February Birth Flower:
Iris, Violet and Primrose

What are the February birth flowers?

Despite being the month of valentines day, red roses are nowhere to been seen in the wild in February (at least not where i'm writing from in Wales!) Instead you can find some beautiful early blooming flowers, including Violets, Irises and my personal favourite, the cheery Primrose, which are all birth flowers for the month of February.

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Violets | Irises | Primroses | Tattoo Ideas

February Birth Flower: Violets

Symbolism: Youth, Protection, Magic, and Pleasure

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius and Pisces

"The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks."
- Tennessee Williams

With their pretty heart shaped petals which look almost like little faces poking thought the grass, violets bring a welcome splash of colour and cheer to the frosty February landscape.

Violets can be found across the world, they are hardy and can adapt to most environments, preferring shady areas, you can often find them ground under trees or beneath hedgerows. While most varieties of Violets are around in the Northern Hemisphere you can also find them growing in the Andes and Hawaii!

Bloomin' Tasty

Not only are they lovely to look at, many varieties of Violets are edible too! Herbalists recommend violets for their anti inflammatory, immune boosting and soothing properties. Violet leaves and flowers contain high amounts of vitamin A and C, you can sprinkle their petals on deserts and even brew them to make special teas!

Symbolism through time…

In ancient Greece, violets were associated with love and fertility, while in Victorian times, they were seen of as representing modesty and humility, which is where the English phrase “to be a shrinking violet” (to be timid and shy) comes from.

An Emperor’s Favourite Flower

Aside from being famous for being short, Napoleon Bonaparte, was known for his fondness for violets! His love for the flowers is often associated with his relationship with his wife Josephine. According to historical accounts, the couple would exchange violets throughout their relationship. When Josephine died in 1814, a bereft Napoleon decorated her grave with violet blooms.

February Birth Flower: Iris

Symbolism: Nobility, Hope, Faith, Trust, Passion

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius and Pisces

Irises are another lovely february birth flower. These flowers bloom in so many beautiful colours, so it's not really that surprising that their name comes from the Greek for rainbow! 🌈 According to Greek legend, the goddess Iris carried messages from earth to the gods, and in ancient Greece people would plant iris flowers on the graves of their loved ones, hoping that the goddess Iris would help their souls reach heaven. In Iran and Kashmir today, it is still a custom to grow irises in Muslim graveyards.

Ancient Beginnings

Studies trace the first iris cultivation as starting in around 1500 BC in the Middle East and North Africa. Legend has it that the Egyptian king, Thutmose III, on conquering Syria, discovered the irises growing there in the wild and loved them so much he decided to bring the flowers back to Egypt to grow in his palace gardens. (In terms of impulse holiday purchases, I’d say that beats a fridge magnet!)

An Artist's Favourite

Although most often associated with sunflowers, the painter Vincent van Gogh was also a fan of irises, perhaps drawn to their elegant petals and bold colours, so similar to his own artistic style. Van Gogh painted a number of studies of irises, most famously during his stay in the psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy, Provence, towards the end of his life.

Hidden Meanings...

The language of flowers, also known as “floriography”, emerged during the Victorian era in the 19th century. People used flowers to convey meanings and emotions they couldn't openly express due to repressed social norms. To the Victorians, purple irises symbolised admiration and wisdom, while yellow irises were said to represent hidden passions - oh, how very Mr Darcy!

Snakes Be Gone!

There is a Chinese folk belief that the presence of Irises (in particular "Iris Anguifuga" or Iris Snake Chaser) will keep snakes from entering any garden. It is thought to keep slithery visitors out throughout the winter months when it blooms, but let them in during the summer when it's dormant. As someone who is petrified of snakes, i'll definitely be planting some of these... 🐍

February Birth Flower: Primrose

Symbolism: Youth, Protection, Magic, and Pleasure

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius and Pisces

"The flower, that’s like thy face, pale primrose…"
- William Shakespeare, Cymbeline

The third and final birth flower for those born in the month of February is the pretty primrose. These cheery yellow blooms pop up in woodland clearings, grassy parks and beneath hedgerows in February and are a sure sign that the worst of winter is finally over and spring is now just around the corner. Or as they say in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Aslan is on the Move!

Pollinator's Helper

These plucky little flowers are a great benefit to pollinators, such as the brimstone and tortoiseshell butterflies, providing them with nectar when not many other flowers are in season.

Folk Tales and Myths

In Celtic mythology, it is said that if you have primroses growing in your doorway you will be protected from any malevolent spirits who might be stopping by. While in Scottish folklore there is the belief that if you eat a primrose your will see a fairy! (I do not recommend you try this at home but it's a lovely thought!) 🧚

Primroses in Culture and History

Queen Victoria often sent prime minister Benjamin Disraeli primroses from Windsor Castle as they were his favourite flower. The day he died was know as ‘Primrose day’ and was celebrated in Britain every year up until the 1920s.

Shakespeare also makes many references to primroses in his plays. In his play Hamlet for example, Laertes warns his sister Ophelia against taking “the primrose path of dalliance”, in other words the path of pleasure and frivolity... typical older brother eh?!