There are so many things to be thankful for in the month of November that go beyond turkey and mashed potatoes! If you were born in this festive month, you're probably familiar with its birthstones: Topaz and Citrine. The warm-colored stones add a welcome sparkle to this nippy month—but they aren't the only things that do so! Blooming alongside the gems associated with November is its birth flower: The chrysanthemum. There's also a second, lesser-known November birth flower—the peony—but more on that below.
If you aren't familiar with the concept of the birth month flower, here's a little lowdown. The practice of linking flowers to specific months has its roots in ancient history when it was believed that certain flowers possessed protection and luck during their blooming periods. As the petals fell and flourished again and again throughout the years, the concept of the birth flower evolved accordingly, leading to several flowers being connected with each month.
Now that you know how birth flowers came to be, you might be wondering what November's birth flowers entail. Perhaps you're looking for a bright bloom to add to your Thanksgiving floral arrangements or want to treat the Scorpios or Sagittariuses in your life to a brilliant bouquet featuring their birth flowers. Either way, you'll want to read on to discover all the details about November's birth flowers, including what they look like, when they bloom, and what they mean!
What is November's birth flower?
Or rather, what are November's birth flowers? That's right: there are not just one but two beautiful blooms associated with the second to last month of the year. November's birth flowers are the chrysanthemum and the peony.
Peonies come in a range of colors, like pink, white, red, and yellow, and bloom in late spring to early summer. If you don't resonate with peonies, perhaps you'll enjoy mums, which come in white, pink, orange, yellow, red, purple, green, cream, and even bronze! Mums bloom a bit later in the year, from late August to November.
What do mums symbolize?
Chrysanthemums, also known as mums, aren't just a pretty fall filler flower. The perennials, which consist of tightly packed petals clustered around a central disk, carry many meanings. As the primary birth flower of November, chrysanthemums represent joy, longevity, and friendship. Hailing from Asia, mums were cultivated in both China and Japan for their beauty, positive symbolism, and medicinal properties.
But that's not all: each flower shade represents a deeper meaning! For example, purple chrysanthemums are often sent as get-well wishes and white mums represent truth, purity, and loyalty. On the other hand, yellow mums are typically associated with friendship and joy, while red mums symbolize passion and love, making them perfect for a day dedicated to gratitude and family. Speaking of love, mums are a traditional flower for celebrating a 13th wedding anniversary!
What do peonies symbolize?
Now for November's secondary birth flower: the peony. Known for their large, fluffy flowers, these perennials have various symbolic meanings as well. Aside from being a beautiful addition to floral arrangements, pretty pink peonies represent love, compassion, good fortune, and romance (in fact, they're the traditional flower for 12th wedding anniversaries)! Like mums, peonies have a rich history in Asia, dating back over two millenniums.
In China, peonies are known as the "king of flowers," with red peonies in particular symbolizing respect, honor, prosperity and passion. Other common peony shades include white—which represents purity and humility—and yellow, which are also associated with prosperity and good fortune.
Now that you know the meaning behind November's birth flowers, there's no better time to add them to your home for a burst of autumnal spirit and beauty!
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
