December

Ok I hear you it is the 30th…but it is still December!

The narcissus is the December birth flower and symbolizes good wishes, faithfulness and respect.

It is easy to confuse the narcissus with a daffodil, the birth flower for March, which is indeed a variety of narcissus.

Most varieties of narcissus are in fact spring flowers but there are several species that bloom in the winter, the most popular being the paperwhite narcissus — known for its dainty white blooms and sweet fragrance.

The December birthday flower has quite q rich history.

As a native of the Mediterranean, the narcissus was brought over to Asia where it became widely cultivated in China. From there, the narcissus made its way into Europe via European colonists and eventually made its way into North America. Today, the narcissus is mainly cultivated in Great Britain, Holland, The Channel Isles and it Italy along the Liguria coast.

The narcissus flower’s name is derived from Greek mythology.

Narcissus was a young hunter known for his great looks. Legend has it he was he was so obsessed by his own good looks that one day, when looking at his own reflection in pond, he leaned in to take a closer look only to fall in and drown. The narcissus is therefore known for being a symbol of vanity in Western culture. However, in other cultures and organizations around the world, the narcissus carries on different meanings:

According to the Victorian “Language of Flowers” giving someone a narcissus means that they are “the only one.”

In Kurdish culture, the narcissus is a symbol of the new year.

Similarly, in Chinese culture, the narcissus symbolizes the Chinese New Year because it is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. It is also a symbol of wealth and good fortune for the coming year. As a symbol of hope, the narcissus has become an emblem for cancer societies around the world.

DECEMBER BIRTHSTONE: TURQUOISE

Turquoise and zircon are the birthstones of December. Turquoise is a gemstone that is popular for its color. A symbol of good fortune and success, it is one of the earliest stones used in jewelry — even as early as 5500 BC. Upon excavation, mummified pharaohs have been found adorned with turquoise bracelets, and turquoise beads were found in ancient Mesopotamian ruins. The turquoise is also the national stone of Iran. In Native American culture, the turquoise is called “Chal-cui-hui-tal” which means “the highest and most valued thing in the world,” and is a large part of southwest American culture. Turquoise has a striking blue-green color that is derived from the combination of copper and iron that’s present within the stone. Zircon is the secondary birthstone for the month of December. It is a mineral that is typically found as deposits in granite and metamorphic rock, and gemstone quality zircon are rare to come by. Zircon colors can range from red to brown and from orange to yellow. In the 1920s, a blue zircon gemstone was created by heating brown and yellow zircons. The most prized color of zircon is the red gemstone.