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Hanakotoba - Meaning of Flowers in Japanese

Have you heard about the language of flowers? Do you know how to say the names of flowers in Japanese? What meanings do flowers have in Japan? In this article, we will explore everything about Hanakotoba [花言葉] and the meanings of flowers in Japanese.

Flowers like sakura and chrysanthemum are national symbols of Japanese culture, and they hold great power in the beauty of the country and in the lives of the Japanese. In Japan, flowers are a traditional gift for both men and women.

They are often used to convey what cannot be said. The language of flowers is known as Hanakotoba [花言葉] and is disappearing. Nowadays, many Japanese people are unaware that flowers have traditional meanings.

However, flower meanings make occasional appearances in modern popular culture such as anime and manga. In this article you will learn both the meaning of flowers and their pronunciation and writing in the Japanese language.

Hanakotoba - meaning of flowers in Japanese

The image above shows a Japanese flower arrangement called Ikebana.

Flowers in Japanese - Meaning of Flowers

Below we will leave a complete list of flowers in Japanese, followed by their writing in kana, their romanization and finally their meaning. If you're on your cell phone, just slide your finger over the table to move it and see it completely.

Flower name Japanese Romaji Meaning
Amaryllis Amaryllis Amaririsu Shy
Ambrosia Ambrosia Amuburoshiā Pious
pansy pansy Panjī thoughtful, caring
Anemone (White) Anemone Anemone Sincere
Aster tataricus Shion Shion Remembrance
Azalea Azalea Azalea patient, modest
Bluebell Bluebell Burūberu Grateful
Cactus Cactus Cactus lust, sex
Camellia (Yellow) Camellia Tsubaki Desire
Camellia (White) Camellia Tsubaki Waiting
Camellia (red) Camellia Tsubaki In love, Perishing with grace
Clove Carnation Kānēshon Fascination, distinction and love
Chrysanthemum (yellow) Yellow chrysanthemum Kigiku Imperial
Chrysanthemum (white) Shiramatsu Shiragiku Truth
Dahlia Bougainvillea Tenjikubotan Good taste
Edelweiss Edelweiss Ēderuwaisu courage, power
Érica Erika Erika Solitude
sweet pea Sweet pea Sweet Pea Goodbye
Cherry blossom Cherry blossom Sakura Kind, Gentle, Transience of Life
Freesia Freesia Furījia Childish, Immature
Fritillaria camschatcensis black lily Kuroyuri love, curse
Gardenia Gardenia Kuchinashi Secret love
Sunflower sunflower Himawari Respect, ionate love, radiance
morning glory Morning glory Morning glory voluntary pledges
Habenaria radiata Heron Grass Sagisō My thoughts will follow you in your dreams
Hibiscus Hibiscus Haibīsukasu □ Kind
Hydrangea Hydrangea Hydrangea Pride
Iris アイリス, 菖蒲 Ayame Good News, Good News, Loyalty
Jasmine Jasmine Jasumin friendly, graceful
Lavender lavender Rabendā Loyal
lily (orange) Koyuri Sayuri hate, revenge
White lily) white lily Shirayuri Purity, Chastity
red spider lily 彼岸花 /曼珠沙華 Higanbana /Manjushage Never to meet again, Lost memory, Abandonment
Lily of the Valley / Spider Lily Lily of the Valley / Lily Suzuran/Yuri Sweet
Lotus Lotus Renge Away from the one he loves, Purity, Chastity
Madressilva Honeysuckle Suikazura Generous
Magnolia Magnolia Magunoria Natural
Daisy Daisy Hinagiku Faith
Do not forget me Forget-me-not Forget-me-not True love
Narcissus daffodil Recommendation Respect
Narcissus daffodil Recommendation Self esteem
Poppy (Yellow) Mustard (Yellow) Keshi(Ki) Success
Poppy (white) Mustard (white) Keshi(Shiro) To cheer up
Poppy (red) Hinamizuki Hinageshi Fun-Loving
Peony peony Botan Bravura
Primula Primrose Sakurasō Desperate
Pink (Yellow) yellow rose Kiiroibara Jealousy
Pink (White) Rose Bara Innocence, Silence, Devotion
rose (pink) Pink Rose Momoirobara Confidence, Happiness, Confidence
Red rose) Red Rose Benibara ionate love
Tiger Lily lily of the valley Oniyuri Wealth
Four-leaf clover (四つ葉の) クローバー (Yotsuba no) kurōbā Fortunately
Tulip (yellow) Tulip Chūrippu One-sided love
Tulip (red) Tulip Chūrippu Fame, Charity, Trust
Verbena Beautiful Cherry Blossom Bijozakura Cooperative
Violet Violet Sumire Honesty
Mistletoe / Holly Mistletoe/Holly Yadorigi/Hōrii Seeking (Single and "-")
Zinnia zinnia Hyakunichisou Fidelity

Meaning of flowers - Japan x West

What do you think about briefly comparing the meaning of Japanese flowers with the meaning of flowers in the West? Are there any differences? Take a look at our old list of hanakotoba before the update of this article.

Red rose (Akaibara, 赤い薔薇) - It means romance just like the Western meaning.

White Rose (Shiroibara, 白い薔薇) - In Japan it means Innocence, Devotion and Silence. In the West it means Virtue and Chastity.

Yellow Rose (Kiiroibara, 黄色い薔薇) - In Japan it means Jealousy and Envy. In the West it means Friendship and Devotion.

Pink Rose (Pinku no bara, ピンクの薔薇) - In Japan it means Trust and Happiness. In the West it means Grace, Elegance and Delicacy.

Clove (Kaneshon, カ ー ネ ー シ ョ ン) - In Japan carnations literally mean love, red carnations are a great gift for Mother's Day. In the west it depends on the color, red means romantic love, yellow means rejection.

Hanakotoba - meaning of flowers in Japanese

Amarílis (Amaririsu, アマリリス) - The Japanese meaning is "shy" and the Western meaning is "pride."

Red tulip (Akaichurippu, 赤いチューリップ) - In Japan it means "Fame" in the West it means eternal love.

Yellow Tulip (Kiiroichurippu, 黄色チューリップ) - In Japan it means a one-sided (unrequited) love, in the West it means the same thing, but it also means an impossible love.

Primula (Sakuraso, 桜草) - In Japan it means despair, in the West it means eternal love, pure friendship and kindness.

Hanakotoba - meaning of flowers in Japanese
A flower called Primrose

Sweet Pea Flower (Suitopi, スイートピー) - In Japanese it means Goodbye, a farewell.

Bluebell or Azul (Buruberu, ブルーベル) - Both in Japan and in the West it means "Gratitude".

Cactus Flower (saboten no hana, さぼてんの花) - In Japan it means lust, in the West it means a mother's love.

Daffodil (Suisen, 水仙) - In Japan it means "Respect" in the West it means chivalry or unrequited love.

Camellia (Tsubaki 椿) - In Japan the red Camellia means "Love" for the samurai it means "bad luck". The yellow camellia means longing. The White Camellia means "Wait" and in the West both colors mean Excellence.

White Chrysanthemum (Shiragiku, 白菊) - In Japan it means truth or sadness, it is the most common flower used at funerals. In the West it means death and mourning.

Camelia
A flower called Camellia

Sakura - Meaning of Cherry Blossom [桜] [櫻]

Sakura (桜) literally means cherry tree and is one of the main symbols of Japanese culture. THE cherry blossom, has such an intense meaning and symbolism that it would require a long article to discuss it. But I will summarize:

the cherry blossom means a female beauty and symbolizes the love, a happiness, a renewal and a hope. It also symbolizes the clouds as they bloom in mass. A the transience of flowers, their extreme beauty and quick death, has often been associated with mortality.

Hanakotoba - meaning of flowers in Japanese
Sakura blossoms in an event called Hanami

The sakura is a good luck charm and is also an emblem of love, affection and represents spring. Sakura Blossom is divided into more than 300 varieties of cherry trees, and they refer to many other different meanings.

The fruit of the cherry tree, the cherry, is considered the greatest symbol of sensuality, eroticism, and sexuality, mainly due to its intense red color. The sakura is so appreciated that every year during spring it is enjoyed at a festival called Hanami.

Of course, there are countless meanings of Sakura and other flowers that haven't been mentioned, otherwise the article would turn into a book. Thanks to everyone who read the article and the comments and shares. Which flower do you like the most?