China Rose (Rosa chinensis) Photo: Sakurai Midori(Wikipedia)
This is the first Sunday in May, the fifth month in the Western calendar. For the northern hemisphere, it is spring but for the southern autumn. May is named for the Greek goddess Maia and her Roman equivalent was Bona Dea, the goddess of fertility.
The birthstone for May is the emerald, the birth flower is the Lily of the Valley and the Hawthorn, while the flower symbol is the China Rose.
Interesting fact: January is named for the Roman god Janus, the god of doors and this month is the door to the new year. The birthstone for January is the garnet.
