Have you heard Language of flowers?
If you never heard of it, you are not alone.
It is known as “Hana Kotoba” in Japan, the direct translation is “flower word”.
I never heard anybody talk Hana Kotoba in English so I had to check and it shows Language of flowers and Wikipedia said Floriography (language of flowers) is a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers
Meaning has been attributed to flowers for thousands of years, and some form of floriography has been practiced in traditional cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
I heard “Hana Kotoba” when I was around 8 years old when I started to have interested grown my own flowers. I was curious that each flower has meaning and I have thought of it whenever I grow flowers and plants and felt connections with them.
As I grew up I have started to use Language of flowers meaning when I send flowers to family, friends or people and let them know why I chose this flower for them. I believe that people who received flowers appreciate more than just receiving the flowers and I feel joy using Language of flowers too.
It is wonderful for me to share Language of flowers with you!
My first language of flowers that I picked is Japanese Ume Plum Flower.
I chose it because it is also a January flower in Japan (now I looked at the date and it is the end of January, but I made it!).
As I checked Language of flowers on https://hananokotoba.com/hanakotoba-ichiran/
Japanese Ume Plum Flower showed Language of flowers in Japan,
「nobility」, 「faithfulness」, and 「patience」
and in the West,
「Keep your promise」,「fidelity」and「beauty and longevity」
I did not realize there were different meanings, but I thought that is understanding too.
My father had a Japanese Ume tree in the garden which was just a flowering ume tree so no plums and it was a beautiful reddish color.
The one I shared here is the Japanese Ume Plum Flower that produces plums.
You might hear that Japanese Ume pickles (Umeboshi).
It is a medicinal and traditional pickle of salty and sour in Japan.
I have been making my own Japanese Ume plum pickles every year with organic California Ume plums. Last year I made famous Japanese “Nankou” Ume Plum pickles, Enzyme juice, Jam, and Sauce.
My friend, Kazuko used to make her Umeboshi plum of organic Northern California so I also offer aged Umeboshi plums that she made and my Umeboshi plums if you are interested.
If you know how to use/eat Umeboshi plums then they will help for longevity just like one of Language of flowers meanings so whoever made this language of flowers meaning knew that Japanese Ume plum can be medicinal.
This year I am trying to grow my Japanese Ume plum tree so I hope to see the flowers someday in January.
Love,
Sanae ❤️