What do you see when you think of January flowers? You might think of the winter jasmine, snowdrop, or camellia, but one flower you might miss is the carnation. The carnation is most frequently associated with love and gratitude, making it a popular gift for Mother’s Day. Therefore, it would be logical to deduce that they would represent May or June. However, their resilience against the cold winter and long bloom time represent stability, devotion, and strength, fitting characteristics for January flowers.
Carnations are tough flowers. They are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to wear. First cultivated in the Mediterranean region, they were named “Dianthus” from the Greek word dios, meaning “god,” and anthos, meaning “flower.” Our name for it, “carnation,” most likely comes from the Latin corona for “crown” or “wreath.” Carnations were used by both the Greeks and Romans, as they turned them into wreaths and garlands to be used in festivals, celebrations, and victories.
Carnations naturally come in every color except blue. From white to purple and green to pink, each color has its own meaning associated with it. Red for love, pink for affection, white for purity, yellow for disappointment, and green for wealth. Aside from being used to express feelings, they also represent political ideologies and historical events. The red carnation, along with the red rose, is a symbol of socialism that has historically been used in demonstrations on May Day. It is worn by Austria, Italy, and the successors of Yugoslavia for this reason. Bright red carnations also represent the overthrow of Portugal’s Estado Novo regime, which became known as the Carnation Revolution. Green carnations even serve two purposes: as a symbol of homosexuality and St. Patrick’s Day.
Despite this, the most common use of the carnation is for holidays and special events, especially Mother’s Day, where carnations are a particularly popular choice due to their representation of gratitude and heartfelt love. Carnations are gifted all around the world as a sign of love and respect for one’s parents. Carnations have also become a popular wedding pick, especially in China, where they are the most commonly used flower for weddings. It is no wonder that the carnation is the national flower of Spain, Monaco, and Slovenia.