Flowers of the Empire. Japan. Chrysanthemum Festival and Autumn Equinox Day The symbol of Japan is the flower shown in the picture

Chrysanthemums smell like autumn. Their cold, bitter aroma speaks of the coming winter. But bright sunny flowers until the first snow allows us to keep summer in the garden...

Carl Linnaeus called this plant “golden” ( chrysos) "flower" ( anthemos). And he wasn't original. Because in Japan, where these flowers came from to Europe, they were simply called “ Kiku" - "Sun". From the sun, as the story goes ancient legend, the Japanese people, the Yamato, “people of the sun”, also arose...

Ninth month of the year lunar calendar and the ninth day of this month is called "chrysanthemum". It is believed that flowers picked on this day have magical power: restore youth and health. A mysterious remedy is prepared from autumn flowers and pine resin, the use of which protects against old age. Infused with chrysanthemum petals, it prolongs life up to 8000 years (???): Hassennen- “many years”, “eternity”...

Kikkamonsho - a stylized golden chrysanthemum flower with 16 double petals - is the emblem of the Imperial House of Japan. Japanese name this symbol - ???? ( kikukamonsho / kikkamonsho) - “coat of arms in the form of a chrysanthemum flower” or????? ( yae-juroku-kiku) - “eight-layer” or “terry” chrysanthemum with 16 petals.

Figure of the Japanese Emperor ( tenno??) was sacred: shrouded in a mystical aura, it never became the subject of pictorial or verbal depiction. From time immemorial, the emperor did not leave the capital, did not travel, and did not act as supreme commander in chief during military operations. The main function of tenno is to stay in the palace - the sacred center of Shintoism. He is the high priest, he was worshiped as a living deity, but he was obliged to maintain ritual purity and therefore did not touch worldly affairs. The very fact of his being on the throne was the most reliable guarantee that things in the country are going as they should...

Tenno heika banzai

At the heart of Japanese patriotism was devotion to the Emperor - not to the homeland, but to the individual:

I will die too
And all my relatives, enemies, friends -
Everything is mortal on earth.
But the earth itself and the sky will not die,
And the son of Heaven is a divine tenno...

The title “Mikado”, by which the emperor was better known in Europe, meant “High Gate” and was the name of the Japanese government, never applied by the Japanese themselves to the person of the Sovereign (an illustrative coincidence: the official title of the government of the Ottoman Empire was “High Porte”, from the French “La Sublime Porte”, which, in turn, was a literal translation of the Arabic “Bab-i-Ali” - “The High Gate”. This was, again, not the name of the Sultan himself, but the office of the Grand Vizier).

The Emperor of Japan did not have a surname because the position ruling house in the country it was so unique and strong that he simply did not need any surname. The dynasty was uninterrupted for one and a half thousand years - no wonder that one of the symbols of longevity became the emblem of the monarch. Chrysanthemum is a flower with which hopes for a long life are associated...

The officially stylized image of a chrysanthemum flower with 16 petals was recognized as the coat of arms of the ruling imperial house in 1869 by order of the Meiji government. And in 1871, a decree was issued that secured the privilege of the imperial house to use the symbol: the image of a chrysanthemum was considered sacred, the right to it, in particular, to wear clothes with a pattern of a 16-petal flower, belonged exclusively to members of the imperial family.

Of course, European coats of arms look more impressive than the laconic Japanese ones. However, neither by design nor by historical significance“mons” (as family coats of arms are called in Japan) are not inferior to the symbols of Europe. They are simpler, but aesthetically more elegant and sophisticated. The Japanese measure of beauty are concepts that are rooted in ancient religion Shinto and Buddhist philosophy. Anything that is unnatural cannot be beautiful. In addition, this is the absence of anything pretentious, flashy, deliberate, that is, in the minds of the Japanese, vulgar. This is the beauty of the ordinary, wise restraint, the beauty of simplicity...

It is believed that the Japanese Emperor Suiko (554-628) was the first to acquire his own symbols, who ordered his military flags to be decorated with a certain design. One of the first chronicles of the country, “Nihonshoki,” told about this. According to experts in Japanese heraldry, there were only six main thematic varieties of mons: plants, animals, natural phenomena, objects made by people, abstract drawings and hieroglyphs. The most common were images of flowers, trees, leaves... It was enough to slightly modify the pattern, for example, add a couple of veins in the design of a plant leaf, a petal in an inflorescence, make one or another feature of the pattern wider, and you get a new pattern...

In Japan, there was no state emblem and does not exist to this day: the symbol of the Motherland was associated with the personal monom of the Emperor...

You can often find a simpler image: an 11-petal chrysanthemum flower ( juichikiku), and shown with reverse side (rimen juichikiku), or a much more significant heraldic image of a flower with fourteen petals - a similar coat of arms, in the form of a stylized 14-petal chrysanthemum ( jushikiku), members of the imperial family had the right to use. Since the 14th century for special military merits. Particularly distinguished generals were also given the honor of using this coat of arms.

An American admiral who served in naval intelligence wrote in his memoirs: “ We gathered in the living room in a lively pre-dinner mood. I noticed that Captain 3rd Rank Jo, one of Yamaguchi’s assistants, was sitting at a table on which lay a silver cigarette case with the coat of arms of the imperial family engraved on it: fourteen chrysanthemum petals around a circle symbolizing rising Sun. (The emperor himself had a coat of arms with sixteen petals, while other members of the imperial family were limited to fourteen). I saw his gaze slide over the beautiful silver cigarette case and stop at the petals. A sudden tension came over him and he sat up straight in his chair; There was not a shadow of good-natured condescension left on his face; now it expressed solemn attention, almost devotion. He seemed to not believe his eyes. Then, raising forefinger, he began to count the petals: one, two, three... twelve, thirteen, fourteen. The coat of arms of the imperial family!
When he reached the fourteenth petal, an expression of special solemnity appeared on his face, his hands fell on his knees and, sitting in a chair, he bowed deeply to his cigarette case» …

In the minds of the Japanese, chrysanthemum and the Sun are inseparable. Even the words denoting these concepts sound the same - “kiku” and are depicted with the same hieroglyph. So the main flower of Japan is named after the luminary, from whom, according to legend, the Japanese people trace their history.

A very honorable place is given to the chrysanthemum in state symbols. Presumably since the 7th century, when a design of a chrysanthemum adorned the blade of the Mikado, it has been considered the emblem of Japanese emperors. A stylized golden flower with sixteen double petals still remains the coat of arms of the Imperial House, and sometimes serves as the state emblem: on coins, seals and official documents. It was this image of the chrysanthemum that was considered sacred; the right to it, in particular, to wear clothes with a pattern of a 16-petal flower, belonged exclusively to members of the imperial family. Ordinary Japanese who violated this order faced the death penalty. The same chrysanthemum adorns the Order of the Chrysanthemum, established in 1888 and to this day considered the highest and most honorable award in the country. However, for the Japanese, a solar flower is not just a symbol frozen in metal. This plant in Japan is surrounded by love and care. The Japanese have no equal in the industrial cultivation of chrysanthemums, in the creation of new varieties with a variety of shapes and colors. Apparently, due to its long flowering period, the chrysanthemum represents happiness and longevity. There is a belief that dew collected from chrysanthemums prolongs life.

The highest Japanese order is the Order of the Chrysanthemum
This order exists in two degrees: the Order of the Chrysanthemum with a chain and the Order of the Chrysanthemum on a Grand Ribbon.
The highest Japanese award - Order of the Chrysanthemum with chain was established by Imperial Edict No. 1 of January 4, 1888, which states that it is “awarded to those who are already holders of the Order of the Chrysanthemum on the Grand Ribbon.” Only princes of the imperial family, the highest aristocracy, national heroes and heads can be awarded the Order of the Chrysanthemum with a chain foreign countries.

The actual chain of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum has 12 links made of gold. These links are interspersed with gold chains by thirty medallions with gold chrysanthemums surrounded by leaves covered with green enamel.
The badge of the Order of the Chrysanthemum with a chain with a diameter of 60 mm is made of gold. In its center there is a strongly convex sphere (cabochon) made of Japanese red enamel, reminiscent of a ruby in appearance. It is surrounded by 32 white enamel double arms of varying lengths that form a cross. The cross is framed by leaves made in green enamel and four symmetrically arranged chrysanthemum flowers covered with yellow enamel. The badge of the order is attached to the chain using a large pendant in the shape of a chrysanthemum, covered with yellow enamel. The order badge and chain contain 300 grams of 950-carat gold.
Order of the Chrysanthemum on the Grand Cordon intended to reward Japanese and foreigners from among the members of the imperial and royal families and the highest aristocracy, as well as heads of foreign states.

The badge of the Order of the Chrysanthemum on the Grand Cordon has the same appearance, same as the badge of the Order of the Chrysanthemum with chain.
Apart from members of the Imperial House, only 13 Japanese nationals have received this highest honor. Their list is currently “closed” by former prime ministers Yoshida Shigeru and Sato Eisaku, who were awarded posthumously in 1967 and 1975, respectively.
The Order of the Chrysanthemum with Chain was awarded to US President D. Eisenhower (1960), Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain (1962), and senior leaders of Malaysia, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia.

The chrysanthemum was depicted on coins

Late autumn

No flower compares

With white chrysanthemum.

Give her your place,

Stay away from it, morning frost! Saigyo

Chrysanthemum - Japan's favorite, it has been cultivated here since time immemorial. This is a national flower, the entire population is fond of it, from the Mikado to the last rickshaw puller. Her image is sacred, and according to state laws, only members of the imperial house have the right to wear material with her design. The rest Violations of this law are punishable by death. Any attempt to depict this emblem of the Japanese empire and symbol of imperial power is punishable by death, and therefore the Japanese government sometimes even resorts to depicting it to prevent the counterfeiting of government banknotes.

So, several years ago the director of the government printing house of state postage stamps resorted to the image of a chrysanthemum in order to prevent the fabrication of ancient postage stamps, which were acquired willingly and for a lot of money by foreign collectors. But cunning forgers bypassed him. As is known, Only the symbolic chrysanthemum (golden flower) with 16 petals enjoys the power of government protection. Japanese artists, very cunning and dexterous in imitation, perfectly reproduced a whole series of “antique” postage stamps, but depicted a flower with only 14 and 15 petals. If a flower had 16 petals, counterfeiters would be in danger of being subjected to hara-kiri, and no one has the right to persecute them for chrysanthemums with fewer or more petals, and they calmly continue to sell their counterfeit brands to inexperienced lovers for good money.

Itsukushima Sacred Gate

There are two types of regular passports, with different validity periods: five and ten years. Citizens under 19 years of age can only obtain a five-year passport, while those 20 years of age or older can choose which passport to use: a five-year (blue cover) or a ten-year (red cover) passport for a different application fee.

As for the fake of the real state emblem of the chrysanthemum with 16 petals, the Japanese, strictly observing and respecting all the laws of their country, never even tried to reproduce it; at least until recently there was not even such an attempt. The image of this flower is placed on the national flag, on coins and on the highest Japanese order, which even bears the name of the Order of the Chrysanthemum. The reason for such high veneration of this flower by the Japanese is best explained by its very name: “kiku” (sun). He is their symbol of this luminary, which gives life to everything on earth. The chrysanthemum began to be used as such a symbol of power in Japan, apparently a very long time ago, back in the 12th century, evidence of which is the first image of it on the saber blade of the Mikado who reigned at that time. One of the most beloved national flowers in Japan is associated with this flower. national holidays- Chrysanthemum holiday. To explain such a celebration, it must first of all be said that, as is known, in Japan and China there are no Sundays, and therefore weekdays, working days, would have to follow continuously in tedious monotony all year round, do not create holidays for your people that would break this monotony and bring some amount of fun into life.

And among this kind of festivities Flower holidays occupy the first place among the Japanese.
In February, holidays are held to celebrate the flowering of sli in March - peaches, in April - cherries, in May - more commonly known as wisteria, in June - bindweed and peonies, in October - chrysanthemums, and in the fall people quit work and run to admire the reddening and yellowing foliage of Japanese maples . They are distinguished by the greatest luxury and charm spring holiday- cherry blossoms and autumn - chrysanthemum blossoms.

This wonderful tradition is still alive: since 831, it has been customary in Japan to celebrate the Chrysanthemum Festival. One of the most beautiful and beloved by the Japanese, this holiday is held annually in the fall.To this day, festivals and exhibitions of these sunny flowers and compositions from them are held in the capital and other Japanese cities, to create which plants are taken only from the roots in order to preserve their freshness and beauty for as long as possible. And in one of the largest centers of Japanese floriculture, the city of Nihonmatsu, in the fall there is an exhibition of chrysanthemum dolls. The base of the human-sized figures is made of bamboo, the face, arms and legs are made of papier-mâché, and the costumes are “sewn” from flowers of various shades. During the holiday, as in ancient times, you can try a chrysanthemum drink. They say it is healing and pleasant to the taste.

exhibition of ningyo dolls made from living chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum not just loved - she is worshiped from young to old, from the emperor to the last beggar. Since ancient times, when chrysanthemums bloomed, simple people they decorated houses with them, and the nobility rode on “chrysanthemum” boats. They wrote poems about chrysanthemums, sang songs, and organized poetry competitions for their sake.These poems were and are written in ink on long strips of paper and glued to trees.; so that not only people read them, but even the wind, as it were, spreads the news about them around the world.

Quiet morning
A monk sipping tea -
Chrysanthemum flowers.
Quiet morning
looking at chrysanthemums,
The hermit drinks tea. Basho
(Translation by Dmitry Smirnov)

The history of this chrysanthemum festival began when kugatsu-sekku, the festival of the ninth moon, was first celebrated at the emperor’s court, and they began to celebrate it on the 9th of the 9th month according to the lunar calendar and changed the name to Choyo-sekku - the choice of date was not accidental: nine in the Eastern tradition it is considered lucky number, and two nines in a row (hidden in the name of the holiday) mean “longevity.” Since the chrysanthemum is a symbol of longevity, the holiday will later receive a second name - the Chrysanthemum Festival. During the Tokugawa era he became one of the public holidays

Gosekku.

A popular motif in irezumi is an indicator of courage, fearlessness, greatness and nobility. The chrysanthemum was also a symbol of Japanese suicide pilots (kamikaze) going on missions Nowadays, the Japanese create amazingly beautiful wagashi sweets. For seasonal holidays, they prepare something completely special: for example, in September you can see wagashi in the shape of a kiku flower, chrysanthemum, moon, rabbit, and maple leaves.

Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves are wonderful food.
They have been used as food to improve health for several centuries and not only in Japan. It is known that chrysanthemum nourishes not only the body, but also the soul. These flowers resist the breath of autumn and the gray hairs of winter; they help a person survive harsh times, store and retain vitality.
Young leaves and flowers of the annual vegetable chrysanthemum, which contain many useful substances, are used as food. Young leaves are especially useful in early spring or late autumn. They eat chrysanthemum flowers and leaves little by little: this is quite enough to improve health.

And the moth arrived!
He also drinks an incense infusion
From chrysanthemum petals.
Matsuo Basho

The edible leaves of the vegetable chrysanthemum are called shungiku in Japan. They have an interesting pleasant smell and a spicy taste that decorates any dish (they are boiled for several minutes, squeezed out, finely chopped and served with seasoning). From fresh vegetable chrysanthemum leaves pre-boiled in salted water, you can prepare delicious salad, seasoning for meat or fish, mashed potatoes and sandwiches. They add a piquant taste to omelettes and egg dishes. They can be dried, ground and used in dried form as a healthy and pleasant seasoning for food.

The soul rests and heals only by admiring flowers. Chrysanthemums are a symbol of joy and laughter. It is believed that chrysanthemums bring happiness, success, luck, and have the ability to ward off illness and misfortune. According to ancient tradition, a chrysanthemum petal is still placed at the bottom of a sake bowl to live a long and healthy life.
The Japanese believe that dew collected from chrysanthemums prolongs life. With a cloth soaked in the dew of chrysanthemums, Japanese beauties wiped the face to preserve youth and beauty.
Matsuo Basho
The old woman destroys the rice
And next to it is a sign of longevity -
Chrysanthemums in bloom.

The name "chrysanthemum" comes from two Greek words: chrysos - “golden” and anthemis - “flower”, which is explained by the natural yellow color of chrysanthemum inflorescences, reminiscent of a crown of small jagged petals.
There were special beliefs and rituals associated with chrysanthemums. Wishing someone health and longevity, they presented sake with chrysanthemum petals. They also made an infusion of flowers, leaves and stems of chrysanthemums, which they kept for a whole year and drank only on the next holiday. The beauties wiped their faces with a cloth soaked in the dew of chrysanthemums in order to preserve youth and beauty. In the Heian era, chrysanthemum flowers were used to "prevent misfortunes"" - they were wrapped in cotton cloth so that it was saturated with aroma and then they wiped the body with this cloth, for the sake of health and longevity. Today the most beautiful girls The Japanese call them O-Kiku-san, comparing them to the kiku chrysanthemum and the sun.

bonsai

Japan even owes its origin to the chrysanthemum. In ancient times, the legend says, a cruel emperor ruled in China. One day he heard a rumor that across the sea, on an island, a magical flower was growing - a chrysanthemum. An elixir of longevity can be prepared from the juice of this flower. But only a person with a pure heart and good intentions can pick a flower. The emperor and his courtiers had black and evil hearts, and the emperor sent three hundred young boys and girls to the island in his place. But none of them returned to the emperor: fascinated by the beauty of the island, they founded a new state - Japan...

Coat of arms and flag of Japan

Imperial Seal of Japan(Japanese: 菊の御紋kiku no gomon?) - a symbol in the form of a yellow or orange 16-petal chrysanthemum. Since the Kamakura period, it has been considered the emblem of Japanese emperors and members of the Japanese imperial family. The imperial seal is sometimes used as a national emblem, although there is no official national emblem in Japan. The image of the imperial seal consists of a central circle surrounded by sixteen petals, with a second row of petals surrounding the outside.

The chrysanthemum was first used as a personal seal by Emperor Go-Toba. The image of the chrysanthemum has been adopted as the mona of the imperial house since 1869. During the Meiji Restoration, according to the 1871 decree, no one was allowed to use this seal except the Emperor of Japan. After World War II, this ban was lifted. Each member of the imperial family had their own modified version of the imperial seal with 14 petals. Shinto shrines also use the imperial seal or part of it in a modified form. Currently symbolic image chrysanthemums are used in the premises of the Japanese Parliament and diplomatic institutions, on the attributes of politicians, and are also placed on the covers of Japanese foreign passports.

Japan flag(Japanese: 日章旗Nisshoki?, solar flag) is a white canvas with a large red circle in the middle, representing the rising sun. According to legend, the tradition of this flag dates back to the 13th century, from the time Mongol invasion to Japan. The flag was offered to the Japanese emperor, considered a descendant of the Sun Goddess, by Buddhist monks. The flag began to be considered as a state flag during the era of national restoration after 1868.

The flag has an aspect ratio of 2:3 and is the state and civil flag of Japan, as well as the state and civil pennant (badge). Officially in Japan the flag is called "Nisshoki" (Japanese: 日章旗), "solar flag", but the more common variant is "Hinomaru" (Japanese: 日の丸, alternative spelling "Hi-no-maru"), "sun disk". Hinomaru's exact origins are unknown. One legend credits the creation of the flag Buddhist monk Nichiren. According to legend, during the Mongol invasion of the Japanese Islands, Nichiren presented the flag to the shogun.

Ikebana

About 350 species of wild chrysanthemum grow in Japan.

The most common types:

大菊(一輪菊) Ookiku, Itirinku - large, curling chrysanthemum:

厚物 Atsushimono, 厚走り Atsushi-hashiri - rounded:

管物 Kanbutsu - needle-shaped:

Seen everything in the world

My eyes are back

To you, white chrysanthemums. Issho

« Flower lover! You have become inconspicuously a Slave of chrysanthemums» - these words Yesa Busona reflect the deep attraction that gives rise to the calm charm of this flower in the hearts of true connoisseurs of beauty.

Greetings, curious readers of my blog! How many of you are sure that you know what flower is the symbol of Japan? Until recently, I had no doubt that sakura is the main pride of the Japanese people and a real symbol of a wonderful country. However, there is another elegant plant that means a lot to the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun. But I will talk about this below.

Japanese cherry

When TV programs talk about this country, they always show a video or photo of cherry blossoms. Delicate white and pink flowers, attract attention, exude a light aroma and present a delightful sight. If you've never seen Japanese cherry blossoms, it's definitely worth a look! It's just a fairy tale. In many parks, along roads, near some offices or cafes in Japan, entire alleys of magnificent trees are planted.

What does sakura symbolize?

The sakura branch represents various interesting moments, I’ll tell you more about this.

Human life.

A certain period, from March to April (depending on the area), does not last long, thereby showing how fleeting, but at the same time beautiful our life is. Everything in it is natural: birth, life, withering and death.

Prosperity. During cherry blossoms, religious holidays also take place, part of which are prayers asking for good harvest.

Purity and beauty. The Japanese associate cherry blossom petals with their women. They are also pure and beautiful. There are even Japanese name, which girls are called - “Sakura”, the personification of these qualities.

Waiting for something new. They say that the appearance pink flowers coincides with the time when in Japan they used to meet New Year. We all know that every year is marked by the expectation of magic, new achievements and positive changes.

Sakura flowers are used in Everyday life. Images of amazing flowers adorn clothing, household items, writing paper and other things surrounding the Japanese.

Bloom Day

The main spring event is “hanami” (花見・“hana” is a flower, and “mi” is to look, admire). This is an ancient Japanese tradition of celebrating cherry blossom days; it has existed for centuries. Although it is not officially celebrated, and there are no specific days off for this, it is infinitely important for all Japanese. People gather in families and couples in squares and parks where cherries grow.

They take bento (packed lunch boxes) with them and eat in nature, admiring the luxurious view. Often during such holidays, girls and children wear (national costume), music plays, and there are tents selling various goodies.

It can be fried hot noodles with meat and vegetables with sauce (“yaki soba”), corn cooked on the grill (I probably love it the most), donut-like pastries (“baby castela”) and many other tasty things.

There is a mobile shooting range for children, catching goldfish with a special paper net (a popular Japanese pastime - goldfish swim in a wide “basin”. You pay money, they give you a net, how many fish you catch before the net breaks, you can take home so many, i.e. e. take it to your aquarium). Sometimes it happens that not one is caught, but there are also professionals :-).

Chrysanthemum - a symbol of the Empire

Now this bright flower, imported from China, is revered in Japan as a symbol of the Sun. There is a belief that in ancient times one of the Japanese emperors, who was partial to the chrysanthemum, made its image with his seal. So, over time, the flower turned into the coat of arms of the imperial family. And subsequently, it grew into a symbol of the entire Japanese Empire.

Now the flower and the sun merge into one whole in the minds of the people of Japan, the words even have the same sound and hieroglyph. And the highest award in this country, as you probably already guessed, is the Order of the Chrysanthemum. Japanese coins also did not stand aside, for example, on 50 yen, there is an image of this sunny flower.

What does it symbolize

But at the same time, unlike sakura, chrysanthemum has a slightly different meaning. It is considered a more formal flower, often used in ritual services. For example, relatives and friends visiting graves dear people, carry chrysanthemum flowers with them.

Chrysanthemum is a multifaceted flower symbolizing “nobility”, “purity”, “faith”, “love”.

If we consider what the colors of chrysanthemums mean, we get the following:

As a rule, these flowers are not given to young people, but sometimes chrysanthemum is included in some bouquets.

Chrysanthemum Festival

In the ninth lunar month, just on the day of the autumn equinox, the Chrysanthemum Festival is celebrated. Special services are held in Buddhist temples, cars decorated with chrysanthemums drive through cities, and cafés offer petals from the “second sun of Japan.” When the chrysanthemum flowering comes to an end and autumn approaches, an unusual exhibition is held in Japan. Living chrysanthemums are used to create images of people. The result is unique dolls, the figures of which are formed from bright colors.

Who would have thought, but the Japanese eat yellow flowers. They developed a special vegetable variety. The leaves of this chrysanthemum are similar to carrots, and the flowers are a little reminiscent of chamomile. They eat only young leaves and flowers. They have nice smell And unusual taste. Chrysanthemum is added to salads, meat and fish, and sometimes to desserts. True, in very small quantities. It is believed that eating this plant is beneficial; it helps in strengthening physical and mental health. But in any case, there will definitely be no harm from this!

We can talk endlessly about Japan, its uniqueness and traditions. Today we have only touched on the characteristics of this country. I promise we'll talk about her again.
Thank you for taking a little journey with me today and learning about Japanese flower symbolism! If you subscribe to blog updates, you will learn more. I will be glad if you recommend my page to your friends from social networks. Have a magical day! And all the best!

Chrysanthemum is the national flower. Symbol of Japan, imperial power, honor, courage, nobility, happiness and wisdom. This plant is inextricably linked with the sun, from which, according to legend, the Japanese people trace their history.

Japanese legends say
These flowers are not only loved, they are adored by everyone - from young to old, from the emperor to the last poor man. Back in the Heian era, when chrysanthemums bloomed, ordinary people decorated their homes with them, and the nobility rode on “chrysanthemum” boats. Poems were written about these flowers, songs were sung, and poetry competitions were held in their honor.
According to one of the ancient legends, Japan owes its origin to the chrysanthemum. In ancient times, China was ruled by a cruel emperor. One day he heard a rumor that across the sea, on an island, a magical flower was growing - a chrysanthemum. An elixir of longevity can be prepared from the juice of this flower.
But only a person with a pure heart and good intentions can pick a flower. The emperor and his courtiers had unkind hearts, and the emperor decided to use a trick: send three hundred young boys and girls to the island. But none of them returned to the emperor: enchanted by the beauty of the island, they founded a new state - Japan.
2. A specially protected flower
Since the 7th century, the chrysanthemum is considered royal flower and becomes the emblem of the Japanese emperors. golden flower with sixteen double petals and today remains the coat of arms of the Imperial House, and sometimes serves as the state emblem: its image can be found on coins, seals and official documents.
Japan's highest honor, the Order of the Chrysanthemum, is awarded only to persons of imperial and royal blood, heroes and heads of foreign states. This order is made of gold and has 2 degrees: on a chain and on a Great Ribbon.
Chrysanthemum in Japan is surrounded by love and care. The Japanese have no equal in the industrial cultivation of these flowers and in the creation of new varieties. In total, there are about five thousand species of this plant in Japan. These flowers have a long flowering period. Because of this, in Japanese culture, the chrysanthemum represents happiness and longevity, and dew collected from the chrysanthemum is said to prolong life.
For several centuries, simple amateurs and professional gardeners

Chrysanthemum time
On September 9, all of Japan celebrates the Chrysanthemum Festival. The history of this holiday began in 1186. Originally these were celebrations associated with longevity. Since the chrysanthemum is a symbol of longevity, the holiday will later receive a second name - the Chrysanthemum Festival. And during the Tokugawa era, it became one of the public holidays.
In ancient times, this holiday was celebrated only at court, where, at the invitation of the emperor, the court nobility, poets, and musicians gathered. Everyone had to compose a poem in honor of the celebration.
During the Chrysanthemum Festival, flower beds with chrysanthemums bloom throughout the country, flower exhibitions are held, and doll festivals are held. Dolls, both individual characters and entire paintings on historical, religious or mythological subjects, are created from living plants, for which a special frame is prepared from bamboo, and the face, arms and legs are made from wax or papier-mâché, very carefully and naturally.
Costumes and the background on which the action takes place (waterfalls, mountains, buildings) are created from leaves and flowers different varieties chrysanthemums Picking up different shapes and shades of chrysanthemums, make up the purple capes of the courtiers - from purple petals, green hakama pants - from leaves, yellow hats - from yellow varieties.
These plants are watered morning and evening, thanks to which they remain alive for a whole month. If individual plants become sick or wilt ahead of schedule- they are carefully replaced with new ones, and the dolls and landscapes remain almost unchanged. Well, maybe the hero’s pose or the lighting of the grove changes a little.
The Japanese Chrysanthemum Festival is an event no less spectacular than the carnival in Venice.

They organize large and small exhibitions of chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemums have been known in China since ancient times. Images of chrysanthemums are found in the ornaments of ancient buildings, on fragments of ceramics and porcelain, and on coins. Homeland of chrysanthemum - East Asia, but which specific state is not known exactly. Japan and China are still arguing over the right to be the birthplace of this beautiful flower.

The chrysanthemum flower symbolizes mature beauty and chastity, sublime solitude and tranquility, perfection and abundance, good spirits in the face of life's adversities and the approaching winter. This is a symbol. In late autumn, there is often snow on the delicate petals of chrysanthemums.

Chinese artists liked to compare themselves to chrysanthemums. The paintings always emphasize the contrast between bright flower and dark green leaves. In the past, the image of a chrysanthemum served as a symbol of nobility, happiness and longevity. Luxurious feasts were held in honor of the chrysanthemum; many poems, myths and legends are dedicated to it.

Your foliage is fringed from jasper -
Hangs above the ground layer by layer,
Tens of thousands of your petals
Like chased gold they burn...

Oh, chrysanthemum, autumn flower,
Your proud spirit, your unusual appearance,
About the excellences of valiant men
They tell me... - Li Qingzhao (1084-1155) “Chrysanthemum”

Chrysanthemum flowers on the beams of one of the pavilions in

The legend of how chrysanthemums came to Japan

Once upon a time, many centuries ago, a mighty emperor ruled in China. He was not afraid of anything in the world except old age and only thought about one thing: to rule and live as long as possible. And so he called his chief physician and ordered to prepare a potion that would prolong his youth.

The cunning doctor bowed low before the emperor: “Oh, mighty lord,” he said. - I could prepare such an elixir, but for this I need to get wonderful flowers that grow in the east, on distant islands...

- I will order those flowers to be delivered immediately! - the emperor cried.

“Oh, if only it were that simple,” the doctor sighed. - The whole secret is that a person with a pure heart must pick them - only then will the plant give its miraculous power...

The emperor began to think: he knew that neither he himself nor his courtiers were suitable to fulfill this condition. And then he decided to send 300 boys and 300 girls to the islands: surely among them there would be many people with a pure heart!

That’s what they did - they equipped many ships and sent them, led by the imperial physician, to the islands - where Japan is now located. On one of them they found beautiful flower- chrysanthemum and couldn’t stop admiring it!

“I don’t know if this flower is suitable for an elixir,” exclaimed the doctor, “but, without a doubt, it pleases the heart and rejuvenates the soul!”

The wise doctor knew well the insidious and cruel character of his emperor. “Surely,” he thought, “the emperor will think that I and my companions were the first to try the elixir, and will order all of us to be executed as soon as he receives the drug.” And then everyone decided not to go back. They remained to live on the islands and founded a new state there. It is not known whether they prepared a wonderful elixir or not, but the chrysanthemum became their favorite flower...

Perhaps this is how the Japanese learned about chrysanthemum?

Japan's highest state award is called the Order of the Chrysanthemum. Since 1888, when it was established, only 100 people have been awarded it. Chrysanthemum pictured in Japanese state emblem, decorates the halls of parliament and the cover of a foreign passport. In the past, the chrysanthemum was depicted on a helmet ( kabuto) militant knights of Japan - samurai, symbolizing the rising sun, that is, Japan.

Variety of chrysanthemums and their symbolism

It is believed that chrysanthemum flowers were originally purple. Then Chinese gardeners produced flowers of different colors and shapes. Currently, in China alone there are more than 20 species and over 3000 varieties of chrysanthemums. Diameter itself small flower chrysanthemums do not exceed 3 centimeters. More than 10,000 varieties of chrysanthemums are known all over the world: large and small, double and simple, with semicircular petals and sharp ones.

Yellow chrysanthemums symbolize respect and admiration. Red chrysanthemums - love, passion, energy of life. White chrysanthemums have symbolized grief since ancient times. They were supposed to be placed at the grave of the deceased. This tradition has been preserved until today. For example, in Beijing, at the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, you can purchase for a nominal fee and subsequently lay a white chrysanthemum at the entrance as a sign of deep sorrow and respect for the “great helmsman.”

Double Nine Celebration

The “double nine” holiday is dedicated to the chrysanthemum Chongjiu, or 重阳节 chongyangze, which is celebrated in Japan and China on the 9th day of the 9th month according to the lunar calendar. According to, this day has a powerful yang(nine -) and therefore potentially dangerous. In order to avoid danger, on this day you need to climb high mountain, drink wine or tea from chrysanthemums and put on branches of dogwood.

And today this holiday is widely celebrated in China. Schoolchildren learn poems about chrysanthemums especially for it, drink chrysanthemum tea at home, and those who adhere to stricter traditions drink chrysanthemum wine. Also, the opening of chrysanthemum exhibitions is often timed to coincide with this day. It is believed that a chrysanthemum flower picked on this day has a special magical power. Chrysanthemums placed on the Buddha statue on this day can ward off illness, misfortune and adversity. And chrysanthemums have healing powers all year round.

Photos from the exhibition of chrysanthemums and other autumn flowers in Yuanmingyuan Park

Chrysanthemum exhibitions are held in Chinese parks and squares in the fall. It’s incredible what kind of chrysanthemums there are, what compositions can be made from these flowers. One of these exhibitions is in Beijing.