This guide explores the history, origins, and present-day meaning of Hanakotoba, plus we’ll share 35 of the most popular types of flowers and their symbolism in the Japanese Language of Flowers.
Although flowers have had a symbolic place in mythology, religion, and culture for almost as long as humans have had mythologies, religions, and cultures, the tradition of hanakotoba is not even close to ancient.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. This practice dates back much further than hanakotoba with the earliest mentions of it in poetry from the Heian period (794 to 1185).
Regular flower arrangements, bouquets, garlands, wreaths, and ikebana designs are commonly used to decorate and adorn special occasions, celebrations, ceremonies, and traditional events .