February may be the shortest month of the year, but it has some beautiful birth flowers associated with it. Here’s a look at the symbolism, meaning, and facts about the February birth month flower.

What Are Birth Month Flowers?

Birth month flowers are specific flowers that represent each month of the year. They are also called birth flowers or floral emblems. The idea of birth month flowers has origins dating back hundreds of years.

Some of the earliest connections between flowers and birth months trace back to ancient Roman festivals. Certain flowers were associated with gods and goddesses honored during particular months. This tradition carried into the Victorian era when interest in flower symbolism and meaning was popular.

Birth month flowers give each month a signature flower that has special meaning for people born during that month. They convey symbolic messages and are thought to be lucky for people born in their assigned month.

February’s Birth Month Flowers

February has two flowers associated with it – the violet and the primrose. Both blooms convey meaning and symbolism unique to the month of February.

Violet

The violet is one of the earliest flowers connected to the month of February. Violets have several symbolic meanings:

• Faithfulness – The short blooming period for violets represents loyalty and devotion. Their heart-shaped leaves evoke fidelity.
• Humility – Violets have a shy, modest appearance that denotes humility. Their purple color is associated with modesty.
• Spirituality – In Christianity, the violet represents spiritual wisdom and humility.
• Rebirth – Violets are one of the earliest spring flowers, emerging just after the winter thaw. This signifies rebirth and renewal.

In the language of flowers, violets represent trustworthiness and loyalty. Sweet violet varieties convey the message “I’ll always be true.” Their use in medieval herbals made them a symbol of healing.

Violets are native to Europe and Asia but grow wild in wooded areas of North America. The common blue violet is the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.

Primrose

The primrose is the other birth flower for the month of February. Primroses carry the following symbolic meanings:

• New Beginnings – Primroses bloom very early in spring, among the first flowers after winter. This makes them a sign of new growth and rejuvenation.
• Confidence – The primrose’s bright yellow color represents confidence, strength, and optimism for the future.
• Eternity – Primroses have been used in wedding bouquets and arrangements to represent undying love and eternity.
• Childhood – The primrose evokes youth and young love. Its association with early spring connects it to childhood.

The language of flowers gives primrose several meanings including young love, trust, and patience. It conveys the hidden meaning “I can’t live without you” in Victorian floriography.

Primroses grow wild across Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa. The common primrose flowered first in early spring draws pollinators emerging from hibernation.

Superstitions and Folklore of February’s Birth Blooms

Beyond conveying symbolic meaning, the violet and primrose have some fascinating superstitions and folklore attached to them. These beliefs originate from antiquity and persisted well into medieval times and the Victorian era. Let’s look at some of the more entertaining legends around these February flowers.

The violet has long been associated with love and romance. There is an old legend that says picking the first violet of spring will allow you to charm your desired partner. However, be careful not to damage the plant – uprooting the first violet of the year was considered very unlucky!

Violets are also featured in folk healing. In medieval times, they were used to cure headaches, insomnia, and even gout! There was also a belief that carrying violets helped ward off evil spirits. Surely because no demon could resist such a pretty flower.

Now for the primrose, which boasts magical legends of its own. Thought to give the ability to see fairies when planted around the home., their glowing yellow color evoked associations with the sun and gold. Women would tie primroses to their shoes to attract wealth and prosperity.

There is an amusing Scottish superstition that having primroses on your dinner table will result in an evening full of lighthearted conversation. Perhaps because it’s impossible to focus on disagreements when surrounded by such cheerful flowers!

So beyond being ambassadors of early spring, these petite February blooms have inspired magical myths and legends for centuries. Even in modern times, they bring a touch of fascination and enchantment with them when they arrive each year. The violet and primrose prove you don’t have to be large to have an outsized influence on the imagination

Meaning in Different Cultures

While the violet and primrose are the most common modern birth flowers for February, other cultures have different traditional flowers for the month.

Japan

• Plum Blossom – In Japanese culture, the plum blossom or ume flower represents February. Plum trees blossom in February heralding the arrival of spring. Different colored plum blossoms convey different meanings:
  • White – Purity, perfection, innocence
  • Pink – Femininity, charm, happiness
  • Red – Passion, devotion, desire

The plum blossom is a symbol of perseverance and renewal. Blooming early while snow is still on the ground, representing the ability to overcome adversity. Plum blossoms are one of the three traditional flowers of Japan along with the cherry blossom and chrysanthemum.

Vietnam

• Peach Flower – The peach flower or hoa dao is the Vietnamese birth flower for February. Peach trees bloom in February, which the Vietnamese consider the start of spring. Peach flowers symbolize vitality and prosperity. Representing learning and growth because they bloom at the start of the Lunar New Year.

China

• Plum Blossom – As in Japan, the plum blossom represents February in Chinese culture. It conveys many of the same symbolic meanings – perseverance, renewal, purity. The plum blossom is one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese art and poetry, representing the meaning of life and passing of time.

Interesting Facts About February Birth Flowers

Beyond their symbolism and cultural significance, February’s flowers have some interesting botanical facts.

• Violet leaves and flowers are edible. They can be used in salads, infused in vinegar, or crystallized with sugar. They can even be used to make jelly!
• The common primrose is the original source of an antioxidant called primulaverin that is being studied for potential health benefits.
• Primroses have two sets of leaves – smooth, rounded leaves low on the plant and wrinkled, oval leaves higher up. The upper leaves catch rainwater and funnel it down to the plant’s roots.
• Plum blossoms last about two weeks but can have up to five different blooming periods from late winter into early spring.
• Peach blossoms emerge on leafless branches in February before the leaves sprout. This unique growth pattern contributes to their symbolic meaning.
• Violets and primroses are related botanically. They both belong to the Primulaceae family of flowers.

The Final Word on February’s Birth Month Flowers

The second month of the year may be short on days, but the february birth month flowers carry rich meaning and heritage. The violet and primrose give February enduring symbols of faithfulness and optimism. These delicate blooms certainly pack a lot of symbolic punch for such a tiny month!

Of course, the violet and primrose aren’t the only flowers with unique stories. January’s carnation and snowdrop have their own fascinating background, just as March’s daffodil and jonquil do. The floral calendar is filled with blossoms of intriguing lore and legend. February’s violet and primrose simply add a little more color to this botanical tapestry that spreads across the months.

Their shy faces may only peek out for a few brief weeks, but these February flowers give us floral food for thought all year long. So next time you see a tiny violet or bright primrose, remember there is more to them than meets the eye. They are true harbingers of spring that remind us life and love find a way to bloom even in the darkest days of winter. Therefore, although February is short, the symbols of rebirth and devotion represented by its signature blooms continue to inspire.