Flowers have meaning and can “speak” for us when words are hard to find. The flowers for January are carnations and snowdrops.
Carnations are one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world and are used in weddings, life celebrations, and to send messages.
All carnations symbolize love and affection with red signaling deep love; white—pure love; pink—a mother’s love; yellow—disappointment; and striped—rejection or regret. Their primary use in America is as cut flowers.
They are also used in teas to relieve stress and depression, and in massage oils to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to appear each spring. This dainty blossom will work its way up through the snow to reach the sunshine. They are a tiny flower that only grows three to four inches tall. As one of the few varieties of flowers that come only in one color—white, they symbolize purity.
They are frequently used to express both sympathy and happy celebrations. The snowdrop’s message is a positive one, signifying hope and a bright future.