Surprising a loved one or friend for their November birthday? If so, you could buy one of their birth flowers!
This is why we wrote this full guide to November birth flowers. We’ll explore their various meanings, symbolisms, and cultural relevance so you’ll know what makes them special.
What are the two November birth flowers?
The two November birth flowers are chrysanthemums and peonies.
Peonies have large, delicate blooms and a sweet aroma, and chrysanthemums have ball-shaped flowers and a woodland aroma.
What is the meaning of chrysanthemums?
The meanings of chrysanthemums are
- Bliss
- Friendship
- Honor
- Trust and fidelity
Chrysanthemums mean bliss
The daisy-like form and multiple colors of mums are symbolic of joy and happiness.
The flower comes not only in pastel hues but also vibrant and dual-colored ones, which can add a nice splash of color to any house or office interior.
Chrysanthemums mean friendship
Coming in a great variety of bright colors, chrysanthemums also traditionally express friendship and best wishes.
There are many levels of friendship, but chrysanthemums are mostly given to a true and loyal friend rather than an acquaintance.
Chrysanthemums mean honor
Chrysanthemums also signify great respect for a parent, friend, or mentor given their elegant petal structures and colors.
Chrysanthemums mean trust and fidelity
The fall-blooming chrysanthemum also conveys faithfulness and trust in someone. That’s why they’re given mostly on engagement and wedding events.
What do different colors of chrysanthemums mean?
Here are the meanings of chrysanthemums by color:
- Red chrysanthemums mean love and passion.
- White chrysanthemums mean loyalty and truth.
- Violet chrysanthemums mean thoughtfulness and care.
- Yellow chrysanthemums mean sadness and rejection.
- Pink chrysanthemums mean a romantic breakup.
Red chrysanthemums mean love and passion
Red is a very striking color for chrysanthemums. This color symbolizes love and passion for a significant other.
As such, red chrysanthemum arrangements are often made for Valentine’s Day and weddings, though they aren’t as popular as red roses.
White chrysanthemums mean loyalty and truth
The white chrysanthemum is elegant and represents loyalty and truth.
The color also suggests purity and abstinence.
Violet chrysanthemums mean thoughtfulness and care
The rare violet chrysanthemum represents thoughtfulness and care.
People usually give violet or purple chrysanthemums to show they respect and care about the recipient.
Yellow chrysanthemums mean sadness and rejection
Yellow chrysanthemums connote sadness and rejection in love. These meanings are inspired by the flower’s long and curling petals.
However, Japanese and Chinese cultures attach a positive meaning to yellow chrysanthemums like hope and cheerfulness.
Pink chrysanthemums mean a romantic breakup
Unlink other pink flowers, pink chrysanthemums may be regarded as a sign of a romantic split or breakup.
What do dual-colored chrysanthemums mean?
Dual-colored red and yellow chrysanthemums mean cheerfulness and love. Meanwhile, dual-colored purple and yellow chrysanthemums mean thoughtfulness, care, and friendship.
What does a chrysanthemum flower tattoo mean?
A chrysanthemum flower tattoo symbolizes beauty, generosity, and longevity. In the past, a tattoo of this flower was believed to protect the person from accidents, bad luck, and evil spirits.
Plus, in Japan, where the flower is very famous, chrysanthemum tattoos show that the person is always strong and determined, especially in the face of adversity.
What is the cultural relevance of chrysanthemums?
The chrysanthemum flower holds cultural relevance in Australia and Asia:
- Chrysanthemum is commonly given on Mother’s Day in Australia.
- Chrysanthemum stands for death and grief in China, Austria, and Belgium.
- Chrysanthemum was Imperial Japan’s emblem.
Chrysanthemums are famous Mother’s Day flowers in Australia
Chrysanthemums are commonly given on Mother’s Day in Australia. The reason for this is that these flowers abound in Australian flower shops during May.
Chrysanthemums stand for death and grief in China, Austria, and Belgium
In China, Austria, and Belgium, people don’t give chrysanthemums during jolly and festive events. That’s because the flower symbolizes death and grief in these countries.
Instead, the flower is placed in mausoleums or grave sites to give comfort to grieving family members and as a sign of respect to the departed person.
The yellow chrysanthemum was Japan’s imperial emblem
The yellow or golden chrysanthemum was the symbol of the Japanese Empire until World War II ended in 1945.
However, the use of the chrysanthemum symbol can be traced back to the Kamakura Period in Japan, which spanned from the 12th to the 14th century under Emperor Go-Toba.
What is the essence of the chrysanthemum in Buddhism?
The chrysanthemum is considered sacred in Buddhism. It is said to have active yang energy that can make a place brighter.
Buddhist followers place the flower on altars as an expression of respect and gratitude to the Buddha or other Buddhist deities.
What are ideal gifting events for chrysanthemums?
Depending on the color, chrysanthemum flowers can be gifted on many occasions and events, but the most common ones are birthdays, Valentine’s Day, and weddings.
This is because the flowers symbolize love, happiness, and fidelity.
Red, white, and dual-colored mums can also be sent to parents, teachers, or bosses. These flowers can be presented in a bouquet, vase, or hatbox with a nice message card.
What is the meaning of peonies?
The general meanings of peonies are
- Beauty
- Love and romance
- Wealth and success
- Joy and friendship
Peonies mean beauty
Peonies are known for their beauty. They have large, pretty flowers and lustrous leaves.
They can be used for special occasions. They’re great for bridal bouquets and posies and table centerpieces.
Peonies mean love and romance
Like chrysanthemums, peonies can also embody love and passion through their red blossoms.
Peonies mean wealth and success
Peonies are also taken to mean wealth and success. In fact, they were preferred by Chinese emperors, and thus, the ancient Chinese viewed them as a symbol of wealth success, and power.
Peonies mean joy and friendship
Aside from beauty, fortune, and love, peonies also stand for joy, friendship, and goodwill.
You can give peonies to close friends any day or during special occasions. The elegant flower can also be used to express appreciation or to wish someone well.
What do different colors of peonies mean?
Below are the different meanings of peonies by color:
- Pink peonies mean love, riches, and good luck.
- Red peonies mean romance, honor, and sacrifice.
- Purple peonies mean positivity and uniqueness.
- Yellow or green peonies mean growth and renewal.
Pink peonies mean love, riches, and good luck
Pink peonies symbolize love, wealth, and good luck, but the love they represent is more platonic rather than romantic.
As the flower represents a few positive things at once, it is brilliant to give to a friend, sibling, or parent.
Red peonies mean romance, honor, and sacrifice
Deep-red peonies are excellent flowers to give to a soulmate or partner, as they connote romance.
In addition to this, red peonies stand for honor and sacrifice and can convey that the giver honors their commitment to the romantic relationship.
However, the red peony can also stand for bashfulness maybe—because it has the same color as a blushing cheek.
Purple peonies mean positivity and uniqueness
Being one of the rarest peonies that exist, purple peonies are symbolic of originality. They also mean joy and celebration.
Yellow or green peonies mean growth and renewal
Yellow and green peonies are also rare peony species. These shades represent growth, renewal, and success.
If a person wants to ask for forgiveness, wish someone all the best in their career, or greet them during a new year, then they can give yellow or green peonies to convey those intentions well.
What does a peony flower tattoo mean?
A peony flower tattoo represents beauty, success, and wealth.
Furthermore, in Japanese culture, a peony tattoo symbolizes bravery and nobility. Tattoos with this design can be inspired by woodblock prints featuring peonies in the Edo period.
What is the cultural relevance of peonies?
Peonies hold cultural relevance in Greek and Chinese cultures:
- The peony was China’s national flower until 1929.
- The peony is said to have been named after the Greek physician Paean.
- The peony meant compassion to the Ancient Greeks.
- The peony is the state flower of Indiana.
The peony was China’s national flower until 1929
From the Sui Dynasty (6th to 7th century) to 1929, the peony was the national flower of China. For the Chinese, it symbolized beauty, prosperity, femininity, and good luck.
These flowers were planted in the Imperial Palace gardens where they bloomed from spring to summer.
The peony is said to have been named after the Greek physician Paean
It is believed that the peony flower got its name from the remarkable doctor named Paean in the Greek myth. He treated and saved powerful Olympic deities.
One of them was the god of war, Ares, who was badly wounded by the divinely guided spear thrown at his stomach by the Greek warrior Diomedes.
And the other one that Paean treated was the god of the underworld, Hades, after Heracles let fly a swift arrow at him.
What does the peony mean for Ancient Greeks?
The peony meant compassion to the Ancient Greeks.
The idea stems from the Greek myth about the great doctor Paean who was turned into a peony flower by Hades. The doctor showed compassion through his healing skills.
The peony is the state flower of Indiana
Since 1957, the peony has been the state flower of Indiana. This new flower symbol was designated by the state’s legislative branch.
But before this, Indiana had four official flowers, namely, the carnation, the tulip tree, and the zinnia.
Other than that, certain parts of the peony flower can cure a wide variety of ailments. Find out what these are in the next section.
What are the medicinal uses of the peony flower?
Peony seeds and roots have been used to treat or mitigate headaches, asthma, snake bites, lunacy, seizures, epilepsy, and child labor pain since ancient times.
Aside from that, it can also heal wounds, staunch bleeding, and treat certain ailments like arthritis, gout, liver disease, nerve pain, and discomfort.
What are ideal gifting events for peonies?
Romantic dates and weddings are the perfect events for giving a partner a peony bouquet. This is because peonies symbolize beauty and love.
The flower can be gifted during house parties, Sunday barbecues, and Mother’s Day too.
Plus, if you have hurt someone’s feelings and want to make up for it, giving red peonies symbolizing bashfulness or white peonies is a good gesture.
