Birth Symbols by Month: Zodiac, Birthstone, Flower and Tree

You may already know your baby's zodiac sign and birthstone — but how about his flower or his tree? Birth symbols are abundant in various traditions and, in some cases, date back thousands of years. For example, Babylonians adopted the zodiac symbols from ancient Egypt, aligning character traits with each constellation they saw in the night sky. The Druids created Celtic tree astrology, assigning trees to different periods of the year and matching personality traits of those born under the sign. The tradition of a particular type of flower as a birthday gift dates back to the Romans, and like gemstones — a tradition believed to have originated in Biblical times, with the current list of stones dating to 1912 — each carries special meaning associated with the month.

Regardless of the symbol (and your beliefs!), you can do as the Romans do and give unique gifts to your little ones based on the month they were born. Read on for the symbols for each birth month, along with inspired keepsakes to buy, grow or make.

"Little January, Tapped at my door today. And said, 'Put on your winter wraps, And come outdoors to play.'" —Winifred C. Marshall

Zodiac: Capricorn until January 19 and Aquarius from January 20

Gemstone: Garnet
The garnet, from the Latin word granatum, means seed (think: pomegranate). The stone signifies eternal friendship and trust.

Flower: Carnation, Snowdrop
The carnation's different hues suggest different meanings: red for love or pink for affection. Snowdrops imply hope and beauty.

Tree: Fir, Elm, Cypress

"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." —Gertrude S. Wister

Zodiac: Aquarius until February 18 and Pisces from February 19

Gemstone: Amethyst
Amethyst is believed to bring the wearer courage, clarity and quick wit. The stone has long been associated with royalty in addition to myths and legends across many cultures.

Flower: Violet, Primrose
The violet stands for loyalty and faithfulness. Another February flower, a gift of a primrose lets the recipient know you can't live without them.

Tree: Cypress, Poplar, Cedar, Pine

"March brings breezes, loud and shrill, to stir the dancing daffodil." —Sara Coleridge

Zodiac: Pisces until March 20 and Aries from March 21

Gemstone: Aquamarine
The beautiful pale blue stone was believed to protect sailors as well as guarantee a safe voyage. Even its name was sea-worthy, derived from the words aqua (water) and marina (the sea). According to gemstone lore, the stone is also believed to instill a sense of calm in the person who wears it.

Flowers: Daffodil
This daffodil symbolizes forgiveness, honesty, trust and true love.

Tree: Weeping Willow, Lime Tree, Oak, Hazelnut

"April has put a spirit of youth in everything." —William Shakespeare

Zodiac: Aries until April 19 and Taurus from April 20

Gemstone: Diamond (lucky baby!)
Meaning invincible (translated from the Greek work "adamas"), the diamond is one of the hardest substances on earth. The "healing powers" attributed to diamonds include balance, clarity and energy.

Flower: Daisy
Daisies symbolize innocence, purity and love that conquers all.

Tree: Rowan, Maple, Walnut

"Spring's last-born darling, clear-eyed, sweet, Pauses a moment, with white twinkling feet, and golden locks in breezy play, Half teasing and half tender, to repeat Her song of 'May.'" —Susan Coolidge

Zodiac: Taurus until May 20 and Gemini from May 21

Gemstone: Emerald
Symbolizing love and success, the deep green stone is thought to bring foresight, good fortune and youth to the wearer. It's also a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings — an appropriate symbol of spring.

Flower: Lily of the Valley
The lily of the valley represents sweetness and humility, purity of heart and honor.

Tree: Poplar, Chestnut, Ash

"The air is like a butterfly, With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky, And sings." —Joyce Kilmer

Zodiac: Gemini until June 20 and Cancer from June 21

Gemstone: Pearl
The pearl has long been associated with purity. Pearls are the only gems that come from living sea creatures, and they're also unique in that they require no faceting or polishing to reveal their beauty. Today, most pearls are cultured, grown under controlled conditions by farmers to ensure perfect shape.

Flower: Rose, Honeysuckle
A rose's color signifies different meanings: red means "I love you," pink means perfection and white is innocence. Honeysuckle, June's other flower, stands for the strong bonds of love.

Tree: Ash, Hornbeam, Fig, Birch, Apple

"The glowing Ruby should adorn, Those who in warm July are born, Then will they be exempt and free, From love's doubt and anxiety." —Edward Dowden

Zodiac: Cancer until July 22 and Leo from July 23

Gemstone: Ruby
The gemstone's vivid red color is a showstopper. Rubies are believed to protect your health and bring wisdom, wealth and success in love (though that last wish is a little premature for your wee one!).

Flower: Larkspur, Water Lily
The larkspur generally stands for strong bonds of love, but different colors have different meanings: Pink means fickleness, white means a happy disposition, and purple is first love. The month's other flower, the water lily, connotes purity and majesty.

Tree: Apple, Fir, Elm, Cypress

"Fairest of the months! Ripe summer's queen, The hey-day of the year, With robes that gleam with sunny sheen, Sweet August doth appear." —R. Combe Miller

Zodiac: Leo until August 22 and Virgo from August 23

Gemstone: Peridot
The gemstone is formed deep inside the earth and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. They are believed to contain healing powers that protect against nightmares and bring the wearer power and influence. Colors range from yellowish green to a greenish brown.

Flower: Gladiolus, Poppy
The gladiolus brings remembrance, calm, integrity and infatuation. Poppy is also a popular August flower: red means pleasure, white means consolation, and yellow brings wishes of wealth and success.

Tree: Cypress, Poplar, Cedar, Pine

"By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, With summer's best of weather, And autumn's best of cheer." —Helen Hunt Jackson

Zodiac: Virgo until September 22 and Libra from September 23

Gemstone: Sapphire
The vibrant gemstone is said to protect loved ones from envy and harm. It is associated with heaven — in medieval times, clergy wore the gems to symbolize heaven. Sapphires are generally thought of being various shades of blue, but they occur in hues of purple, green, orange, yellow and even pink.

Flower: Aster, Morning Glory
A symbol of powerful love, the aster is joined by September's other flower, the morning glory, a symbol of affection.

Tree: Weeping Willow, Lime, Olive, Hazelnut

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." —Nathaniel Hawthorne

Zodiac: Libra until October 22 and Scorpio from October 23

Gemstone: Tourmaline, Opal
Tourmaline is available in many colors — and many stones are bi-color or tri-color, containing multiple hues. It is often referred to as "the gemstone of the rainbow," and signifies love and friendship. Opal means "precious jewel." Like the tourmaline, it's often multi-hued, and it signifies faithfulness and confidence.

Flowers: Marigold and Cosmo
The marigold brings a message of undying love. The other October bloom is the cosmo, which symbolizes peace and serenity.

Tree: Rowan, Maple, Walnut

"No spring nor summer's beauty hath such grace, As I have seen in one Autumnal face." —John Donne

Zodiac: Scorpio until November 21 and Sagittarius from November 22

Gemstone: Topaz, Citrine
Meaning love and affection, the topaz comes in many colors: yellow, pink, purple, orange and a variety of blues. It is believed to bring the wearer strength and intellect. The citrine, known as a "healing quartz," is this month's other birthstone. It's believed to bring vitality and health to the wearer, as well as hope, energy and warmth.

Flower: Chrysanthemum
A chrysanthemum's meaning changes depending on its color: red means "I love you," while white stand for innocence, purity and pure love.

Tree: Walnut, Chestnut, Ash

"I heard a bird sing, In the dark of December, A magical thing, And sweet to remember." —Oliver Herford

Zodiac: Sagittarius until December 21 and Capricorn from December 22

Gemstone: Tanzanite, Zircon, Turquoise
Found only in Tanzania, the tanzanite is a brilliant violet-blue gem. The zircon, in its clear variety, is mostly known as a diamond alternative though it's available in a range of colors (blue, yellow, orange, brown and red). In fact, the name, from the Arabic words zar and gun, means gold and color. The gem is believed to ensure a warm welcome and induce tranquil sleep. December's third birthstone is one of the oldest know gems: turquoise. It's available in a range of blue hues and is believed to protect the wearer from harm.

Flower: Narcissus, Holly
The narcissus sends the message to stay just the way you are. The holly, another December flower, stands for domestic happiness.

Tree: Hornbeam, Fig, Beech

Now that you know your baby's birth symbol, try one (or more!) of these practical, creative ways to celebrate her birth:

• Be charming. Bracelets set with birthstones are a sweet gift that both genders will treasure. Plus, as your child ages, she'll enjoy collecting the birthstones of other family members, and you can add new meaningful charms celebrating her interests each birthday.
• Put a ring on it. There's no sweeter way to capture your toddler's age than a handprint. To make it more symbolic, glue a faux gemstone in the likeness of your child's birthstone on one of the fingers on the handprint, like a ring. You can also add the faux stones as nail bling. Mat, frame and hang.
• Make a family tree. Trace your family tree using an image of your child's birthday tree. Print out an image of the tree and superimpose family members' names (or pictures) on the branches.
• Go green. If possible for your region (and soil and sun conditions in your yard for the particular plant), grow their month's bloom in your garden. If you don't have a green thumb, a trip to the arboretum or local nursery can substitute. Make an annual tradition of snapping a picture of your child standing or sitting amidst her month's bloom (you'll love seeing your child grow in comparison to the tree year after year!).
• Give a memory box more meaning. That box holding first booties, cap, hospital tags and first tooth? Decorate it with faux gemstones or color of your child's birthstone.