December Birth Flowers: Narcissus & Holly Meanings

If you were born in December, your traditional birth flowers are narcissus and holly.

The narcissus, especially the paperwhite narcissus, is generally treated as December’s primary birth flower. It symbolizes hope, renewal, rebirth, faithfulness, purity, and new beginnings.

Holly is the secondary December birth flower and represents protection, resilience, happiness, goodwill, faithful love, and enduring life.

Together, the two flowers capture December beautifully. Narcissus represents the promise of renewal, while evergreen holly symbolizes strength and life that continues through winter. Current birth-flower calendars consistently list narcissus as the primary December flower and holly as the secondary one.

What Is the December Birth Flower?

December has two traditional birth flowers:

December Birth Flower	Main Meanings	Appearance
Narcissus	Hope, rebirth, renewal, faithfulness	White or yellow fragrant blooms
Holly	Protection, resilience, goodwill, faithful love	Glossy green leaves and red berries

Paperwhite narcissus is especially closely associated with December because it can be encouraged to bloom indoors during winter.

Holly, meanwhile, has been connected with midwinter celebrations for centuries.

Why Does December Have Two Birth Flowers?

Many months have both a primary and secondary birth flower because birth-flower traditions were never controlled by one official worldwide authority.

Different seasonal, regional, religious, and cultural traditions contributed to the lists used today.

For December, narcissus and holly complement one another particularly well.

Narcissus represents renewal and hope.

Holly represents endurance and protection.

One symbolizes something new beginning.

The other symbolizes strength that survives difficult conditions.

That combination makes the pair especially appropriate for the final month of the year.

December Birth Flower #1: Narcissus

Narcissus is a genus of flowering bulbs that includes familiar plants such as daffodils, jonquils, and paperwhites.

For December birth-flower symbolism, paperwhite narcissus is the form most commonly discussed.

Paperwhites produce elegant clusters of fragrant white flowers and are often grown indoors during winter.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac specifically identifies paperwhite narcissus as December’s primary birth flower.

Narcissus Flower Meaning

Narcissus flowers commonly symbolize:

Hope
Renewal
Rebirth
Faithfulness
New beginnings
Good fortune
Purity
Self-reflection

The exact meaning depends on context.

White paperwhites are especially associated with purity, sincerity, hope, and renewal.

Because they can flower during winter, they naturally became symbols of life appearing during a dark or dormant season.

Paperwhite Narcissus Meaning

The paperwhite narcissus meaning is especially positive.

Paperwhites commonly symbolize:

Hope
Devotion
Faithfulness
Purity
Simplicity
Renewal
New beginnings

Their white color reinforces associations with innocence and sincerity.

Their winter blooming habit adds another symbolic layer.

A paperwhite flowering while much of the landscape is dormant creates a powerful image of:

hope appearing during difficult times.

Why Does Narcissus Symbolize Rebirth?

Narcissus grows from a bulb that can remain dormant before producing new shoots and flowers.

That growth cycle makes it a natural symbol of renewal.

Its symbolism is particularly appropriate in December because the month sits at the end of one calendar year and just before the beginning of another.

The flower can therefore represent:

leaving the past behind
starting again
emotional renewal
personal growth
hope for the coming year

Narcissus Spiritual Meaning

Spiritually, narcissus can symbolize:

inner renewal
self-awareness
reflection
hope
transformation
rebirth

There is also a more cautionary interpretation because of the Greek myth of Narcissus.

The mythological Narcissus was a young man—not a god—who became obsessed with his own reflection.

That story later gave rise to the word narcissism.

Because of this, narcissus symbolism sometimes includes themes of:

excessive self-focus
vanity
self-absorption

However, modern birth-flower symbolism generally emphasizes the more positive meanings of renewal, faithfulness, and hope.

Narcissus in Greek Mythology

The name Narcissus is strongly connected with Greek mythology.

Narcissus was a beautiful young man who became captivated by his own reflection.

According to the myth, his inability to turn away from himself ultimately led to his death, after which the narcissus flower became associated with his story.

This mythology created the flower’s unusual symbolic duality.

It can represent:

healthy reflection and renewal

but also:

the danger of excessive self-obsession.

Floraly discusses the myth, although it incorrectly refers to Narcissus as a god. He is more accurately described in Greek mythology as a beautiful young man.

White Narcissus Meaning

White narcissus flowers commonly symbolize:

Purity
Hope
Innocence
Sincerity
Renewal
Peace

This is especially relevant to paperwhites, which are the narcissus most strongly associated with December.

Yellow Narcissus Meaning

Yellow narcissus flowers commonly represent:

Happiness
Optimism
Friendship
Joy
New beginnings

Yellow daffodils are more strongly associated with March, but the symbolism is still useful when discussing the broader Narcissus genus.

December Birth Flower #2: Holly

Holly is unusual among birth flowers because the part most people recognize is not its flower.

Most people identify holly by its:

glossy evergreen leaves
pointed leaf margins
bright red berries

Holly does produce flowers, but its foliage and berries have become the dominant visual symbols.

The genus is Ilex, and many holly species remain evergreen through winter.

Holly Meaning

Holly commonly symbolizes:

Protection
Resilience
Happiness
Goodwill
Faithful love
Eternal life
Hope
Strength

Its evergreen nature explains much of this symbolism.

While many plants lose their leaves during winter, holly remains green.

That made it a natural symbol of:

life continuing through hardship.

Why Does Holly Symbolize Protection?

Holly has tough, often spiny leaves.

Those physical characteristics contributed to traditional associations with:

defense
boundaries
protection
strength

European folklore often treated holly as a plant capable of protecting homes from bad luck or harmful forces.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that ancient Celtic and Roman traditions used holly in winter celebrations and protective customs.

Holly Spiritual Meaning

Spiritually, holly can represent:

protection
endurance
eternal life
hope
resilience
renewal
faithfulness

Because the plant remains green during winter, it became a symbol of life continuing even when the natural world appears dormant.

That makes holly especially appropriate as a December symbol.

Holly in Celtic Traditions

Holly was important in pre-Christian European winter traditions.

Ancient Celtic customs associated evergreen plants with life, protection, and continuity during winter.

Holly was sometimes brought indoors during winter celebrations and connected with protective beliefs.

Later folklore also developed around figures such as the Holly King, representing the darker half of the year.

These traditions helped establish holly as much more than a Christmas decoration.

Holly in Ancient Rome

Holly was also associated with Saturnalia, the Roman winter festival.

Branches of evergreen plants were used during seasonal celebrations and could be given as gifts.

These pre-Christian traditions contributed to holly’s long-standing connection with midwinter festivals.

Holly Meaning in Christianity

Christian symbolism later gave holly a new interpretation.

The plant became associated with the story of Christ.

Traditional Christian symbolism interprets:

The pointed leaves as representing the crown of thorns.

The red berries as representing Christ’s blood.

The evergreen foliage as representing eternal life.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes these Christian associations in its December birth-flower guide.

These interpretations helped strengthen holly’s place in Christmas traditions.

Why Is Holly Associated With Christmas?

Holly’s connection with Christmas is the result of several overlapping traditions.

It was already used in winter celebrations before Christianity became dominant in Europe.

Its evergreen foliage made it visually striking during winter.

Christian traditions later adapted the plant’s symbolism.

Over time, holly became firmly connected with:

Christmas wreaths
garlands
seasonal decorations
holiday cards
winter celebrations

Today, its red and green colors are among the most recognizable visual combinations of the Christmas season.

Holly Berry Meaning

Holly berries add another symbolic layer.

Their vivid red color can represent:

vitality
life
sacrifice
love
strength

However, the bright berries should not be treated as edible decorations.

Holly berries can cause illness if consumed by humans and some animals.

Decorative branches should therefore be kept away from small children and pets.

Are Holly Berries Poisonous?

Holly berries are not intended for human consumption.

Eating multiple berries may cause digestive symptoms such as:

nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal discomfort

Different holly species can vary, but decorative holly should generally be treated as non-edible.

This is especially important during Christmas, when holly branches may be placed indoors.

Narcissus vs. Holly: December Birth Flower Meanings

Although both represent December, their meanings are quite different.

Meaning	Narcissus	Holly
Hope	✓	✓
Renewal	✓	✓
Rebirth	✓
Protection		✓
Faithfulness	✓	✓
Purity	✓
Resilience		✓
New Beginnings	✓
Eternal Life		✓

The easiest way to remember the difference is:

Narcissus = hope, renewal, rebirth

Holly = protection, resilience, enduring life

Together they create one of the most seasonally appropriate birth-flower pairings.

Is Poinsettia a December Birth Flower?

Poinsettia frequently appears on modern lists of December flowers because of its strong connection with Christmas.

Floraly even includes poinsettia as a third December birth flower.

However, the most consistently recognized traditional December pairing is:

Primary: Narcissus

Secondary: Holly

Current Old Farmer’s Almanac birth-flower guidance uses this two-flower system.

For LotusRush, I recommend treating poinsettia as an alternative modern festive flower, not as equal to the traditional primary and secondary pair.

Poinsettia Meaning

Poinsettias commonly symbolize:

Good cheer
Celebration
Success
Festivity
Joy

The colorful structures most people call poinsettia petals are actually modified leaves called bracts.

The plant’s strong red-and-green appearance helped make it one of the most recognizable Christmas plants.

What Do December Birth Flowers Say About Personality?

Birth-flower personality meanings are symbolic rather than scientific.

Still, the combination of narcissus and holly suggests an interesting personality profile.

Someone born in December may symbolically be described as:

Hopeful
Loyal
Resilient
Protective
Faithful
Optimistic
Determined
Reflective
Generous

Narcissus contributes the qualities of:

renewal, optimism, faithfulness, and reflection.

Holly contributes:

strength, protection, endurance, and loyalty.

Together, the flowers suggest someone who can remain optimistic without losing inner strength.

What Is the December Birth Flower for Sagittarius?

People born under Sagittarius during December can claim narcissus and holly as their December birth flowers.

Birth flowers and zodiac flowers are separate symbolic traditions, however.

The birth-flower connection depends on the month, not the zodiac sign.

What Is the December Birth Flower for Capricorn?

People born under Capricorn in late December also share narcissus and holly as their traditional birth flowers.

Holly’s symbolism of endurance and resilience may feel particularly compatible with common Capricorn personality associations, but this is a modern symbolic comparison rather than a traditional botanical link.

December Birth Flower Tattoo Meaning

A December birth-flower tattoo may include:

Paperwhite narcissus
Holly leaves
Holly berries
Both plants together

Such a tattoo can represent:

A December birthday
Hope
Renewal
Protection
Resilience
Faithfulness
Family
New beginnings
A loved one born in December

Narcissus Tattoo Meaning

A narcissus tattoo can symbolize:

Rebirth
Renewal
Hope
Self-awareness
New beginnings

A white paperwhite design