January · deep winter
January birth flower: Carnation and Snowdrop
January's birth flowers are carnation and snowdrop, and its birthstone is garnet. Here's what they mean and how to give them.
Carnation and SnowdropBirth flower
GarnetBirthstone →Shop January birthstone jewelry
Garnet for protection, friendship, trust and safe travels, paired with the carnation. Our favorite searches for January gifts.
January birthstone necklaceDainty garnet pendants, the #1 birth month giftShop on Amazon →Garnet ringsSolitaires, stackers & bezel settingsShop on Amazon →January birthstone braceletCharm & chain bracelets with tiny stonesShop on Amazon →Garnet stud earringsSimple studs that go with everythingShop on Amazon →Carnation birth flower necklaceThe January flower, engraved or pressedShop on Amazon →Flower + stone necklaceBoth your symbols in one pieceShop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
The January palette
January birth flower
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
The carnation stands for fascination, devotion and a love that lasts.
Carnation colors & meanings
- Light pink: gratitude and a mother's love
- Dark red: deep love and affection
- White: pure love and good luck
- Striped: a love that couldn't be returned
- Yellow: disappointment (the one shade to skip as a gift)
Carnations have been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. The Greeks and Romans wove them into garlands, and the genus name Dianthus is usually translated as "flower of the gods." Their ruffled petals and spicy, clove-like scent made them a favorite of Victorian flower language, and Anna Jarvis chose white carnations to honor her mother at the first Mother's Day in 1908.
Fun facts
- A single carnation stem can last two to three weeks in a vase, longer than almost any other cut flower.
- The fringed petal edges are called "pinked," which is where the color pink may get its name.
- Carnations are the national flower of Spain and Slovenia.
January birth flower
Snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
The snowdrop stands for hope, rebirth and the promise of better days.
Snowdrop colors & meanings
- White: purity and hope
Snowdrops push up through frozen ground in mid-winter, often before the snow has melted, which is why they became a symbol of hope across Europe. Victorian "galanthophiles" collected rare varieties, and single bulbs still sell for hundreds of pounds at British auctions.
Fun facts
- Each nodding flower has three outer petals and three smaller, green-tipped inner ones.
- Snowdrops contain galantamine, a compound used in Alzheimer's medication.
January birth flower tattoo ideas
Carnations tattoo beautifully because the ruffled, serrated petals read clearly even small. Fine-line artists often draw a single bloom with a long, slightly curved stem and two narrow leaves, which suits wrists, ankles and the inner forearm.
See January tattoo ideasYour January birthstone
Garnet stands for protection, friendship, trust and safe travels. Deep red is classic, but garnets also come in orange (spessartite), green (tsavorite and demantoid) and color-change varieties.
Shop January jewelryJanuary birthstone guideJanuary birth flower gifts
Carnation birth flower necklaces on Amazon →January birth flower art prints on Amazon →Carnation seeds to grow your own on Amazon →We may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Questions, answered
What is the January birth flower?
The January birth flowers are Carnation and Snowdrop. Carnation symbolizes fascination, devotion and a love that lasts.
What does the January birth flower mean?
Carnation means fascination, devotion and a love that lasts. Snowdrop means hope, rebirth and the promise of better days.
What is the January birthstone?
The January birthstone is Garnet, a symbol of protection, friendship, trust and safe travels.
What is a good January birth flower gift?
A bouquet of fresh carnations, a pressed-flower or illustrated print, a birth flower necklace, or garnet jewelry that pairs the flower and the stone.
Your birth month, in your inbox
Get your flower & stone card
One pretty email a month: that month's flower and birthstone, plus a heads-up before family birthdays. No spam.