Speak in Japanese with flowers

We all know that red roses mean passion and love, but what about other flowers? Just like the Victorian botany, the Japanese have Hanakotobaor the meaning assigned to each flower. Understanding the hidden language behind flowers will make interactions with nature more exciting and give flowers more meaningful. Please continue reading to learn about some of Japan’s favorite flowers hanakotoba.

What is hanakotoba?

Hanakotoba is translated as “flower word” and refers to the meaning behind each flower. When providing bouquets to loved ones, it was realised that Hanacotoba was useful, but the language of flowers was deeply rooted in Japanese culture. From floral design in kimono to considering the use of specific flowers in ikebana, Hanakotoba can enrich art with another layer of context.

Surprisingly, Hanakotoba is a relatively new concept in Japan and is said to have been introduced to the country in the late 19th century. Thanks to the country’s deep love for nature, Hanakotoba’s poetic concept can be smoothly transformed into Japanese culture.

spring

Sakura (Sakura)

meaning: Excellent beauty, elegance, exquisiteness

Months in Bloom: February to April

Is there any better way to start this list than using the iconic cherry blossoms? The whole of the weeks of the year, the brilliant blooms and the short-lived cherry blossoms are the representative flowers of Japan. Therefore, the meaning of blossoming is to reflect the meaning of Japanese and Japanese values.

There are several types of cherry blossoms, and each variety has a slightly different meaning. For example, some kind of Yoshino flower symbolizes purity and transcendence of beauty, Yaezakura Flowers symbolize educational improvement.

Wisteria (Fuji)

meaning: Kind, welcome, loyal, lasting love

Months in Bloom: April to May

Wisteria flowers blooming in the middle of spring add color to forest hills and manicured gardens. Flowers come in several colors, although purple wisteria blossoms are the most common, while in the world of lavender and lilac, several spectacular large vines flood many of Japan’s gardens.

With the gentle swaying of the wisteria in the wind resembles a warm invitation, the flower Hanakotoba has become a long and faithful love that welcomes someone. The meaning of flowers is surprisingly passionate, which shows the promise of never-ending love beyond death.

Peony (botan)

meaning: Noble, shy, sincere

Months in Bloom: April to May

Beautiful peonies stand alone with Hanacotoba related to the royal family. But peony flowers are also associated with shyness and introversion, perhaps because they bloom with each other. In Western culture, peonies can express compassion and make them a great flower for relatives and friends.

Sumire

meaning: Sincerity, humility, a little happiness

Months in Bloom: Parade until May

Violet, called Sumire Among the Japanese, there are lovely flowers that show sincerity and humility in Japanese culture. Indeed, when you spend the day that does bring happiness, see these tiny flowers (in many colors in addition to purple).

Peach blossoms in Achi

Peach Blossom Flower (MOMO)

meaning: Charming, kind, invincible

Months in Bloom: March to April

Peach trees are known for their richness of fruit, so they are related to fertility, perhaps not surprising. Their flowers are often mistaken for cherry blossoms and have grown to represent women, even Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girl Festival), also known as Momo no no sekku (Peach Festival).

Hanakotoba related to peach blossoms includes “charming” and “kindness”. Peaches or peach trees have also appeared in many folk stories, including momotaroa story of a boy born from a peach to a hero. The association lends peaches the concept of power and invincibility.

Japanese Primrose (Sakuraso)

meaning: First love, childhood dream, purity

Months in Bloom: April to May

In the early moon in Japan, small pink purple flowers often found in the fields have represented spring since the Edo period. A flower that Japanese bacon blooms only in a short time in spring represents the nostalgia of first love and childhood expectations.

Tonami Tulip Festival held

Tulips (Churippu)

meaning: Love, consider, kind confession

Months in Bloom: April to May

Tulips are related to various meanings of different colors. The red tulips symbolize love and gratitude; the white tulips represent heartbreak and desire; the pink tulips represent hard work and pure love; the orange tulips symbolize shy; the purple tulips mean immortal love; and the yellow tulips represent honesty and unrequited love.

With so many possible meanings, tulips offer exciting prospects when offering gifts. When giving flowers, add depth by exploring the meaning of each color.

The lily of the valley (Suzuran)

meaning: A happy return, full of beauty, humility

Months in Bloom: April to May

The lovely lilies in the valley, with bell-shaped flowers, are often associated with the Virgin Mary in Western culture, thus with beauty and happiness. Since small flowers are often hidden behind large leaves of plants, lilies in the valley are also associated with humility.

Summer flowers

Morning glory (Asagao)

meaning: Short-lived love, guaranteed, “I stick to you”

Months in Bloom: July to October

The glory of the morning is named from the name of the blooming and closing petals in the early morning, because the heat of the day takes over it. This flower is like a brief summer love, symbolizing a refreshing and gentle romance. Although the flower’s hanakotoba has slight changes based on color, a general meaning is “I hold you tightly”, but from the morning glorious vines linger on the road around objects in their environment.

Sunflower (Himawari)

meaning: Longing for, love at first sight, “I only have your eyes”

Months in Bloom: July to October

Sunflowers, usually bright yellow, are famous for chasing the sun and are a symbol of summer. Naturally, the flower of hanakotoba reflects this. Sunflowers symbolize yearning, love at first sight, and the idea of ​​only eyes for a particular person. These meanings stem from the way flowers appreciate the sun in summer.

Interestingly, the hanakotoba associated with sunflowers may vary depending on the number of flowers, one of which symbolizes love at first sight, while 999 (!!) symbolizes love that will last into the next life.

Lotus (hasu)

meaning: Sacred, saved

Months in Bloom: July to August

In the Buddhist tradition, lotus has long been considered a sacred flower that brings believers to Nirvana. Therefore, in Hanakotoba, the lotus symbolizes holiness and desire for rescue.

Hydrangea (Ajisai)

meaning: Frenetic, patient, mysterious, and wisdom

Months in Bloom: June to July

Because hydrangeas slowly change color during their relatively long bloom periods, the Hanacotoba Islands associated with them include words related to mottled and patience. Like other flowers in other shades, the color of hydrangea affects its meaning, blue and purple hydrangeas are associated with intelligence and mysterious beauty, and pink hydrangeas represent healthy girls or strong love.

Lily (Yuri)

meaning: Pure, innocent, dignified

Months in Bloom: June to September

Lilies are closely related to Christianity and are often used to symbolize the Virgin Mary, a connection that gives lilies the meaning of lilies, especially white lilies, especially pure. In Japan, its simple, strong appearance has also been associated with dignity.

Remember that the color and diversity of lilies will affect its meaning, so if you plan to use flowers in gifts or crafts, it is worth exploring the Hanakotoba of lilies more deeply.

Autumn flowers

Rose (only)

meaning: Beauty, love, passion, blessing

Months in Bloom: May to November

Few flowers have the meaning as well known as red roses. Red roses are related to passionate love, but the meaning of roses generally varies by color and surprisingly, even numbers. For example, while a rose means “I fell in love with you at first sight,” the gift of 108 roses means “Will you marry me?” Interestingly, the gift of 13 roses means “eternal friendship,” which feels like a luxury to celebrate in a friend’s area.

Red Spider Lily (Higanbana)

meaning: Sad memories, independence, party, “I only think of you”

Months in Bloom: September to October

The Lily of Red Spider (Lily) is often seen in anime and admired for its mysterious beauty, and is said to be a flower blooming along the Holy Ancestor River, which connects the realms of mortals and heaven. In Hanakotoba, Higanbana symbolizes the sadness of farewell and optimism, powerful motivation.

Chrysanthemum (kiku)

meaning: Noble, integrity, lofty status, guarding the demon

Months in Bloom: September to November

Chrysanthemum represents the Japanese imperial family and is considered a national flower. As a result, it is closely related to Hanakotoba, such as aristocratic and noble status.

Chrysanthemums are also often used at funerals down – The festival of the year is comparable to the days of all souls – It is said to be able to withstand bad souls. Therefore, chrysanthemums are usually not great flowers to give to someone casually, as beautiful as they are.

Orange Osmanthus (Kinmokusei)

meaning: Humility, truth, joy

Months in Bloom: September to October

In autumn, you can smell Kinmokusei before you see them bloom. Lovely orange flowers – vibrant but plain in appearance – exudes a beautiful aroma, and therefore, the Hanakotoba association of orange osmanthus is with humility and fragrance of euphoria.

Universe (kosumosu)

meaning: Order, harmony, the innocence of young women

Months in Bloom: September to November

Cosmos Blossoms is one of the favorite flowers of autumn, and the breeze gently sways the innocence. Thus, the universe has Hanakotba related to the innocence of young women. The word “cosmos” comes from the Greek “kosmos”, which translates into “universal order” and “harmony”.

Winter flowers

Camellia (Tsubaki)

meaning: Pride, low-key kindness, impeccable charm

Months in Bloom: November to April

Camellia flowers – bright red, blushing pink or original white – bloom in Japan’s coldest months. Its low-key and elegant appearance makes it Hanakotoba: plain elegance and pride.

Japanese plum blossom (UME)

meaning: Elegance, integrity, patience, loyalty

Months in Bloom: January to March

The flowers of UME trees (called Japanese plums and Japanese apricots in English) usually bloom in mid-February, adding color and charm to the landscape during the last week of winter. Witnessing the plum blossom reminds us of the beauty of nature, and spring will soon come.

Suisen

meaning: Vanity, self-love

Months in Bloom: December to April

The plant name of the daffodil, Narcissus, provides expectations for the Hanakotoba of the flowers. Of course, the Narcissus with capital “N” refers to the young man who fell in love with his reflection so much that he stopped eating and withered. The place where he died was planted with white and golden flowers, called daffodils or daffodils. Depending on how you rotate, flowers may mean self-love or vanity.

pansy (panjii)

meaning: Consider, “thinking about you”

Months in Bloom: October to May

Throughout the winter, optimism and firm sprouting are often seen, and violets are associated with Hanacotoba’s thoughtfulness and kindness. This flower is often considered positive and vibrant, belonging to the genus Viola, as well as Violet. Violets are the perfect flower to grow up at home or bloom in spacious flower beds and fields.

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