Not only Sakura: the favorite flowers of Japanese artists

Chrysanthemums (Kiku)

An autumnal frost resistant type — the second highest blooming plant in Japan (after Sakura). Its importance and symbolism

Exquisite still-lifes and marvelous plants on canvases: flowers do not only beautify the appearance, but also open secret meanings, and convey messages to the attentive researcher. Leafing through captivating Herbarium, we're examining enigmatic garden of flower symbols.

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Symbolism is an art movement that has been reflected in painting, literature and music. It emerged in the 1870s-1880s in France, later spread to Belgium, Norway, and the Russian Empire. It reached the peak of popularity at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Symbolism is characterized by sadness, introspection and understatement: as if an artist came to quiet despair, but he was too shy to talk about these feelings, so he painted them.



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has embedded in the name itself: Chrysanthemum in Japanese is written in the same way as the source of all life on earth — the sun. Furthermore, the chrysanthemum of 16 petals for many centuries is the Imperial Family Seal. In the absence of the state emblem this Seal is used on the coins, the covers of Japanese passports, postage stamps, in diplomatic institutions and so on. And the most honorable award of the country, which can only receive its subject, is called the Order of the Chrysanthemum.

Peonies

Historians date the arrival of the tree peonies in Japan from China to the 8th century CE. They were brought by Buddhist monks. Flower gained very soon nationwide recognition and became an elite culture, which originally was to be found only in the gardens of the highest nobility. It was cultivated in every way, there were created clubs everywhere, which were engaged in breeding of its unique varieties and strictly complied, and guarded the established standards. It was forbidden to export this plant out of the country, and only at the end of the feudal period, when Japan became more open to foreigners, tree peonies began to appear in Europe. And pion flower growers-amateur's clubs, although lost its former elitism, exist and flourish to this day.

Hydrangeas

The appearance of the flower, which Japanese call "ajisai", according to legend, is associated with the Buddha’s Birth: on this day the heavens poured down rain of beautiful flowers and drops of sweet nectar ama-cha. Therefore, when the Buddha’s birthday is celebrated at Buddhist temples, there are brewed a huge capacitance with tea of hydrangeas and invited everyone to have tea. It is believed that the ama-cha, meaning sweet tea, is able to protect from evil spirits and poisonous insects, and snakes. Before sugar was appeared in Japan, there was used syrup of hydrangeas instead. By the way, the name hortensia, the European name of the flower "ajisai", was first used by French scientist Philibert Commerson. Faced with an unfamiliar plant during the world trip in 1767, he was so fascinated by its beauty that he called a new kind of flower for European in honor of his beloved Hortensia.

Irises

Due to the sharp sword-like leaves, iris had long been revered in Japan as the flower of the samurai. Now it is the main symbol of Boys' Festival, which is celebrated on May 5th. This is a day for families to celebrate their sons' strength and character. On this day, irises appear in every home, where there are growing up representatives of male, in any form: from the image on the toy armor and ending with a traditional dessert in the shape of a flower. Already since the 9th century irises were grown in the Imperial Parks and temple buildings, and in the 17th century, the admiration of blooming irises was amusement, affordable and to mere mortals. Now, in the midst of their blooming, tourists come from all over the world to Japan on the festivals, because here there were deduced hundreds of different types of flower most every possible shades and shapes.

Hibiscuses

In Japan, there are different types of hibiscus: Sui-Fuyo, also known as wood lotus, and mukuge, known as the Syrian hibiscus. Due to the properties of the plant — disease resistance and long blooming period (from July to October) — it is revered as a symbol of resistance and vitality. And because it gives a lot of new inflorescences, constantly replacing each other throughout the season, hibiscus also symbolizes abundance.

Camellias

Another symbol of resistance and longevity, because of its ability to withstand even harsh frosts. At first there were of the view that camellia is a flower of samurai, and only Japanese warriors were allowed to grow it or to adorn themselves. But the tradition was interrupted by the superstition that camellia brings samurai misfortune: allegedly if they touch it, they will risk of losing their heads, literally. Among other things, from ancient times this flower was a symbol of the sun goddess of the Shinto religion, Amaterasu. But after appearance Christianity in Japan, camellia began to be used instead of a cross, which was forbidden to wear by local Christians.

Wisterias

Wisteria’s gardens of wide variety of shades are one of the most popular and the most exciting tourist attractions of Japan. The symbol of elegance, youth and grace in Japanese is called as well as the sacred Fuji Mountain — Fuji tree. According to local legend, a goddess named Fuji-hime (or Konohanasakuya-hime) lives on the mountain, enclosing it from desecration. Her souvenir figure, which can be purchased in tourists' shops, traditionally depicted with a branch of wisteria on the shoulder.

Ipomoea (Morning glories)

Like many things, ipomoea (morning glory) came from China to Japan — as the medicinal culture. The flower became particularly popular during the Edo period. That’s when Japanese people got carried away by the breeding new varieties of plants, experimenting with shades, size and shape of of inflorescences. Because the blossomed flower is short-lived and rapidly fades, being ripped off, he fit into the Buddhist philosophy of the fragility and flowability of life in the best possible way.

Lilies

Initially attitude to the flower, imported from Europe, was unenviable: it was considered too bright and flashy and symbolized the provincial and bad taste. For the Japanese, who valued elegance and delicacy, much of this plant was excessive: the flavor, the size of inflorescences. But over time, the symbolism

Exquisite still-lifes and marvelous plants on canvases: flowers do not only beautify the appearance, but also open secret meanings, and convey messages to the attentive researcher. Leafing through captivating Herbarium, we're examining enigmatic garden of flower symbols.

Read more

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Symbolism is an art movement that has been reflected in painting, literature and music. It emerged in the 1870s-1880s in France, later spread to Belgium, Norway, and the Russian Empire. It reached the peak of popularity at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Symbolism is characterized by sadness, introspection and understatement: as if an artist came to quiet despair, but he was too shy to talk about these feelings, so he painted them.



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of lilies and associations with strangers was gradually relegated to second place, and with a change in foreign policy in the 19th century, it became to mean the country’s openness to contacts with the outside world. They were beginning to depict lilies as a pattern on garments and household items.

Roses

Wild rose varieties were popular since time immemorial, and in the XII century it came from China as a garden culture. When the European varieties appeared in the Edo period in Japan, it caused quite a sensation. As in our tradition, the rose is one of the noble plant, and the symbolism

Exquisite still-lifes and marvelous plants on canvases: flowers do not only beautify the appearance, but also open secret meanings, and convey messages to the attentive researcher. Leafing through captivating Herbarium, we're examining enigmatic garden of flower symbols.

Read more

---

Symbolism is an art movement that has been reflected in painting, literature and music. It emerged in the 1870s-1880s in France, later spread to Belgium, Norway, and the Russian Empire. It reached the peak of popularity at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Symbolism is characterized by sadness, introspection and understatement: as if an artist came to quiet despair, but he was too shy to talk about these feelings, so he painted them.



Read more

of it is similar: it is the flower of love. Certain analogies can be identified even by the color values: rose of deep red color means passion, white — innocent or first love, pink — indecisive, modest-hearted love.

Japanese cherry blossoms (sakura)

Hors concours is the popularly favorite in Japan Sakura (of course it is). So much is written and said about the significance of cherry blossoms for citizens of country. The period of beginning of flowering trees is monitored by special meteorological reports in one or another of its points to know when it is possible to spend hanami — the traditional favorite picnic under the shadow of fragrant Sakura. There is even a Japanese Association Sakura (like there is any doubt), released the top 100 gardens and parks for admiring its blossoming in all corners of the country.