Named for Mars, the Roman god of war, the month of March can march across our landscape with a mighty blizzard or burst forth with abundant, spring sun! If you or your beloved was born in March, here is what you need to know about including March birthstones and/or birth flowers in your wedding!
Hey, Christie!
My partner, Ari, was born in March. I’d love to incorporate his birthstones and/or birth flowers into our wedding at Ainsworth House & Gardens. What are they? Are there any special meanings?
Thanks!
–Anxious Ashley in Ashland, Oregon
Hey, Ashley!
That’s an impressive set of questions! Let me share what I’ve learned.
The ancient peoples tried to find ways to understand each other by noticing traits people shared. For instance, Greek astrology tries to figure out a person based on where the stars were on the day when the person was born while Chinese astrology tries to figure out a person based on the year they were born. Birthstones and birth flowers are another way to assign traits to a person based on when they were born.
Did I mention March is named for Mars, the god of war? It is!
March is full of celebrations including St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring, and sometimes both Passover and Easter.
It has wintry days of snow or ice and spring days of brilliant sunshine. We might see robins and trees blooming in riot of colorful flowers!
According to the ancient Greeks, those born March 1-20 are under the astrological sign of Pisces, the fish, while those born later in the month are under Ares, the bull. (That’s a Highland Bull to the right.)
This may account for two radically different birthstones for March.
Let’s dive in!
March Birthstones: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
If your astrological sign is a fish, then you might prefer a birthstone that reminds one of the ocean: aquamarine. Ranging in color from light blue to light green, the gem’s name comes from the Latin words, “aqua” and “marina” meaning “seawater.” When cut or faceted, aquamarines can be as clear as water!
As I mentioned, the ancients assigned meanings to gem stones and flowers. They thought that holding a carnelian could prevent the person from getting angry so let’s see if there are additional meanings assigned to this gem stone from the sea.
Ancient mariners (no, not the one with the albatross…) believed that aquamarine had the power to protect mariners/sailors during their voyages and more importantly, could calm the waves when needed.
According to the Geological Institute of America, aquamarine symbolizes happiness in marriage as well as purity of spirit and soul. It is the traditional gift for a 19th. wedding anniversary.
The largest aquamarine was cut from a 100-pound stone found in the late 1980’s and that aquamarine is 4.6 pounds! I don’t think it’s set as a ring….
Where can you find aquamarine? Aquamarines are found in Brazil, Ukraine, Madagascar, Pakistan, Myanmar (was Burma), Colorado, and California.
The other March birthstone is much more connected to Mars and Ares, a much more aggressive astrological symbol. It was thought that bloodstone was a good luck charm which brought strength and health to those wearing it.
The ancient Greeks called the gem “heliotrope” (which means “to turn to the sun”) because they believed that if you put the gem in water, the gem would turn red like an angry sun.
Christians gave the stone a different meaning: Since the stone has scattered patterns of red hematite, Christians thought this represented the blood of Jesus Christ shed during the crucifixion.
Usually dark green with red dots, bloodstone can be transparent or opaque. Bloodstone is found in India, Australia, China, the United States, and Brazil.
March Birth Flowers: Daffodil and Jonquil
Since they both bloom brilliantly in the early spring, these are the perfect birth flowers for March! Because they celebrate the arrival of spring, they symbolize the radiant blossoming of new and wonderful things, unparalleled love happiness, joy, new beginnings, and new birth.
The daffodil is the national flower of Wales. On St. David’s Day, the Welsh wear a daffodil to honor their patron saint.
In case you are wondering, daffodils and jonquils are from the same family of flowers. While a daffodil have all yellow petals and a distinctive center, jonquils bloom with bright white petals and have a yellow center.
In addition to the jonquil having the meanings of the daffodil, it has two additional meanings: desire and friendship.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to me.
Your friend in the wedding business,
Christie Shyne
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