Even yobina which are the names of flowers or fruits, plants or trees, are in most cases names of moral or felicitous, rather than of æsthetic meaning. The plumflower is an emblem of feminine virtue; the chrysanthemum, of longevity; the pine, both of longevity and constancy; the bamboo, of fidelity; the cedar, of moral rectitude; the willow, of docility and gentleness, as well as of physical grace. The symbolism of the lotos and of the cherryflower are probably familiar. But such names as Hana ("Blossom ") and Ben ("Petal") are æsthetic in the true sense; and the Lily remains in Japan, as elsewhere, an emblem of feminine grace.
FLOWER-NAMES
| Ayamé | "Iris."[71] |
[71] ] Iris setosa, or Iris sibrisia.
| Azami | "Thistle-Flower." |
| O-Ben | "Petal." |
| O-Fuji | "Wistaria."[72] |
[72] ] Wistaria chinensis.
| O-Hana | "Blossom." |
| O-Kiku | "Chrysanthemum." |
| O-Ran | "Orchid." |
| O-Ren | "Lotos." |
| Sakurako | "Cherryblossom." |
| O-Umé | "Plumflower." |
| O-Yuri | "Lily." |