Enter the captivating realm of AHH Flowers as we embark on a delightful journey to uncover Sagittarius flowers, also recognized as December’s birth flowers. December unfolds as a month brimming with joy, followed by yummy feasts, merry celebrations, and an overall festive ambiance. The air fills with the love vibes of New Year, aroma of dishes, tea parties or dinners accompanied by the melodious chime of Christmas bells.
In this cozy season, we witness the birth of two iconic blooms – the festive holly and the graceful narcissus, serving as symbols of happiness and cherished moments. December becomes a season of thoughtful gifting, where bouquets become a perfect presents for birthday celebrations or to welcome a newborn into the world.
What are December Birth Flowers?
Whether you are celebrating a December birthday or curating a thoughtful bouquet for a loved one, the spotlight shines on the festive holly and the graceful narcissus.
December Birth Flower: Holly
Holly – While not a typical flower, but a resilient evergreen shrub or tree, celebrated for its glossy, spiky leaves and vibrant red berries. Often a star in festive decorations like wreaths and garlands, holly (Ilex aquifolium) stands out as a popular choice for holiday adornments, especially during the Christmas season.
Holly isn’t confine to one corner of the world; it finds in various regions across Europe, North America, and Asia. Thriving in woodlands, forests, and gardens, this evergreen beauty also finds a cozy place inside homes during the festive Christmas season.
Holly’s Rich History
With centuries of existence, holly has become a favorite festive plant in Britain. However, long before adorning homes and churches for Christmas, it held sacred significance for the druids. Resilient against winter’s chill, holly’s green and red hues remained popular when other winter flowers wilted, earning it a special place. In ancient times, it symbolized fertility and served as a protective charm against witches in Pagan traditions.
Fascinating Facts about Holly
Delve into the world of holly with over 400 different species worldwide, boasting various sizes and appearances. In an intriguing twist, holly plants are categorized as male or female, both essential for the female plants to bear those iconic bright red berries. Beyond its festive aesthetics, holly wood stands out for its fine texture and pale color, making it a prized material for fine woodwork, inlays, and crafting.
Holly is a valuable food source for wildlife, particularly birds like robins and thrushes. It is highly sought after in woodworking and crafts due to its pale color, density, and fine grain, making it ideal for intricate furniture, musical instruments, and chess pieces.
Meaning and Symbolism of Holly as December Birth Flower
Dive into the deeper meaning behind holly, where it symbolizes happiness, optimism, good fortune, and peace. It is a perfect fit for a month brimming with festive joy and the anticipation of a new year. Its symbolism in Christianity, where the red berries, once believed to be white, carry a profound representation of Christ’s blood, and the leaves signify the crown of thorns. In every holly branch, discover centuries of stories and symbols, making it more than just a pretty plant but a carrier of rich traditions.
December Birth Flower: Narcissus
Let’s chat about December’s second birth flower – the Narcissus. It’s a lovely flower with trumpet-shaped petals in white, yellow, or orange. One special type, the Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus), is delicate, fragrant, and perfect for indoor decorations during the holiday season, blooming from late fall to early winter.
Narcissus flowers finds in sunny, mild places like parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. They also grace gardens, bursting into bloom during springtime.
Narcissus’s Fascinating History
The Paperwhite Narcissus, native to the Mediterranean, is a flower cultivates for its beauty and sweet fragrance. Originating from ancient Greece and Rome, it is popular for its beauty. The name Narcissus comes from Greek mythology. Where a young man fell in love with his reflection and turned into the flower with his name.
(It got its name from a young, good-looking hunter named Narcissus. He was so obsessed with his own beauty that he ended up falling into a pond while admiring himself, leading to the Greeks naming this pretty flower after him. It became a symbol of vanity, adding a touch of myth to its charm.)
Interesting Tidbits about Narcissus
Dive into the world of Narcissus with over 50 species and countless cultivated varieties. The most famous is the daffodil, a type of Narcissus. These flowers are some of the earliest bloomers, signaling the arrival of spring.
Paperwhites often grow without soil, using hydroponics. Their bulbs contain all the nutrients they need for growth and bloom. It’s a trend to force Paperwhite bulbs to bloom indoors during winter. Plant them in a shallow container, add water, and enjoy blooms within 3 to 6 weeks.
Florists at Cornell University found that adding a bit of vodka/gin to the water helps Paperwhites stay upright as they grow taller.
Meaning and Symbolism of Narcissus as December Birth Flower
The paperwhite narcissus, a popular holiday gift, symbolizes renewal, purity, and new beginnings. Its winter-blooming nature makes it a significant symbol in various cultures and religious traditions. During Hanukkah, it symbolizes light, hope, and rebirth, aligning with the holiday’s themes. In some Christian traditions, paperwhites also represent the birth of Christ.
In China, Narcissus symbolizes hope, wealth, and good fortune for the New Year. It’s a popular bloom representing the Chinese New Year, being one of the first to announce spring. Additionally, Narcissus is linked to self-love, originating from the Greek myth of Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection and transforming into the flower bearing his name.
Conclusion
Double Dose of Beauty and Positivity
In summary, December gifts us not one but two exquisite birth flowers – holly and narcissus. Holly, with festive charm, and narcissus, with delicate petals, offer a double dose of beauty and positivity to December birthdays.
As anticipating in the New Year, let the December birth flowers add a touch of nature’s magic to your celebrations. Whether you seek protection, love, or a fresh start, holly and narcissus embody the spirit of December.
If your birth flowers are both Holly and Narcissus, you’re a delightful person inside and out. Your hunger for success and positive, can-do attitude make you stand out. Challenges don’t intimidate you, and your warm, happy nature fills others with hope, making you a super supportive friend. Explore our Christmas flowers bouquets to spread surprise and joy, no matter where you are.
