Roses are red, violets are blue, we know which one is the February birth flower, do you? If you said violets, you’re right (roses are the June birth month flower). But why is the violet the birth flower of February, what do these blooms symbolize, and what violet flower facts and folklore tie these purple flowers to February? For instance, learn why violets are associated with St. Valentine! Explore the fascinating stories and meanings behind violets to discover their alluring mysteries!
Jump to the story about violets and St. Valentine!
About Violets
The term “violets” refers to a wide range of related flowers. More than 650 species are part of the familyViolaceae, genusViola. Most are perennial blooms, though some are annuals or shrubs, especially when grown in different areas.
All violets have small lobed flowers, with leaves that may be heart- or kidney-shaped and may have scalloped edges. The sweet scent of most violets is very characteristic and endearing, making them favorites of many gardeners.
As expected, violets are typically purple, though shades can vary from lighter lilac hues to deep, rich midnight or blackish tones. Unlike typical purple flowers, the color “violet” generally is richer with blue undertones, though different violet flower cultivars are found with varying amounts of white, yellow, or brighter blue accents, with more modern blooms and hybrids even showing subtle maroon or a hint of pinkish shades. A blotch-like “face” is also characteristic of these flowers and is often accented with yellow or white.
The name violet comes from the Frenchvioletein the 1300s, as well as the Latinviolaand Greekvioleta. Because different types of violets are native worldwide in woodland areas, it is reasonable that there are many names for violets. In some areas, these flowers are called pansies, violas, and “heart’s ease,” while the quirkier name johnny-jump-ups refers to how quickly violets can grow early in the spring, seeming the “jump up” from the forest floor.
Because these flowers are some of the earliest spring bloomers, they are ideal to be symbolic as the February birth month flower, when the first signs of spring may begin to appear in warmer areas. While more northern areas won’t quite see violets in February, it is not unusual for these blooms to make their first appearances in the shortest month of the year.
Violet Symbolism
Violets are associated with a great deal of symbolism and folklore. The common blue violet, also called the confederate violet (Viola sororia) is theofficial state flower of four states–Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, while the hooded blue violet–also known as the marsh blue violet or purple violet and alsoViola sororia–is the official provincial flower of New Brunswick, Canada. Similarly, the common dog-violet (Viola riviniana) is the county flower of Lincolnshire, United Kingdom.
In Native American traditions, the Haudenosaunee people–part of the Iroquois Nation–believe violets to represent a child born of both earth and sky. This combination produces harmony and balance, with great opportunities that await.
Violets have also become associated with romantic relationships between women, and symbolize affection and friendship. Other symbolic associations for violets include chastity, modesty, loyalty, and humility. InVictorian floriography–the language of flowers – blue violets symbolize trust and devotion along with peace, calm, and tranquility, while white violets showcase innocence and purity.
Yet in some cases, violets represent sadness and grief. In ancient Rome, it was traditional to use violets for funerals to honor those who have passed, and in modern Thailand, violets continue to represent sorrow and mourning.
These flowers are occasionally associated with the Zodiac signs of Taurus (April 20 to May 20) and Capricorn (December 22 to January 19), and are also asymbolic flower of the fiftieth wedding anniversary, when they are traditionally paired with yellow roses. The yellow of the rose and the purple of the violets are complementary colors that represent the coming together of two individuals to complement one another.
Violet Flower Meaning Around The World
The vibrant color of violets also has its own symbolic associations, whether in the flowers themselves or just in hues reminiscent of the blooms. Purple tones have been associated with royalty in many ancient cultures, including the Roman, Persian, and Byzantine Empires, as well as European royalty. Even in the United States, shades of violet are meant for dignity and honor, such as in thePurple Heartawarded to distinguished military members for their bravery and service.
Purple has also become associated as one of the colors of Valentine’s Day – perfect for the February birth flower. This connection is likely due to the purple shade of amethyst, traditionally the February birthstone and a lovely purple hue similar to violet flowers. The luxurious gem is believed to encourage spiritual growth and increase one’s personal awareness, ideal associations for violets with their strong spiritual connections.
Violets themselves are also associated with St. Valentine, as one myth proclaims that the revered saint crushed violet flowers to create purple ink to write notes to friends while he was banished. Violets have also been noted as an ingredient in various love potions in ancient Greece, giving them yet another connection to the romantic holiday.
Related: Valentine’s Day Origins And Legends
By itself, the color purple also symbolizes creativity, ambition, wealth, and luxury, as well as magic and independence. Thepsychology of the color purplecan be complex, especially as the color is relatively rare in nature – which makes violet flowers even more astonishing and special. Because of that rarity, purple also represents mystery, the supernatural, and even the divine–another connection to the violet’s Christian folklore.
Spiritual Symbolism of Violets
It is the humble nature and purity symbolism of violets that have led these flowers to be associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian folklore. When the Angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus was to be her son and what he would mean to all men, violets blossomed to showcase her chastity and faithfulness. Medieval monks took the meaning of violets even further, calling them “flowers of Trinity” because of their spiritual symbolism and their trios of leaves.
Violets have also been part of ancient Greek mythology with connections to the goddess Artemis, who oversees the hunt, wildlife, and nature. Artemis is said to have changed one of her wood nymph consorts, who wished to always remain a chaste maiden, into a violet to protect her from the unwanted attentions of Apollo. Another Greek tale of violets notes that when Zeus turned Io into a heifer to hide her from the jealous wrath of Hera, Io’s tears of grief and sorrow became violets.
The Violet Flower in Art and Literature
The Christian folklore of violets and their connection to purity, innocence, and chastity has also been showcased in iconic pieces of art. In Leonardo da Vinci’s oil on canvas “Madonna and Child with Flowers” (Benois Madonnacirca 1478-1480), a small sprig of violets is held by the Virgin and admired by the Child. Similarly, Giovanni Paolo’s “Madonna of Humility” (circa 1456) shows the Virgin seated amongst various wildflowers, violets included.
Noted English playwright and poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616) also used violets symbolically in several of his works. A sonnet published in 1584 contains the note of the violet flower meaning – “Violet is for faithfulness.” Shakespeare also references violets in several of his classic plays, includingA Midsummer Night’s Dream,Hamlet, andTwelfth Night. In different instances in Shakespeare’s writings, the flowers are associated with sadness, sorrow, and grief.
Cooking With Violets
Like many different flowers, violets can be deliciously edible. The greens and blooms can both add a distinctive floral essence to salads or a be a mild seasoning for fish or poultry. Depending on the type of violet, flavors can even have hints of mild vanilla or wintergreen, ideal for hot teas. Colorful violets can be frozen in ice cubes as a beautiful accent for chilled drinks, perfect for spring lemonades or summertime teas.
Violet flowers can be candied, sugared, or crystalized, and they make lovely and unique decorations for cookies, cupcakes, or cakes. They can also be used to create syrups for flavoring, or made into jams and jellies.
Violets have many health benefits. Depending on the exact variety, violet flowers are rich in antioxidants as well as vitamins A, B, and C. They have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for arthritis or other joint ailments, and are said to help relieve headaches. Violet-based syrups can be useful for cough suppression as well.
If you plan to cook with violets, it is best to grow the blooms yourself. In doing so, you can be certain of how the plants are treated with respect to pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals, and you can also ensure the violets you use are as fresh and healthy as possible to maximize their flavor and health benefits.
Growing Violet Plants
Different types of violets have been cultivated for more than 500 years, and today these beautiful blooms are grown in flowerbeds, containers, and window boxes worldwide. They do well as colorful borders, and smaller varieties can even serve as unique groundcovers.
While many violets are naturally perennials and can thrive in gardening hardiness zones 2-11 depending on the exact variety, they are often treated as annuals and replaced from year to year. Violets can grow from 3-12 inches tall and will spread from 4-10 inches wide, so space the plants accordingly to provide them adequate room. If overcrowded and without proper airflow, violets can be susceptible to mold. Thinning violets can also ensure good airflow to keep the plants healthier.
These flowers do best in part shade to full sunlight, though in warmer regions afternoon shade is best to avoid burning the plants. Partial or dappled shade also better mimics the woodland conditions where violets thrive naturally.
Rich, organic soil is best for violets and more closely approximates the natural forest floor where these plants naturally sprout. Amending soil with compost or a good quality, slow-release fertilizer will help nourish violets to reach their full growth and most colorful blooms. They will also need consistent watering but should not be left soggy, which could easily lead to rot. Mulching violets can help keep moisture available without accidentally overwatering or risking the roots drying out.
Violets can be planted as seeds or seedlings. In northern areas with shorter growing seasons, seedlings may be a better choice, but if they are started inside, they will need to be properly hardened off to adapt to outdoor conditions when transplanted.
These gorgeous flowers will provide a brilliant show of blooms from spring through fall. Deadheading violets throughout the season will extend bloom time and ensure the maximum color from each plant for full enjoyment of their beauty.
A Note About African Violets
In considering violets, it is important to note that the popular African violet is not a true violet. Instead, African violets are herbaceous perennials native to Tanzania, southeast Kenya, and other parts of eastern Africa. They belong to the genusStreptocarpus, and come in a wider range of purple, white, blue, and pink blooms. While beautiful flowers, they are not violets in the same sense as February’s birth flower, but they can still be a lovely gift for anyone who loves violets but may not be able to properly plant or care for true violets.
Another February Birth Flower – The Primrose
Violets are not the only flowers associated with February. While they are the primary February birth month flower, the primrose is actually a secondary birth flower for the month. These early spring perennials come in a rainbow of different hues, from pink, red, and white to yellow, orange, purple, and blue. Some varieties even offer multi-colored blooms with contrasting borders or variegated petals for a very distinctive look.
Like violets,primroses have a great deal of symbolism, including associations with youth, renewal, and young love due to their early spring appearances.
In Norse mythology, the primrose is associated with Freya, the goddess of love, while in Celtic legends, primroses are connected to fairies and are able to drive away evil spirits. Also similar to violets, primroses have had various medicinal uses throughout history, including to treat headaches and joint ailments. They are also edible and often made into teas or even fermented into wine.
With so much history, culture, and symbolism associated with violets, it is no surprise that they are a popular bloom not only as the February birth month flower, but all year round with their stunning colors, sweet scents, and overall beauty.
Join The Discussion
Which flower do you prefer: violets or primrose?
Did anything surprise you about the violet flower meaning?
Share your tips and tricks for the most beautiful violets and primroses in the comments below!
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Related product: February Birthstone – Amethyst Necklace
Melissa Mayntz
Melissa Mayntz is a writer who specializes in birds and birding, though her work spans a wide range—from folklore to healthy living. Her first book, Migration: Exploring the Remarkable Journeys of Birdswas publishedin 2020. Mayntz also writes forNational Wildlife Magazine and The Spruce. Find her atMelissaMayntz.com.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including the concepts mentioned in this article. Here is some information related to the concepts discussed in the article:
Violets as the Birth Flower of February:
Violets are indeed considered the birth flower of February. While roses are commonly associated with June, violets are associated with February. The reason behind this association is that violets are some of the earliest spring bloomers, and in warmer areas, the first signs of spring may begin to appear in February. However, it's important to note that in more northern areas, violets may not bloom until later in the year [[1]].
Violet Flower Facts:
Violets belong to the family Violaceae and the genus Viola. There are over 650 species of violets, and most of them are perennial blooms, although some can be annuals or shrubs. Violets have small lobed flowers with heart- or kidney-shaped leaves that may have scalloped edges. They are typically purple, but shades can vary from lighter lilac hues to deep, rich midnight or blackish tones. The color "violet" generally has blue undertones, and different violet flower cultivars can have varying amounts of white, yellow, or brighter blue accents. Violets are known for their sweet scent and characteristic blotch-like "face" on the flowers, often accented with yellow or white [[1]].
Symbolism and Folklore:
Violets are associated with a variety of symbolism and folklore. They are the official state flower of four U.S. states: Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Violets symbolize affection, friendship, chastity, modesty, loyalty, and humility. In Victorian floriography, the language of flowers, blue violets symbolize trust, devotion, peace, calm, and tranquility, while white violets represent innocence and purity. Violets have also been associated with sadness and grief in certain cultures. In ancient Rome, violets were used for funerals, and in modern Thailand, they continue to represent sorrow and mourning. Violets are occasionally associated with the Zodiac signs of Taurus and Capricorn, and they are also the symbolic flower of the fiftieth wedding anniversary when traditionally paired with yellow roses [[1]].
Violet Flower Meaning Around the World:
The color purple, which is reminiscent of violet flowers, has its own symbolic associations. Purple has been associated with royalty in many ancient cultures, including the Roman, Persian, and Byzantine Empires, as well as European royalty. Purple is also one of the colors associated with Valentine's Day. The connection between purple and Valentine's Day may be due to the purple shade of amethyst, which is traditionally the February birthstone and has a similar hue to violet flowers. Purple is also associated with creativity, ambition, wealth, luxury, magic, independence, and the divine. In the United States, shades of violet are meant to represent dignity and honor, such as in the Purple Heart awarded to distinguished military members for their bravery and service [[1]].
Spiritual Symbolism of Violets:
Violets have spiritual symbolism in Christian folklore. They are associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her chastity and faithfulness. According to Christian folklore, when the Angel Gabriel told Mary about Jesus, violets blossomed to showcase her purity. Medieval monks referred to violets as the "flowers of Trinity" because of their spiritual symbolism and the trios of leaves they possess. Violets also have connections to ancient Greek mythology, where they are associated with the goddess Artemis and her protection of a wood nymph consort. Another Greek tale mentions that violets originated from the tears of Io, who was turned into a heifer by Zeus to protect her from Hera's jealousy [[1]].
Violets in Art and Literature:
Violets have been featured in various works of art and literature. In Leonardo da Vinci's painting "Madonna and Child with Flowers," a small sprig of violets is held by the Virgin. Giovanni Paolo's painting "Madonna of Humility" also includes violets among the wildflowers. William Shakespeare referenced violets symbolically in several of his works, associating them with sadness, sorrow, and grief. For example, in his play "Hamlet," Ophelia speaks of violets and their connection to her own mental state [[1]].
Cooking with Violets:
Violets are edible flowers and can be used in cooking. Both the greens and blooms can add a distinctive floral essence to salads or serve as a mild seasoning for fish or poultry. Depending on the type of violet, flavors can have hints of mild vanilla or wintergreen. Violets can also be candied, sugared, or crystalized and used as decorations for cookies, cupcakes, or cakes. They can be made into syrups, jams, jellies, or even used to create flavored teas. Violets are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, B, and C. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for various health benefits, such as relieving headaches and joint ailments [[1]].
Growing Violet Plants:
Violets can be grown in flowerbeds, containers, and window boxes. They do well as colorful borders, and smaller varieties can serve as unique groundcovers. Violets prefer part shade to full sunlight, although in warmer regions, afternoon shade is recommended to avoid burning the plants. They thrive in rich, organic soil and benefit from compost or slow-release fertilizer. Violets require consistent watering but should not be left soggy. Proper spacing and thinning of plants can help prevent mold and ensure good airflow. Violets can be planted as seeds or seedlings, and deadheading throughout the season can extend bloom time [[1]].
African Violets:
It's important to note that African violets, while beautiful flowers, are not true violets. They belong to the genus Streptocarpus and are herbaceous perennials native to eastern Africa. African violets come in a wider range of colors, including purple, white, blue, and pink blooms [[1]].
Primroses as Another February Birth Flower:
In addition to violets, primroses are also associated with February as a secondary birth flower. Primroses are early spring perennials that come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, white, yellow, orange, purple, and blue. They symbolize youth, renewal, and young love. Primroses have associations with Norse mythology and Celtic legends, and they have been used medicinally and in culinary applications [[1]].
I hope this information provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts discussed in the article. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
