The Rich Symbolism of Holly and Narcissus – December Birth Flowers

As December unfolds, you might be contemplating ways to maintain a delightful floral atmosphere within your home despite the chilly winter weather. Fortunately, there are flowers that flourish and bloom even in December, allowing you to adorn your living space with their beauty.

Holly and narcissus are the designated birth flowers for December, each carrying its own unique symbolism and vitality throughout the month. These flowers not only add a touch of natural elegance to your home but can also serve as a thoughtful and meaningful addition to a birthday gift if you're celebrating someone born in December!

Holly

Holly carries rich symbolism, representing protection and respect, making it a favored choice for gifting and decorating in December. With a history dating back to the 19th century, holly has been utilized across various cultures as a means to safeguard homes from malevolent spirits.

Embracing its role as the December birth flower, incorporating holly into a decorative flower arrangement or wreath becomes a meaningful celebration throughout the entire month. Additionally, opting for real holly plants introduces the prospect of small scented flowers blossoming in spring, attracting delightful pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Encompassing over 570 species within the Aquifoliaceae family, the holly stands as the sole living genus in this botanical family. Ilex claims the title of the most species-rich woody dioecious angiosperm genus, showcasing its remarkable diversity.

This plant boasts a rich historical presence and holds significant importance across various cultures. Christians, in particular, have found profound symbolism in its features. The leaves' sharpness is evocative of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, while the red berries symbolize the drops of blood shed for salvation. The flame-like shape of the leaves beautifully conveys God's burning love for His people. Holly, retaining its vibrant colors during the Christmas season, naturally became intertwined with Christian holiday traditions.

Notably, the municipality of Stord in Norway incorporates a yellow twig of holly into its Coat-of-arms. In Druidic beliefs, holly leaves were deemed protective against evil spirits, leading to their use as adornments. The magical world of Harry Potter also features holly, serving as the wood for Harry's wand.

In Celtic mythology, holly carries symbolic significance related to goodwill and peace. Its resistance to lightning forged associations with Norse and Celtic thunder gods, such as Thor (Norse) and Taranis (Celtic). Planting holly around homes was believed to prevent lightning strikes, further enhancing its mystical reputation.

Narcissus

The narcissus carries symbolic connotations of good wishes, hope, and wealth. Technically a genus of flowers, any plant falling under this genus is commonly referred to as a daffodil. One particularly popular variety of Narcissus used for December decorations is the Paperwhite, known for its association with purity and unconditional love. Cultivating a Paperwhite bulb yields fragrant white blooms, with a single bulb capable of producing as many as a dozen flowers.

As a native of the Mediterranean, the narcissus was brought over to Asia where it became widely cultivated in China. From there, the narcissus made its way into Europe via European colonists and eventually made its way into North America. Today, the narcissus is mainly cultivated in Great Britain, Holland, and The Channel Isles. In Kurdish culture, the narcissus is a symbol of the new year.

Similarly, in Chinese culture, the narcissus symbolizes the Chinese New Year because it is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. It is also a symbol of wealth and good fortune for the coming year.
As a symbol of hope, the narcissus has become an emblem for cancer societies around the world.
As you can see, these flowers are dynamic and meaningful, and officially considered the birth flower of December. Thanks for exploring the history and some fun facts about these amazing flowers! If you’d like to see more festive fun, check out our holiday collection of flower arrangements!