November Birthstone and Flower
Topaz and chrysanthemum have long histories as the gem and flower for November. I associate their colors with this autumn month.
Tantalizing Topaz
Topaz is the November birthstone. It symbolizes friendship and was said to encourage a sweet disposition. The name topaz comes from the Greek word topazion, which may originate from the Sanskrit tapas, meaning “fire.”
A silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine, topaz is one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals, scoring an 8 on Moh’s scale of hardness. Natural topaz ranges from golden brown to yellow, although impurities or radiation can produce other colors. The orange variety, also known as precious topaz, is the traditional November stone.
Brazil is a major source of topaz. It is also mined in the United States, Russia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Pakistan, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and Nigeria.
Charming Chrysanthemum
The November birth month flower is the chrysanthemum. It is a symbol of optimism and joy. In China and Japan it is also strongly associated with youth. Chrysanthemums are found in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, orange, pink, deep red, and purple. Some varieties are a mix of two or more colors.
Chrysanthemums are flowering plants of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. They are native to China and northeastern Europe. This pretty perennial begins to flower in early autumn. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek: χρυσός chrysos (gold) and: ἄνθεμον anthemon (flower).
Chrysanthemums were originally cultivated in China as a flowering herb in ancient times -- possibly as far back as the 15th century BCE. By 1630 AD 500 cultivars were recorded.
The plant is renowned as one of the Four Noble Ones (also called the Four Gentlemen) in Chinese and East Asian art. (The other three are the plum blossom, the orchid, and the bamboo.) The chrysanthemum became a Japanese Imperial symbol, and it is celebrated during Japan’s Festival of Happiness.
“The Chrysanthemums” is a short story by John Steinbeck, published in 1937. The female character’s love for chrysanthemums and her skill in cultivating them are key elements.
My E. Nash 1908 postcard from the Birthday Gems series features an orange topaz set in gold beneath the signature “guiding star” in the upper right corner. On the upper right, the word “November” is above the verse:
The Topaz rays display That you’ll be true and gay. Chrysanthemum thy flower Will give many a happy hour Thy Star with ray of gold A bright future doth unfold
Across the bottom half of the card, red chrysanthemums lie above the phrase “Birthday Greeting.”
1908 E. Nash “November” postcard.
Happy birthday to everyone born in November, including my dear step-daughter Laura.
