sweet-scented blossoms grow in woodland settings and are pollinators for the mining bees and hummingbirds! Resilient to the cold and recognized for their heart-shaped leaves, they were given during the Victorian age to symbolize that a declaration was always true. Their common meanings today honour these roots, as they are associated with loyalty and dependability. Because of this, they also represent leadership, strength, courage, and determination — all very noble traits!
On the flip side, violets also have more romantic, creative associations that play to their sweet scent and heart-shaped petals. According to Floraly, these tiny blooms represent a more delicate, everlasting love, along with faithfulness, thoughtfulness, and grace. For the creatives out there, they also symbolize dreams and imagination: giving them an almost mystic air!
Primrose
Ancient Celts believed that large patches of primroses acted as a gateway to the fairy realm. I love the idea that little fairies are hiding just beyond these hardy woodland plants! Because of this, primroses are often thought to symbolize protection, safety, and childhood magic.
Primrose translates to “first rose.” Blooming even despite colder temperatures as one of the first flowers to make an appearance in early spring, they symbolize renewal: a sign that the world is coming to life once again and providing a fresh start after the trials of winter. This, combined with their association with the fairy realm, makes them symbols of youth and optimism!
Iris
Like its fellow blooms in the February birth month flower bouquet, the iris is rich in history, meaning, and its role in the natural world. Not only does this bold purple bloom resemble the wings of butterflies, but it also attracts them: making them a wonderful addition to the garden. Drawing on their large petals and bold appearance, these flowers represent royalty, strength, courage, achievement, wisdom, and vitality: all quite lively and ambitious associations!
In addition to these symbolic meanings, the iris is also a deeply positive bloom as it often represents hope, clarity, kindness, and positive change. In fact, in Greek, iris means “rainbow” and is associated with the Greek goddess Iris, meaning that the iris flower is often thought to symbolize a link between heaven and earth, representing brightness, faith, and the beauty that awaits at the end of a storm.
If you or someone you know was born in the month of February or you would like to carry these meanings with you wherever you go, you can shop greeting cards and fine art prints featuring an original watercolour painting of violet, iris, and primrose flowers here!
