The concept of birth colors or birthstones by month has long been popular for symbolic and astrological reasons. Each month is associated with a specific color that is said to represent the personality traits of people born during that month. Some cultures and traditions assign special meanings or healing properties to birth colors as well. Many people enjoy wearing or gifting birthstone jewelry or decorating with birth colors as an expression of their astrological sign or birthday month. Understanding the meanings and origins behind traditional birth colors can be an interesting way to connect with your birth month.
Traditional Birth Colors by Month
Here are the traditional birth colors associated with each month:
| Month | Birth Color |
| January | Garnet Red |
| February | Amethyst Purple |
| March | Aquamarine Blue |
| April | Diamond White |
| May | Emerald Green |
| June | Pearl White |
| July | Ruby Red |
| August | Peridot Green |
| September | Sapphire Blue |
| October | Opal Multi-Color |
| November | Topaz Yellow |
| December | Turquoise Blue |
These traditional birth colors were first established in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers as a standardized list linking colors to birth months. The colors were chosen to correspond with the gemstones designated as birthstones for each month. Over time, the colors have taken on symbolic meaning of their own beyond just representing the associated birthstone gem.
Color Meanings by Month
Each birth color is linked to personality traits said to be influenced by the time of year and astrological position of the sun during that month. Here are the symbolic meanings associated with each monthly birth color:
January – Garnet Red
Garnet red is associated with vibrancy, passion, motivation, courage, and self-confidence. It represents the ambitious drive of January-born Capricorns and Aquarians.
February – Amethyst Purple
Amethyst purple is associated with wisdom, intuition, spirituality, and imagination. It represents the mystical side of February-born Aquarians and Pisceans.
March – Aquamarine Blue
Aquamarine blue represents peace, sensitivity, harmony, and emotional openness. It reflects the empathetic nature of March-born Pisceans.
April – Diamond White
Diamond white symbolizes purity, new beginnings, and clarity. It captures the faith and optimism of April-born Aries.
May – Emerald Green
Emerald green represents growth, health, prosperity, hope, and balance. It matches the vitality and abundance of May-born Taureans.
June – Pearl White
Pearl white represents innocence, simplicity, purity, and faith. It aligns with the gentle hearts of June-born Gemini and Cancer.
July – Ruby Red
Ruby red signifies passion, power, vigor, and confidence. It reflects the fierce energy of July-born Cancer and Leo.
August – Peridot Green
Peridot green symbolizes renewal, vitality, and prosperity. It represents the radiant summertime spirit of August-born Leos.
September – Sapphire Blue
Sapphire blue signifies wisdom, intuition, peace, and inspiration. It captures the visionary mindset of September-born Virgos and Libras.
October – Opal Multi-Color
Opal’s rainbow colors represent hope, innocence, emotion, and empathy. This kaleidoscope matches October-born Libra and Scorpio’s depth and complexity.
November – Topaz Yellow
Topaz yellow symbolizes joy, optimism, clarity, and confidence. It aligns with the cheerful spirit of November-born Scorpios and Sagittarians.
December – Turquoise Blue
Turquoise blue represents calm, wholeness, wisdom, and spirituality. It reflects the idealism and honesty of December-born Sagittarians.
Birth Color Meanings in Other Cultures
While the colors above are the most commonly accepted associations in Western culture, other cultures assign different birth colors by month according to their own symbolic systems.
For example, in Chinese culture each month is linked to one of five elemental colors:
| Month | Chinese Birth Color |
| January | Black (water) |
| February | Green/Blue (wood) |
| March | Green (wood) |
| April | White (metal) |
| May | Red (fire) |
| June | White (metal) |
| July | Red (fire) |
| August | Yellow (earth) |
| September | White (metal) |
| October | Gold (metal) |
| November | White (metal) |
| December | Black (water) |
In the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, birth colors are based on astrological birthstones associated with the prominent planet or astrological sign of each month:
| Month | Ayurvedic Birth Color |
| January | Red (garnet) |
| February | Purple (amethyst) |
| March | Yellow (golden sapphire) |
| April | Diamond white |
| May | Emerald green |
| June | Pearl white |
| July | Ruby red |
| August | Green (peridot) |
| September | Blue (sapphire) |
| October | Opal multi-color |
| November | Topaz yellow |
| December | Blue (turquoise) |
So while many colors align with Western meanings, there are some subtle variations according to Ayurvedic astrology.
Using Birth Colors
People often enjoy wearing birthstone jewelry or using birth colors to decorate in ways that align with their personality. Some ideas include:
– Wearing your birthstone color, especially if the symbolic meaning resonates with you
– Decorating your home or office using tones of your birth color
– Selecting or gifting birthstone jewelry to loved ones in their birth color
– Giving gifts or flowers in the assigned birth color of the recipient
– Throwing a birthday party decorated predominantly in the birthday person’s birth color
– Choosing birth color accents when purchasing cars, cellphone cases, or other personal items
– Displaying birth flowers in your birth color, like red carnations for January
– Following birth color fashion or makeup tips associated with your month
– Meditating with crystals, candles, or imagery using your birth color
No matter your beliefs about astrology or color meanings, knowing birth colors can be a fun way to celebrate your birth month or get gift ideas. Discovering the stories and symbolism around birth colors by month adds cultural appreciation.
Birth Color Meanings Over Time
While birthstone color associations have existed for centuries, the meanings have evolved and expanded over time:
Ancient Times
– Earliest birthstones likely originated in Biblical scripture associating stones with the 12 apostles.
– Ancient Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and Indians assigned symbolic properties to crystals and gemstones.
– Colors were connected to gods and astrological signs in early Hindu, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman mythologies.
Middle Ages
– Birthstones became popular in 16th century Europe as people wore gems associated with their birth month for purported healing properties.
– Color meanings were influenced by medieval medicine, myths, holy texts, astrology, and newly discovered gemstone deposits.
Modern Birth Colors
– In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers published the first modern birthstone color list, associating a color to each month based on popularity, lore, and availability of the corresponding gems.
– Birth colors evolved to represent personality traits associated with monthly astrological signs and season changes.
– New cultural meanings and alternate birth color lists, like in Chinese and Hindu traditions, have emerged while Western meanings are still commonly used.
Conclusion
Birth colors and stones carry a rich history and symbolic meaning that many people still enjoy celebrating today. The colors are associated with monthly personality profiles and carry cultural stories from ancient times to the modern standardized associations used in the West. Some common ways people have fun with the birth color tradition include wearing associated birthstone jewelry, gifting items in birth colors, and using birth colors for party décor. Learning about the astrological significance and cultural folklore around birth colors can deepen appreciation for your own birth month.
