July Birth Flowers: Symbolism and Meaning of Larkspurs and Water Lilies

Flower meanings have existed throughout history as a way to enhance what you wish to say. Whether you are gifting roses to your partner, or white flowers such as lilies to a mourning friend, flowers are indeed one of the best ways to convey your message. You can find unique meanings for flowers in birth months as well! Similar to astrology or birthstones, birth flowers can reflect traits on individuals in the language of flowers! July is a bright and colorful month smack in the middle of summer with fun activities such as swimming and carnivals, not to mention summer break for students. The birth flowers for July, larkspurs and water lilies, and their meanings reflect the joy you feel on a summer day outside.

History of Larkspurs

The first introduction of larkspur in the Americas was in the 1500s via Europe. One of the reasons it became so popular was its bright and beautiful colors. Coming in shades of white, blue, pink, and purple, larkspur is the perfect birth flower for July. These flowers also tell many stories and messages, further enhancing their meaning.

Larkspur history spans all across the world, with every continent having some sort of connection and interpretation. With many societies having larkspurs, each one has a unique interpretation. Let’s look to England for an example. Historically in England, larkspur was used as a ward against magic and ghosts. Bathing in larkspur water gives you protection and immunity against said magic and ghosts. If you believe in magic and ghosts and would like some more protection, this flower is ideal for you.

Meaning of Larkspurs

You can find so many wonderful meanings in larkspur flowers. Florists see larkspurs as a reflection of summertime. When you think of summer, most of the time it’s bright, colorful, and exciting! That’s exactly the meaning of larkspurs interpreted by many. Larkspurs carry the meaning of lightheartedness, youthfulness, positivity, and strong bonds of love. The many colors of larkspurs carry their own individual meanings as well, so whatever your favorite color is, maybe you have a stronger association with it. Florists generally associate blue with gracefulness, pink with giddiness, white with happiness, and purple with love. It’s no wonder why larkspur is the birth flower for an exciting month like July.

Gracefulness

July, like summertime in general, is a diverse and vibrant part of the year. The larkspur, for the most part, symbolizes the exciting and active part of summer, but there is an underlying grace to it as well. Whether it be a calm walk on a summer night, or enjoying a serene picnic under the sun, the gracefulness of larkspur remains within the joy of summer.

Giddiness

One of the beautiful parts of summer for young people is summer vacation. If your birthday is in July, there are sure to be wonderful memories of celebrating your birthday without the stress of school on your mind. Larkspur is the perfect representation of this giddiness as the time away from school connects perfectly with the meaning of youthfulness and excitement.

Happiness

Similar to giddiness, happiness is the perfect interpretation for larkspur. The lightheartedness of youth and the happiness of simply not being in school are sure to be nostalgic for July babies. Larkspur conveys this message of happiness perfectly!

Love

Larkspur flowers also have an association with love and care. Either gifting or receiving a beautiful purple larkspur flower is sure to cheer anyone up. The love of larkspur flowers is the perfect symbolism for the bright month of July.

History of Water Lilies

You can find water lilies in all parts of the world. With 70 species of water lilies in the world, it’s no wonder how the beauty of water lilies is so meaningful to so many societies and people. Water lilies are recognizable by the way they grow in freshwater bodies and have a large bloom stretching up and outward. These flowers’ colors span the whole range of the rainbow, with bright colors such as red, blue, pink, and purple. All these colors also can span from a deep, vibrant shade, or a pale, pastel shade. These flowers are so diverse in their appearance and are a beauty to behold.

Water lilies are a famous flower and for good reason. Having both cultural and religious meanings, water lilies have lots of stories to tell behind them. One story found in Native American culture describes water lilies that fell from the sky into water. This story is a perfect description given the way the bright white of water lilies contrasts with the dark blue and greens of the pond they rest in. The idea of water lilies being similar to stars is a common theme, with other themes including resurrection and purity. With so many interpretations of the water lily, exploring the meanings is amazing fun!

Meaning of Water Lilies

Water lilies have the meaning of purity, resurrection, enlightenment, and beauty, all for good reason. A common water lily is white, a color famous for representing purity and innocence. All colors of water lilies carry these meanings, though, due to the blossoming pattern of water lilies. Water lilies exist in full boom throughout the morning and will close up in the afternoon/evening. This cycle continues for 4-5 days before the flower eventually dies off. This short cycle makes you appreciate the beauty of water lilies in the time they are around, and rebirth can be seen when the next flower is ready to bloom. Water lilies and their vast meanings are such a beauty, it’s no wonder they’re the birth flower of July.

Purity

Water lilies have universally represented purity. The bright white colors and peaceful habitat within a pond create a serene and pure existence for you to enjoy. It’s no surprise this flower was chosen for the birth flower of July. Water lilies are the perfect flower to view while enjoying nature in the heat of summer.

Resurrection

As mentioned in the history of water lilies, the blooming of water lilies and its short flowering period represents concepts such as resurrection and rebirth perfectly. When the flower initially blooms, it brings a new sense of joy into the world, adding so much beauty to whatever body of water it is in. The flower will soon close in the afternoon, to rebloom again in the morning. This cycle is perfect for the birth flower of July. After a long winter and the blossoming of plants in spring, you can finally enjoy the warmth and beauty of summer.

Enlightenment

Following the trend of resurrection, water lilies are the perfect representation of enlightenment. With a short blossoming period, you’re able to enjoy the water lilies for a short period of time. Making the most of this flower’s short blooming period is sure to teach you many things.

Beauty

Water lilies carry the meaning of beauty for obvious reasons. As many societies and cultures have pointed out, water lilies and their bright colors resemble stars in the night sky. Nature contains so much beauty and brings joy to everyone who has the pleasure of viewing it.

Why Larkspurs and Water Lilies?

While there are many interpretations for why these flowers represent July, one simple answer has to do with zodiac signs! Cancer is the zodiac sign for July, making aquatic plants like larkspurs and water lilies perfect for the month’s birth flowers. The cancer zodiac sign is represented by a crab, an aquatic being, just like larkspurs and water lilies. Whether you believe in astrology and zodiac signs or not, there’s no doubt that larkspurs and water lilies are the perfect birth flowers for the month of July.