September Symbols Guide ~ Birthstones, Colors, Flowers & Zodiac Signs
The September symbols and zodiac signs are:
- Official Birthstone: Sapphire
- Alternative birthstone: Lapis Lazuli
- Birthstone color: Deep Blue
- Birth flowers: Aster and Morning Glory
- Birth trees: Vine and Ivy
- Zodiac star sign: Virgo: (Aug 23 - Sep 23)
- Zodiac star sign: Libra: (Sep 24 - Oct 23)
Additional symbols of September include:
- Birds: Swallows and Robins
- Animals: Deer, Squirrels and Foxes
- Insects: Butterflies and Dragonflies
by Angelic Shades
depicting September's birthstone, color and flower.
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September Birth Symbols
September is a month of changing seasons, cooler mornings, and the first hints of autumn across much of the Northern Hemisphere. It is also a month rich in symbolism. From the deep blue sparkle of sapphire to the cheerful aster and stately morning glory, September has a collection of traditional and modern symbols that make thoughtful gifts for anyone celebrating a birthday during this time of year.
The best-known September symbols are its birthstones, sapphire and the alternative birthstone lapis lazuli, along with the month's blue birthstone colors. September is also associated with two birth flowers, the aster and morning glory, two Celtic birth trees, the vine and ivy, and the zodiac signs Virgo and Libra. Beyond these official traditions, many cultures also associate September with seasonal birds, animals, butterflies, dragonflies, and harvest imagery that reflect the changing natural world.
Whether you are choosing a piece of birthstone jewelry, planting meaningful flowers, or simply learning about the traditions surrounding a September birthday, these symbols offer fascinating connections to history, nature, and personal meaning.
- September Birth Symbols
- September Birthstones
- September Birthstone Colors
- September Birth Flowers
- September Birth Trees
- September Zodiac Signs
- Additional September Symbols
- Choosing a Meaningful September Birthday Gift
- Which Weekday is my/their September Birthday?
- Conclusion
- Sources and Further Reading
September Birthstones
Sapphire
The official September birthstone is sapphire, one of the world's most treasured gemstones. It has been admired for thousands of years and appears in the jewelry collections of kings, queens, and religious leaders throughout history. Ancient Persians believed the Earth rested upon a giant sapphire whose reflection colored the sky, while medieval Europeans considered sapphire a symbol of wisdom, truth, and divine favor.
Today, sapphire remains one of the "Big Three" colored gemstones alongside ruby and emerald. Although blue sapphire is by far the best known, sapphires actually occur in almost every color except red. Red corundum is classified as ruby rather than sapphire. Yellow, pink, green, orange, purple, white, and the rare pink-orange padparadscha sapphires are all part of the sapphire family.
The rich blue color traditionally associated with September comes from trace amounts of iron and titanium within the crystal structure. Some sapphires display remarkable color changes under different lighting, while others contain tiny needle-like inclusions that produce the famous star sapphire effect.
Sapphire has long symbolized loyalty, honesty, wisdom, sincerity, and lasting love, making it one of the most meaningful gemstones to give as a birthday gift. Sapphire rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and cufflinks are popular presents that can be treasured for generations.
Lapiz Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is the most widely recognized alternative September birthstone. Unlike sapphire, lapis is a beautiful deep blue ornamental rock made up primarily of lazurite, often sprinkled with sparkling golden flecks of pyrite. It was highly prized in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and later Renaissance Europe, where it was ground into ultramarine, one of history's most valuable blue pigments.
Lapis lazuli has traditionally represented wisdom, truth, friendship, creativity, and self-expression. It provides an attractive and often more affordable alternative for people who appreciate September's famous blue color.
September Birthstone Colors
The birthstone colors of September are shades of blue, inspired primarily by sapphire and secondarily by lapis lazuli. These colors range from soft cornflower blue through vivid royal blue to deep velvety navy.
Blue has long been associated with qualities such as trust, stability, wisdom, confidence, peace, and dependability. Psychologists have often noted that blue is among the world's favorite colors, perhaps because it reminds people of clear skies and calm oceans.
Not every sapphire displays exactly the same shade. Gemologists often describe colors using terms such as cornflower blue, royal blue, velvet blue, or midnight blue. The finest stones balance vivid saturation with excellent transparency rather than being simply the darkest blue possible.
These beautiful colors make September-themed gifts easy to personalize. Besides jewelry, sapphire-blue scarves, artwork, home décor, stationery, watches, crystal ornaments, or decorative glass can all reflect the month's distinctive color palette.
September Birth Flowers
September has two birth flowers: the aster and the morning glory.
Aster
The aster takes its name from the Greek word meaning "star," reflecting the flower's distinctive shape. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, asters bloom just as many other flowers begin to fade, bringing welcome bursts of purple, blue, pink, and white into late summer and early autumn gardens.
Throughout history, asters have symbolized love, wisdom, faith, patience, and elegance. In Greek mythology, they were linked with the goddess Astraea, whose tears were said to have transformed into star-like flowers. During the Victorian language of flowers, asters often conveyed affection and thoughtful remembrance.
Morning Glory
Morning glories are climbing vines famous for their trumpet-shaped blossoms that typically open with the morning sun and gently close later in the day. Their brief daily display has made them symbols of renewal, fresh beginnings, affection, and the importance of appreciating each day.
Both flowers make wonderful birthday gifts. Fresh bouquets, flowering garden plants, botanical artwork, pressed flower keepsakes, or jewelry inspired by asters and morning glories all offer meaningful alternatives to traditional birthstone gifts.
September Birth Trees
In the Celtic tree calendar, September is represented by two birth trees: the vine and the ivy.
Vine
The vine generally covers early September. Although grapes are best known for producing wine, vines have symbolized abundance, celebration, fertility, prosperity, and transformation throughout Mediterranean and European history. Their annual cycle of growth, fruiting, and dormancy also represents resilience and renewal.
People born under the vine are sometimes described in modern Celtic traditions as adaptable, imaginative, artistic, and appreciative of beauty. While these personality associations are modern interpretations rather than ancient historical beliefs, the symbolism continues to appeal to many people today.
Ivy
Later in September, the ivy becomes the month's second birth tree. Unlike many plants, ivy remains green throughout much of the year, climbing walls and trees with remarkable persistence. For centuries it has represented friendship, loyalty, endurance, determination, and faithful relationships.
Because ivy continues growing even under difficult conditions, it has become a symbol of resilience and lasting commitment. Gifts featuring vine leaves, ivy designs, vineyard photography, botanical illustrations, or tree-themed jewelry provide thoughtful alternatives for people interested in Celtic traditions.
September Zodiac Signs
September birthdays fall under two zodiac signs: Virgo and Libra.
Virgo
Virgo typically covers birthdays from approximately August 23 through September 22. Represented by the Maiden, Virgo is associated with the element Earth. Traditional astrology links Virgo with qualities such as practicality, careful planning, reliability, intelligence, and attention to detail. Throughout history, the Maiden has often symbolized the harvest season, reflecting September's important role in agriculture across many parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
Libra
Libra begins around September 23 and continues into October. Represented by the Scales, Libra is unique among the zodiac signs because its symbol is an object rather than a living creature. The scales represent balance, fairness, justice, and harmony. Libra belongs to the Air element and is traditionally associated with diplomacy, cooperation, beauty, and social connections.
Many people enjoy incorporating zodiac symbols into personalized birthday gifts, including engraved jewelry, constellation artwork, decorative prints, or customized keepsakes featuring the recipient's zodiac sign.
Additional September Symbols
While official birth symbols are widely recognized, September is also associated with many seasonal plants and animals that vary across countries and cultures in the northern hemisphere.
Across much of North America, September marks the beginning of spectacular bird migration. Ruby-throated hummingbirds begin their remarkable journey south, while many hawks, warblers, and shorebirds also migrate during the month. Birdwatchers often consider September one of the year's most exciting migration seasons.
In the United Kingdom and much of Europe, swallows gathering before migration have long symbolized changing seasons and the arrival of autumn. Robins become increasingly noticeable as summer ends, eventually becoming one of the best-loved birds of the cooler months.
In Japan, September is closely connected with the autumn moon-viewing festival, Tsukimi. Pampas grass, rabbits associated with the moon in East Asian folklore, and migrating geese all appear frequently in seasonal art and poetry celebrating early autumn.
Butterflies remain active across much of Europe and North America during September, particularly painted ladies and monarch butterflies. Monarch migration is one of nature's greatest spectacles, with millions of butterflies traveling thousands of miles toward their wintering grounds in Mexico.
Dragonflies are another familiar September sight around ponds, rivers, and lakes throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In Japan, dragonflies symbolize courage, happiness, and success, while in many Western countries they represent change, adaptability, and transformation.
September is also closely associated with harvest animals. Deer become increasingly active as autumn approaches, squirrels gather food for winter, and foxes are commonly spotted in fields during the cooler evenings. These animals have traditionally represented preparation, resourcefulness, abundance, and the changing seasons.
Although these birds and animals are not official birth symbols, they capture the spirit of September and can inspire meaningful gifts such as wildlife artwork, garden ornaments, bird-themed home décor, nature photography, or books celebrating the natural world.
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Choosing a Meaningful September Birthday Gift
One of the reasons birth symbols have remained popular for centuries is that they make gift-giving more personal. Rather than choosing something purely decorative, a symbol connected with a person's birth month adds an extra layer of meaning.
Birthstone jewelry remains the classic choice. A sapphire pendant, ring, bracelet, or pair of earrings combines beauty with centuries of symbolism. Lapis lazuli jewelry offers an equally striking alternative for those who appreciate rich blue gemstones.
For gardeners, asters or morning glories can become living reminders of a September birthday. Nature lovers may appreciate artwork featuring vine leaves, ivy, migrating birds, butterflies, or dragonflies. Personalized gifts incorporating Virgo or Libra symbols, sapphire-blue colors, or September flowers can all create lasting keepsakes that celebrate the month in a thoughtful and memorable way.
Which Weekday is my/their September Birthday?
September 2026 Calendar
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1 | Sep 2 | Sep 3 | Sep 4 | Sep 5 | Sep 6 | |
| Sep 7 | Sep 8 | Sep 9 | Sep 10 | Sep 11 | Sep 12 | Sep 13 |
| Sep 14 | Sep 15 | Sep 16 | Sep 17 | Sep 18 | Sep 19 | Sep 20 |
| Sep 21 | Sep 22 | Sep 23 | Sep 24 | Sep 25 | Sep 26 | Sep 27 |
| Sep 28 | Sep 29 | Sep 30 |
Conclusion
September's collection of symbols reflects both the beauty of nature and centuries of cultural tradition. Sapphire and lapis lazuli bring rich blue colors that symbolize wisdom and loyalty. Asters and morning glories brighten late summer gardens with messages of love and renewal. The vine and ivy represent abundance, resilience, and lasting friendships, while Virgo and Libra connect the month with ideas of balance, practicality, and harmony.
Beyond these official symbols, migrating birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and harvest wildlife remind us that September is a month of transition, preparation, and new beginnings. Whether chosen for their history, beauty, or symbolism, these traditional emblems offer countless ways to celebrate a September birthday with a thoughtful and meaningful gift.
Sources and Further Reading
Books
George F. Kunz. The Curious Lore of Precious Stones. Dover Publications.
Walter Schumann. Gemstones of the World. Sterling Publishing.
Cally Oldershaw. Gemstones. British Museum Press.
Richard M. Dorson (Ed.). Folklore and Folklife: An Introduction. University of Chicago Press.
John Matthews. The Celtic Tree Oracle. Connections Book Publishing.
Liz Dean. The Ultimate Guide to Astrology. Fair Winds Press.
Margot Roberts. The Language of Flowers. Wellfleet Press.
Peter Coats. Flowers in History. Viking Press.
Authoritative Websites
Monthly Birthstones – https://www.monthlybirthstones.com
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) – https://www.gia.edu
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – https://naturalhistory.si.edu
Royal Horticultural Society – https://www.rhs.org.uk
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – https://www.kew.org
Missouri Botanical Garden – https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology – https://www.birds.cornell.edu
The British Trust for Ornithology – https://www.bto.org
Woodland Trust – https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
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