September sits right at that beautiful threshold—summer's warmth still lingering, autumn's colors just starting to peek through. It makes sense, then, that September's birth flowers are Aster and Morning Glory, two blooms that capture exactly this in-between quality.
What strikes me about September's flowers is how different they are while sharing similar themes. Asters look like fallen stars (literally—that's what the name means), while morning glories live their entire lives in the span of a single morning. Both speak to something fleeting and precious. If that sounds a bit philosophical, well, September babies tend to be the thoughtful types.
September Birth Flower Overview
Primary flower: Aster
Secondary flower: Morning Glory
Key themes: Love, wisdom, patience, devotion, impermanence, affection
Thinking about a September birth flower tattoo or art print? The Birth Flower AI Generator can help you visualize different styles.
Aster: September's Primary Birth Flower
When summer gardens start to fade, asters step up. Their star-shaped blooms bring a final burst of color before autumn takes over completely—and they've been doing this for humans throughout history, inspiring everything from Greek mythology to 20th-century political revolutions.
Stars That Grow from the Ground
"Aster" comes straight from Greek—it means "star." One look at the flower tells you why: those thin petals radiating from a golden center really do resemble a star.
Ancient peoples took this celestial connection seriously. Greek worshippers considered asters sacred, placing them on temple altars. Medieval Europeans burned aster leaves to ward off evil spirits and snakes (whether it worked is another matter). There was something about these earthbound stars that seemed to bridge heaven and earth.
Aster History and Cultural Significance
Asters belong to the same family as daisies and sunflowers (Asteraceae), with over 180 species native to North America alone. Native American tribes used aster roots and leaves medicinally, treating everything from fevers to earaches.
European settlers discovered American asters in the 1600s and brought specimens back home, where botanists and gardeners developed new cultivars. Thomas Jefferson grew China asters at Monticello, documenting their beauty in his garden journals.
The flower inspired fine artists too. Claude Monet painted asters in his famous garden at Giverny, while Vincent van Gogh included them in several still-life works.
Perhaps most dramatically, asters gave their name to Hungary's 1918 "Aster Revolution." Protesters wore aster flowers as symbols of their movement, which helped establish the Hungarian People's Republic.
Aster in Greek Mythology
Two myths explain the aster's creation:
The tears of Astraea: The goddess Astraea was the last immortal to live among humans during the Golden Age. When she finally ascended to become the constellation Virgo, she looked down at Earth and wept because she saw so few stars below. Where her tears fell, asters grew—earthly stars to mirror the heavens.
Sacred to the gods: Ancient Greeks considered asters sacred and placed them on altars to honor Olympian deities. They wove aster wreaths for temples and believed the flowers could ward off serpents and negative energy.
Aster Meaning and Symbolism
September's primary birth flower carries layered meanings:
- Love: Deep, patient, enduring affection
- Wisdom: Knowledge gained through experience
- Faith: Spiritual devotion and trust
- Valor: Courage in difficult circumstances
- Elegance: Grace and refined beauty
- Patience: Waiting for the right moment
- Daintiness: Delicate beauty
Victorian flower language assigned asters the meaning of "afterthought" or "I will think of you"—making them popular in farewell bouquets.
Aster Colors and Their Meanings
Asters bloom in rich jewel tones perfect for autumn:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple | Wisdom, royalty, admiration |
| Blue | Loyalty, trust, tranquility |
| Pink | Love, sensitivity, femininity |
| White | Purity, innocence, new beginnings |
| Red | Devotion, passion, undying love |
| Lavender | Enchantment, grace, refinement |
Purple remains the most iconic aster color, deeply associated with the September birth flower.
Morning Glory: The Secondary September Birth Flower
The morning glory earns its name from a simple but beautiful habit—its trumpet-shaped flowers open fresh each morning and close by afternoon. This daily renewal cycle gives the flower profound symbolic meaning.
Morning Glory History
Morning glories (Ipomoea) encompass over 1,000 species found worldwide. The most common garden variety, Ipomoea purpurea, originated in Mexico and Central America, where indigenous peoples cultivated it for centuries.
Aztec priests used certain morning glory species in religious ceremonies. The seeds contain compounds similar to LSD, and Aztecs believed consuming them allowed communication with the divine.
Japanese gardeners transformed morning glories into an art form. During the Edo period (1603-1868), breeding "asagao" (morning glory) became a passionate hobby. Collectors developed extraordinary varieties with ruffled petals, unusual colors, and elaborate patterns. Annual morning glory fairs still draw crowds in Tokyo each July.
A Chinese Love Story
There's a folktale from China that perfectly explains why morning glories carry such bittersweet romantic symbolism.
Zhinu was a weaver goddess who fell in love with Niulang, a mortal cowherd. When the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens discovered this forbidden romance, she was furious. She tore the lovers apart, creating the Milky Way to separate them forever.
But even goddesses can show mercy. The couple was allowed one meeting each year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. They could be together from sunrise to sunset—exactly how long a morning glory blooms.
It's a story about love that persists despite impossible odds. But it's also about accepting that some beautiful things can't last. Morning glories hold both meanings at once.
Morning Glory Meaning and Symbolism
Morning glory's daily blooming cycle shapes its meanings:
- Affection: Love that renews each day
- Mortality: Life's brief, precious nature
- Unrequited love: Longing for something just out of reach
- Resurrection: Daily rebirth and renewal
- Brief beauty: Appreciating fleeting moments
- Departure: The flower closes and departs each afternoon
The "short-lived love" interpretation might seem sad, but it can also represent living fully in the present moment.
Morning Glory Colors
Each morning glory color adds nuance to the flower's meaning:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue | Trust, serenity, faith |
| Purple | Nobility, spirituality, depth |
| Pink | Tender love, gentle romance |
| White | Purity, spiritual awakening |
| Magenta | Passion, intense emotion |
| Red | Strong passion, heart's desire |
The classic sky-blue morning glory remains most popular, often called "Heavenly Blue" in garden catalogs.
September Birth Flower Tattoo Ideas
Both aster and morning glory translate beautifully into tattoo art. Here's inspiration for your September birth flower design:
Aster Tattoo Styles
Realistic botanical: Detailed aster illustrations showcase the flower's intricate petal structure. These work well as larger pieces on forearms, shoulders, or thighs.
Watercolor splash: Purple and blue watercolor effects behind aster silhouettes create dreamy, artistic tattoos.
Star constellation theme: Connect multiple asters with thin lines to form a constellation pattern, honoring the flower's Greek name and mythology.
Minimalist line art: Simple aster outlines work for smaller, subtle placements like wrists, ankles, or behind the ear.
Morning Glory Tattoo Styles
Climbing vine: Morning glory's natural growth pattern creates flowing designs that wrap around arms, legs, or ribs. Include the characteristic heart-shaped leaves for authenticity.
Sunrise motif: Combine morning glory with sun rays, emphasizing the flower's dawn-blooming nature.
Japanese style: Draw inspiration from traditional Japanese morning glory art, featuring bold colors and decorative elements.
Time-lapse concept: Show morning glory in different stages—bud, full bloom, and closing—to represent life's cycles.
Combined September Designs
Consider designs that pair aster and morning glory together. The contrast between aster's symmetrical star shape and morning glory's trumpet form creates visual interest.
Visualize your concept with our Birth Flower AI Generator before visiting a tattoo artist.
September Birth Flower Gift Ideas
September birthdays deserve gifts as thoughtful as their birth flowers. Here are ideas incorporating aster and morning glory:
Fresh and Dried Flowers
- Aster arrangements: Purple and pink asters in autumn bouquets
- Morning glory plants: Living vines for garden or balcony
- Dried flower art: Pressed asters in frames or resin
Jewelry
- Aster pendant necklaces: Star-shaped designs in silver or gold
- Morning glory earrings: Trumpet flower drops
- September birthstone combination: Pair with sapphire (September's birthstone)
Home Décor
- Botanical prints: Vintage-style aster illustrations
- Morning glory vine patterns: On textiles, wallpaper, or ceramics
- Garden flags or signs: Featuring September birth flowers
Personalized Gifts
- Custom artwork: Design unique pieces with our Birth Flower Generator
- Family bouquet art: Combine with other family members' birth flowers at Family Bouquet Creator
- Engraved items: Add aster or morning glory motifs to jewelry, accessories, or keepsakes
Growing September Birth Flowers
Bring your birth flowers into your own garden:
Growing Asters
Native asters (New England, New York varieties):
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Tolerate most soil types when established
- Water during dry spells
- Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
- Bloom late summer through fall frost
China asters (annual):
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Transplant after danger of frost passes
- Need rich, well-draining soil
- Prone to aster wilt—rotate planting locations yearly
Growing Morning Glories
Morning glories grow quickly from seed:
- Nick seeds with a file or soak overnight to speed germination
- Plant directly outdoors after frost danger passes
- Provide trellises, fences, or strings for climbing
- Full sun produces most blooms
- Don't over-fertilize—too much nitrogen means more leaves, fewer flowers
- Self-seed readily; can become invasive in some climates
September Birth Flower FAQ
What is the September birth flower?
September has two birth flowers: the aster (primary) and morning glory (secondary). Asters represent love, wisdom, and patience, while morning glories symbolize affection, mortality, and daily renewal.
What does the September birth flower mean?
Asters symbolize deep love, wisdom, faith, and elegance. Their name means "star" in Greek, connecting them to celestial mythology. Morning glories represent undying affection, life's fleeting beauty, and love that renews each day.
Why is the aster the September birth flower?
Asters bloom abundantly in September, bridging late summer and early autumn. Their star-shaped petals and rich purple colors suit the transitional month perfectly. The flower's association with wisdom also aligns with September's "back to school" energy.
What are good September birth flower tattoo ideas?
Popular options include realistic botanical asters, watercolor-style designs, climbing morning glory vines, star constellation themes connecting multiple asters, and combined designs featuring both flowers.
Explore More Birth Flowers
Learn about birth flowers for every month:
- Birth Flower Finder - Look up any month's flower
- Birth Flower Generator - Create custom AI artwork
- Family Bouquet Creator - Combine multiple birth flowers
Browse adjacent months:
- August Birth Flower (Gladiolus & Poppy)
- October Birth Flower (Marigold & Cosmos)
Written by Michael Torres, botanical illustrator and floral historian. Last updated January 2026.
