Japanese flowers have been a traditional subject in the country’s art, such as hiragana and haiku. In Japan, flowers are more than just a thing of beauty; they carry stories, emotions, and symbolism that convey values, renewal, love, harmony, and impermanence. In Hanakotoba – the Japanese language of flowers – every flower color reflects a meaning that has been preserved for years.
From the popular Sakura (cherry blossoms) to majestic Wisteria, resilient Plum blossoms, and fresh Lotus flowers, Japanese flower names are staples inseasonally based traditions, festivals, and centuries-old spiritual beliefs.
In this guide, you will learn about 12 stunning Japanese flowers and their meanings, and learn why some types of flowers have significant roles in the culture. Let’s get started!
What is Hanakotoba? The Language of Japanese Flowers
Hanakotoba is the traditional Japanese language of flowers, which is considered a quiet form of communication in Japan. All flowers have their own meanings, making it easy for people to convey emotions, sentiments, and intentions without words.
Hanakotoba had been cultivated over centuries of poetry, art, and seasonal customs. The language of flowers conveys emotions such as love, gratitude, fidelity, loss, and renewal. The significance of a flower may also depend on its color, the season it bloomed, or when it was given.
Understanding Hanakotoba helps explain why Japanese flowers are so inextricably linked to festivals, ceremonies, and everyday life. These meanings influence how flowers are often perceived and sent in Japan. So once you know them, you can buy fresh flowers according to what emotions you want to convey.
Most Beautiful 12 Japanese Flowers and Their Meanings
Now that you know the language of Japanese flowers, let’s move to the list of 12 most beautiful and popular Japanese flowers. This list will not only explain the significance and symbolism of these flowers but also help you choose the right flowers for special occasions.
1) Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
Sakura, also known as cherry blossom are the national flower of Japan. These small pink flowers are integral to Japanese culture and landscape. They bloom in spring and last only 10 days. The significance of sakura in Japanese culture is immense. People come together to enjoy them during the Hanami (flower viewing) festival.
What does the Sakura flower symbolise?
These cherry blossoms symbolise hope, renewal, mortality, and the impermanence of anything in life.
2) Fuji (Wisteria)
Wisteria, also known as Fuji in Japanese. They are seen in different colours, from light purple, violet, pink, to white flowers, which are a key highlight of spring, blooming right after the sakura. Fuji flowers are known to represent good luck, longevity, tenderness, and purity. The long vines of wisteria hold deep cultural significance.
What does the Fuji flower symbolise?
Fuji flowers are a symbol of enduring love and are associated with the aristocracy, symbolising royalty and nobility.
3) Sumire (Violet)
Japanese violet, also known as Sumire, in literal terms means an ink container, and these tiny purple flowers resemble that as well. These flowers bloom in early spring and are also referred to as February birth flowers, and are easy to see along walls and in gardens.
What does the Sumire flower symbolise?
The Sumire (Violet) flowers symbolise sincerity, honesty, and humility.
4) Ume (Japanese Apricot and Plum Blossom)
Ume flowers, also known as plum blossom, are fragrant, pale pink flowers that typically bloom in late winter and mark the beginning of spring. These are long-lasting and used during New Year celebrations to bring good luck to people’s lives.
What does the Ume flower symbolise?
Ume flowers represent new beginnings, hope, patience, resilience, strength, and the arrival of spring.
5) Tsubaki (Camellia)
Tsubaki, also known as Camellia, is available in pink, red, yellow, and white, which are associated with love, desire, anticipation, and appreciation. They usually bloom in winters typically from January to March.
What does the Tsubaki flower symbolise?
The tsubaki flower symbolizes beauty, purity, grace, and the transient nature of life. Tsubaki is a popular choice if you are looking to buy wedding flowers, symbolizing faithfulness and longevity.
6) Kiku ( Chrysanthemum or Mums)
Chrysanthemum in Japanese is called Kiku and is also referred to as a gold flower. They bloom in the autumn season. They are available in a range of colours, including red, yellow, white, and pink. All these colours add meaning to these flowers. Kiku appears on government passports, as it is an imperial Japanese seal.
What does the Kiku flower symbolise?
Kiku flowers are considered a symbol of the sun, longevity, gratitude perfection, nobility, and renewal. If you are looking for flowers for Thanksgiving, kiku is a great option.
7) Ajisayi (Hydrangea Macrophylla)
Hydrangea macrophylla is known as Ajisayi in Japanese. These flowers typically bloom during the peak rainy season (tsuyu) and at the onset of summer. These flowers are known for their colour-changing nature in response to the soil’s pH. All these colours signify various meanings. They also come in white colour flowers, which represent purity, grace, and abundance, the pink hydrangea love, purple royalty, and various others.
What does the Ajisayi flower symbolise?
Ajisayi is a symbol of fleeting beauty, gratitude, heartfelt emotions, forgiveness, and the rainy season.
8) Higanbana (Red Spider Lily)
Higanabana, or the Red Spider Lily, blooms in the late summer and early autumn and is often called the flower of sadness. These flowers are widely used at farewells, in funeral rituals, and to honour the ancestors and the dead.
What does the Higanbana flower symbolise?
Higanbana represents death and rebirth, the afterlife, mourning, transition, and is considered a sign of bad omen.
9) Himawari (Sunflowers)
Sunflowers are commonly referred to as Himawari in Japanese. These large, yellow, smiling flowers bloom in summer and radiate positivity. The significance and popularity of Himawari flowers are immense in Japan; people gather to celebrate them in the Himawari Matsuri festival. Sunflowers are often gifted to express feelings of happiness and adoration, and are considered flowers of love as they express your feelings of appreciation for your partner.
What does the Himawari flower symbolise?
Himawari holds rich cultural significance and symbolises growth, optimism, respect, loyalty, and admiration.
10) Asagao (Morning Glory)
Asagao, in English, is commonly referred to as the Morning Glory, as these little purple colour trumpet-shaped flowers open in bright sunny mornings and wither by midday. The brief duration of these flowers often connotes a brief love, and in flower language, it means obsession. Couples usually exchange these flowers as a symbol of their love and innocence.
What does the Asagao flower symbolise?
Asagao flowers symbolise the fleeting nature of life, strength, resilience, and unrequited love.
11) Hasu (Japanese Lotus)
Hasu flowers, also commonly known as Lotus, have gained significant importance in Japanese culture due to their association with Buddhism. These pink lotuses have a life cycle of 3-4 days and bloom in the dazzling summers. The seeds of the lotus are often used to make a Buddhist rosary.
What does the Hasu flower symbolise?
Hasu flowers are a symbol of a clear outlook, purity, spiritual awakening, beauty, a pure heart, and transformation and rebirth.
12) Shobu (Iris)
Shobu or Iris is considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. Shobu in Japanese means “match” and is associated with victories and defeats. These are important for Samurai families, as they use these flowers to wish their children health and growth so that they become a victorious Samurai. The Iris flowers are a symbol of good news. An Iris necklace is also believed to protect against evil and cleanse the wearer of sins.
What does the Shobu flower symbolise?
Shobu flowers have deep symbolic meanings. They represent hope, protection, the warrior spirit, courage, and enlightenment.
Wrapping it Up
Flowers have always been an integral part of a country’s culture, art, and literature, as well as people’s emotions and feelings. With each passing month, we encounter new flowers blooming around us, symbolising different emotions and teaching us new lessons. Thus, these were among Japan’s most significant flowers, bringing new meaning to life.
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FAQs
What Japanese Flower Symbolizes Life?
The Cherry Blossom (Sakura) is a Japanese flower that symbolizes life.
What Is Japan’s Most Famous Flower?
The most famous flowers in Japan are – Sakura (cherry blossom), which is the national symbol, and Kiku (Chrysanthemum), which serves as the Imperial Seal of Japan.
What Is A Lucky Flower In Japan?
According to Japanese traditions, lotus (hasu), sakura (cherry blossom), and nandina (nanten) are considered some of the luckiest flowers.
What Is The Most Sacred Plant In Japan?
Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) is considered the most sacred plant in Japan. People use its branches as sacred offerings to the local deities. Shinboku, Bamboo, Sakura, and Rohdea japonica are also highly sacred in Japanese culture.
What Flowers Symbolize Love In Japan?
In Japan, flowers that symbolize love include the red rose (akaibara) for passion, red camellias (tsubaki) for deep affection, and red tulips for true love.
What Is This 🌸 Flower Called?
This flow emoji – 🌸is usually called or represents the Cherry Blossom (Sakura). It symbolises spring, beauty, and new arrival in the Japanese culture.
What Flower Has A 24 Hour Bloom?
Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum), also known as the Corpse Flower, is a large 12-foot-long flower and has a 24 hour bloom.
