Since carnations are the official birthday flower of January, it’s only natural that you should celebrate the New Year with a beautiful vase of carnations from Griffins Floral Design.

As a flower with a rich and lengthy history, carnations are a special flower that holds much meaning for our lives, but they’re also a frequent addition to bouquets and arrangements for all sorts of events from birthdays to weddings to anniversaries.

Carnations: What’s in a Name?

One of the fascinating parts of the carnation’s vivid history is that there is no real consensus on the true meaning of the carnation. With a history that stretches back more than two millennia, many stories have emerged regarding the meaning of this intricate flower. For example, some historians have suggested that the common name for the flower, “carnation,” was derived from the Latin term for “flesh” because of the flower’s original pink color.

Another account of the carnation’s rich history suggests the Latin name for the flower, “dianthus caryophyllus,” translates to the “flower of the gods.” With their frequent appearance in the floral crowns of ancient rulers, they were seen as the flower of royalty. Revered for centuries, carnations have become a popular and frequent addition to colorful flower arrangements for all seasons.

Giving the Gift of Carnations

Even though they are cultivated in virtually every conceivable color, vases of pink carnations and roses remain exceptionally popular, especially when given as a birthday gift or for a couple’s first wedding anniversary. They are one of the world’s most diverse flowers because they’re beautiful when they’re a featured part of an arrangement, and they also play the supporting role wonderfully when paired with roses, daisies, or lilies.

Carnations are a delicate and lovely flower in any shade, but you may wish to choose them in a particular color to symbolize a deeper meaning with your gift. Not surprisingly, red usually symbolizes love, and pink symbolizes adoration. If you have a friend with a January birthday, you may want to offer a birthday vase with yellow carnations.

We often take carnations for granted because they’re such a frequent part of flower arrangements, but they’re also a striking flower when they’re the only type of bloom in a vase. Surprise a friend or family member with a January birthday with a large vase of flowers in her favorite color and ensure a memorable and cheerful day.