May Birth Flower:
Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn

May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley

Symbolism: The Return of Happiness, Joy, Love, Sincerity, Magic

Zodiac Sign: Gemini and Taurus

May’s birth flower, Lily of the Valley, is a beautiful flower that has entranced folk for hundreds of years, everyone from fairy queens to real queens! This sweet scented woodland flower with is native throughout Asia and Europe and blossoms in the late spring and early summer, making it the perfect flower to start our foray into May’s birth blooms…

Folk Remedies

Lily of the Valley may smell divine but be aware that it is very poisonous, so bask in its beauty but whatever you do, don’t eat it! Despite this folk medicines have used it for hundred of years for the treatment of various aliments. In his 1886 novel Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson references “Lily of the Valley Water”, which he says that it “comforts the heart and strengthens the memory”.

Famous Fans

Lily of the Valley has some famous fans including Grace Kelly, who featured it in her bridal bouquet, Queen Elizabeth II and the French fashion designer Christian Dior. Dior love the smell of lthis flower so much he produce a perfume that mimics its fragrance, “Diorissimo”. Interestingly though, this perfume does not contain any natural Lily of the Valley, as the flower has no natural aromatic extracts so its scent can only be recreated using synthetic chemicals.

Happiness is Here Again!

In the Victorian "language of flowers", previously mentioned in my February birth flower page, Lily of the Valley signifies the return of happiness and good fortune, most likely due to the fact that it blooms in springtime.

The Fairy Ladder

In parts of Ireland Lily of the Valley is known of as “The Fairy Ladder”, as there is a folk tale that says the cup like flowers of the plant are actually little fairy goblets! When Christianity was brought to Ireland by St Patrick in the 5th century, this story was changed and the pure white of blossoms was seen to represent the virtuosity of Christ and the ladder of flowers was seen as a holy ladder ascending up to heaven. However many people still refer to this plant as "The Fairy Ladder" in a nod to Ireland's magical past.

May Birth Flower: Hawthorn

Symbolism: Hope, Protection, Bravery, Adaptability

Zodiac Sign: Gemini and Taurus

The second birth flower associated with the month of May is the distinctive and eye catching Hawthorn, also know as the Mayflower, Hawberry and Thornapple tree. Hawthorn trees can be found growing in hedgerows and woodlands across the northern hemisphere. They are adaptable to most soils but flowers most dramatically in full sun.

Berries for Birds

The deep red berries of the hawthorn are called “Haws” (the old English word for hedge). Hawthorn trees are loved by birds, such as redwings and thrushes who eat their berries, as well as small mammals like squirrels and mice. Hawthorn flowers are also eaten by dormice and provide nectar for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies.

And it’s not just birds and door mice, parts of the Hawthorn can be eaten by us human folk too! The young leaves, buds and flowers are can all be added to sandwiches and salads or sprinkled on top of cakes to add a pretty foraged florist. The haws (berries) aren’t good to eat raw as they are often very sour might make you stomach upset, but they can be used to create tasty and tart jams, jellies and wines.

Pagan Culture

In Pagan culture the Hawthorn is seen of as a symbol of birth and fertility. The flowers are used as part of May Day celebrations, decorating the crown of the Green Man and many garlands and wreaths. The tree itself is thought to have been the original maypole (a tall wooden pole with ribbons attached that people dance around during May Day celebrations).

Vampire Defeaters

In Serbia and the wider Balkan region hawthorns are entwined with many vampire legends. According to lore, in order to kill a vampire you must slay them with a stake made from Hawthorn.

Haweaters

On Manitoulin Island in Canada, some species of Hawthorn are know of as “Hawberries”. During colonisation, European settlers had scarce food to eat during the winter months and so survived by eating these berries. The fruits would have been their only source of vitamin C and so likely prevented them from getting scurvy. People who are born on the island today as still known of as "haweaters" as a reminder of this time.

May Birth Flower Tattoo Ideas: Lily of the Valley

May Birth Flower Tattoo Ideas: Hawthorn