Hanakotoba is the Japanese language of flowers. I get a monthly e-mail newsletter from the flowershopnetwork.com and this fascinating piece was in today's mail. Mandy Maxwell wrote that "Not only did the Western world have its own coded, flower language, the East had one as well— Hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers. Although, obviously not as popular today as it once was, Hanakotoba is still used in many Japanese movies and animations." I'm wondering if this is knowledge I can use with haiku.
I have added the Western (Victorian) meanings for the flowers given in the Hanakotoba list. I wanted to see if there is an intersection of meanings in the two cultures. There frequently is. Now we know.
| Kanji | English | Hanakotoba meaning | Victorian meaning |
| アマリリス | Amarylis | shy | pride, pastoral poetry, radiant beauty |
| アネモネ | Anemone (white) | sincere | forsaken, anticipation |
| 椿 | Camelia (red) | in love | you're a flame in my heart |
| 椿 | Camelia (yellow) | longing | not given |
| 椿 | Camelia (white) | waiting | you're adorable |
| カーネーション | Carnation | passion | fascination, woman's love, pride |
| 桜 | Cherry Blossom | kind, gentle | not given |
| 黄菊 | Chrysanthemum (yellow) | imperial, elegant | slighted love |
| 白菊 | Chrysanthemum (white) | truth, self-esteem | truth |
| 水仙 | Daffodil | respect | regard, unrequited love, you're the only one. The sun is always shining when I'm with you, chivalry |
| 天竺牡丹 | Dahlia | good taste | dignity, elegance, good taste |
| 雛菊 | Daisy | faith | innocence, loyal love, purity, I'll never tell |
| 勿忘草 | Forget-me-not | true love | true love, memories |
| フリージア | Freesia | immaculate | trust, innocence |
| 梔子 | Gardenia | secret love, pure | you're lovely, secret love |
| 紫陽花 | Hydrangea/td> | pride | frigidity, heartlessness. Thank you for understanding. |
| アイリス / 菖蒲 | Iris | noble heart, good news | Your friendship means so much to me. Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, faith, hope, wisdom and valor. My compliments. |
| 白百合 | Lily (white) | purity | virginity, purity, majesty. It's heavenly to be with you. |
| 百合 | Lily of the Valley | sweet, promise of happiness | sweetness, tears of the Virgin Mary, return to happiness, humility. You've made my life complete. |
| 鬼百合 | Tiger Lily | wealth | wealth, pride |
| マグノリア | Magnolia | natural, love for nature | nobility |
| 雛芥子 | Poppy | comfort | eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination |
| 紅薔薇 | Rose (red) | love, in love/td> | love, I love you. |
| 薔薇 | Rose (white) | innocence, devotion | innocence and purity, secrecy and silence. I am worthy of you. You are heavenly. |
| 桃色薔薇 | Rose (pink) | trust, confidence | thankfulness, perfect happiness, Please believe me. |
| 黄色薔薇 | Rose (yellow) | noble | decrease of love, jealousy, try to care |
| チューリップ | Tulip | charity, trust | perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland |
_/\_/\_
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for visiting and for your comments!