December: Winter Solstice, Amaryllis & Paperwhites

Written By Allison Wyper

The days grow shorter, the nights longer, and the world feels quieter — as if nature itself is holding its breath.

At the heart of December lies the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year and a powerful turning point. This is the moment when darkness reaches its peak — and then, slowly, almost imperceptibly, light begins to return. For centuries, cultures have marked this time with candles, evergreen boughs, ritual, and reflection. It’s less about celebration and more about intention.

Flowers that bloom in December carry this same energy — resilient, luminous, and deeply symbolic. Two of my favorites are Amaryllis and Paperwhites.

Amaryllis: Strength, Beauty & Becoming

Amaryllis is unapologetically bold.
Its tall, sculptural stem rises from a dormant bulb, often blooming indoors, there is something quietly radical about that.

Symbolism of Amaryllis

  • Strength and determination

  • Inner beauty & Pride

  • Creative confidence

  • Rising after rest

  • Love & Passion

In December, amaryllis reminds us that growth doesn’t require noise or urgency. Sometimes it happens slowly, in stillness, out of sight — until one day it arrives fully formed. I often think of amaryllis as a flower of personal becoming, perfect for the solstice season when we are reflecting on what we’re calling in for the year ahead.

I like to place my amaryllis bulb in a mason jar just touching some water, then place on a window sill to watch it grow and bloom over time.  It’s a  great way to spend my December / January depending on when I get started, at the end I have this beautiful flower that I cut and place in a beautiful clear vase.  

Amaryllis

Paperwhites: Light, Rebirth, Good Fortune

Paperwhites are deeply nostalgic for many of us. Their scent alone can transport you — kitchen counters, winter windowsills, bowls of stones and water waiting patiently for something to emerge.

Symbolism of Paperwhites

  • Hope and Renewal

  • Purity and Respect

  • New Beginnings

  • Good Fortune

Unlike many flowers, paperwhites don’t ask for much. No soil, no sun — just water and time. In December, they teach us about trust. You plant the bulb, and then you wait. And even in the darkest weeks of the year, they bloom — fragrant, delicate, luminous.

I love paperwhites as a reminder that beauty can be gentle and fleeting, and that ritual doesn’t need to be elaborate to be meaningful.

For Hanukah this symbolizes light and rebirth, a great Christmas holiday gift representing hope and light during the season and for the Chinese New Year, a gift of good fortune.

Paperwhites

Winter Solstice as Flower Ritual

The Winter Solstice invites us to slow down and reflect:

  • What am I releasing from this past year?

  • What do I want to nurture as light returns?

  • Where can I allow rest instead of forcing growth?

Bringing amaryllis or paperwhites into your space during this time becomes more than decoration — it becomes a living ritual. Light a candle at dusk. Tend your flowers. Notice the subtle shifts day by day. Let them mirror what’s happening within you.

Allison Wyper
I am an interdisciplinary artist with over a decade of experience providing administrative, marketing, and production support for artists and creative professionals nationwide. I founded Rhizomatic Arts to provide affordable professional consulting, training, and services to independent creatives and small companies. Rhizomatic Arts takes a holistic approach to creative sustainability, supporting the cultural eco-system on a grassroots, person-to-person level, empowering artists to take charge of their own careers within a supportive network of peers. Our Sustainability Network connects creatives with skills and resources to share, via a mutually-supportive gift economy. Our motto: "work independently, not alone."
http://rhizomaticarts.com