August Birth Flower - Gladiolus & Poppy
Gladiolus and Poppy are the two August birth flowers. Like zodiac signs, both of these have something to tell about your personality traits.
August Birth Flowers – Their Symbolism & Significance
August – the late summers – is all about vibrancy and dramatic colors. And this is perfectly represented by the August birth flowers. Each of these blooms carries a different meaning and significance. You may wonder why are there two birth flowers assigned to every month. Well, the diversity of options gives you the freedom to easily choose the one that resonates with your personality more. Let’s find out about their meaning, history and symbolism.
What are August Birth Flowers?
Gladiolus and Poppy are the two August birth flowers. Like zodiac signs, both of these have something to tell about your personality traits. Moreover, these are a perfect choice to elevate your August celebrations and for personalized gifts. In fact, celebrating with birth flower is not a today’s thing – it’s an age-old tradition. Yes, that’s true! Want to know more about how gladiolus and poppy have been used in history? How people are using them today? If so, you have to keep reading.
Gladiolus – Primary Birth Flower for August
Gladioli are simply gorgeous! With clusters of flowers around one single stem, a gladiolus looks like a bouquet already. The best thing about these blooms is their variety of colors such as red, green, burgundy, lavender, purple, yellow, white, and pink. They start adorning the gardens as the summertime begins. Moreover, these flowers are known for their large stems, funnel-shaped flowers, and long stems.
Did You Know?
The name Gladiolus comes from the Latin word “gladius” which means sword. Hence, gladiolus is also known as “sword lily”.
There are around 260 species of gladiolus – all equally beautiful. Besides, they are tall enough to grow up to 2-6 feet. And each tall spike can withhold around 40 flowers.
What is the History of Gladiolus?
The rich history of gladiolus goes back the the ancient Roman times when flowers were linked to gladiators. The victorious gladiators used to receive these flowers as a sign of strength, honor, and victory. During the Victorian times, people used to believe that the beauty of gladiolus could pierce the recipient’s heart with love.
Furthermore, gladiolus is a native plant to the South African region. There, it has been used for ornamental and culinary purposes for many years now. In many parts of Africa, these flowers were cooked and eaten as vegetables too. These became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. This led to an extensive hybridization of these flowers. In 1910, the American Gladiolus Society in Boston was formed.
What Meaning Does Gladiolus Convey?
Throughout the years, this August birth month flower has been admired for its elegant appearance, lively colors and rich symbolism. They are associated with different meanings. The tall, upright stems of these flowers represent strength and perseverance. Also, they are a part of funerals and memorial services as a sign of remembrance. Indeed, they are a great way to show tribute to the deceased. They also convey admiration, infatuation, and passionate connection. Overall, they represent:
- Strength & Perseverance
- Honor & Integrity
- Remembrance
- Infatuation
- Admiration
This is not all! Different colors of this flower express different meanings. Lets have a look at what they convey:
| Colors of Gladiolus | Meanings they Convey |
|---|---|
| Red | Romance and Passion |
| Pink | Compassion |
| Yellow | Friendship and Happiness |
| White | Innocence and Purity |
| Purple | Good Luck and Beauty |
Its diverse symbolism makes it suitable for all sorts of August celebrations. When used in floral arrangements, they light up the space with their amazingness and vibrancy, Undoubtedly, they exude the true spirit of August. And why just special occasions? Plant them in your gardens to make every day of August special.
A Fun Fact About Gladiolus!
You can extend the blooming season of these blooms from late summers to early fall by planting them in succession.
Poppy – Secondary Birth Flowers for August
Delicate and showy, poppies grow and adorn gardens all around the world, even in temperate climates. They are a member of the Papaveraceae family and their most recognizable species include:
- Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule)
- Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale)
- California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
- Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum)
You can find these august birth flowers in red, orange, white, pink, yellow and purple, etc. Truly, the variety of colors can brighten any space they are in. Moreover, these attractive flowers can be 1-4 feet tall. Also, these are known to have 4-6 petals each – they are crepe-like in texture. Did you know that the name poppy comes from the Latin word pappa meaning milk? It is because when cut, their stems produce a milky white latex-like substance.
What is the History of Poppy?
This august birth month flower has a rich history in different cultures and eras. In different regions including Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia these flowers were a sign of death, resurrection and In Greek mythology, the goddess Demeter is often portrayed wearing a crown of poppies. Apart from this the ancient Greeks also depicted these flowers on their pottery. Moreover, Opium poppy has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years now. People had and have used it for pain relief and sedation.
Today, it is a symbol of remembrance for those who died in the war. This reference is linked with the poem “In Flanders Field,” by the Canadian poet John McCrae. He wrote it during the World War I. This poem coveys red poppies as a sign of tribute and remembrance to fallen soldiers.
What Meaning Does Poppy Convey?
As aforementioned, poppies symbolize remembrance, tribute, and honor – especially for those who gave up their lives in wars. Due to its sedative properties, it’s associated with sleep, death, and rebirth. They are also associated with dreams and imagination. Besides, this secondary august birth month flower also conveys sympathy and consolation. Let’s summarize the meaning of August birth flowers:
| Meanings of Poppy |
|---|
| Remembrance |
| Tribute |
| Death |
| Sleep |
| Ressurection |
| Imagination |
| Sympathy |
No doubt, poppies are a vibrant and meaningful addition to your garden. They are delicate and beautiful and perfectly amp up bouquets and floral arrangements. Plus, their diverse symbolism makes them suitable for a variety of occasions.
A Fun Fact About Poppy!
Are you a fan of The Wizard of Oz? Well, if you are, you must remember the scene of uncontrollably dozing off in a poppy field
What Do August Birth Flowers Tell About Your Personality?
Both of these flowers tell something about the personalities of August Babies. The poppies say that people born in this month are creative, fun-loving, and successful. Once they put their mind to something, they are sure to achieve it. Additionally, according to Gladiolus, August babies are physically strong. They are determined, bright, and sincere. What’s more, these people will touch your heart with love.
Personality Traits & August Birth Flowers
| Gladiolus | Poppy |
|---|---|
| Strong | Creative |
| Sincere | Fun-loving |
| Bright | Successful |
| Loving |
Brighter Your Occasions with August Birth Flowers!
Are you an August baby? Or you know one? You can either make yourself feel special or delight or loved one with birth flowers. After all, they are a thoughtful way to celebrate special occasions. When you add them to your floral decor and gifts, the celebrations become more meaningful and unforgettable. So, next time you think about giving gifts, you can go for birth month flowers – gladiolus and poppy.
