Month 05 · symbolic almanac
May
birth symbols
May birth symbols: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn flowers; Emerald birthstones; and Taurus and Gemini zodiac signs.
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Immediate answer
May at a glance
- Primary flower
- Lily of the ValleyAlternative: Hawthorn
- Primary stone
- EmeraldPrimary GIA listing
- Western signs
- TaurusApril 20 - May 20GeminiMay 21 - June 20
- Chinese zodiac
- Year requiredThe animal changes at Chinese New Year
Flower tradition
Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn
Lily of the valley represents the return of happiness and is associated with sweetness and humility. Its delicate bell-shaped flowers symbolize the promise of renewed joy.
- Botanical name
- Convallaria majalis
- Alternative botanical name
- Crataegus spp.
- Symbolic keywords
- Return of Happiness · Humility · Sweetness · Purity
Tradition note: Flower meanings and personality associations are symbolic traditions, not scientific traits assigned by birth month.
Open the sourced May flower guideGemstone tradition
Emerald
Emerald is the green variety of beryl, colored by chromium and sometimes vanadium. Unlike most gems, emeralds typically contain visible inclusions, called 'jardin' (garden), which are accepted as part of their character.
- Primary stone
- Emerald
- Recognized alternatives
- No additional GIA listing
- Hardness
- 7.5-8 on Mohs scale
Crystal tradition note: The symbolic meanings on this site describe spiritual or cultural beliefs, not medical effects.
Open the GIA-referenced May stone guideWestern zodiac
Two signs overlap May
Astrology note: These are conventional tropical date ranges. Traits and compatibility are interpretations within astrology, not measured outcomes.
Chinese zodiac calendar
The year—and its New Year boundary—matters
A month alone cannot produce an exact Chinese zodiac animal. January and February birthdays can belong to the preceding zodiac year until Chinese New Year occurs.
Calculate with the maintained boundary table