Cultural Significance and Symbolism
In some countries of Europe (e.g., France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Croatia), incurve chrysanthemums are symbolic of death and are used only for funerals or on graves, while other types carry no such symbolism; similarly, in China, Japan and Korea, white chrysanthemums are symbolic of lamentation and/or grief. In some other countries, they represent honesty. In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful, with New Orleans as a notable exception.
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A Ming dynasty Chinese red lacquerware dish with carved design of chrysanthemums and dragons
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Chrysanthemum crest on the Mikasa
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Chrysanthemum crest on the gate of Yasukuni shrine
Read more about this topic: Chrysanthemum
Famous quotes containing the words cultural, significance and/or symbolism:
“The primary function of myth is to validate an existing social order. Myth enshrines conservative social values, raising tradition on a pedestal. It expresses and confirms, rather than explains or questions, the sources of cultural attitudes and values.... Because myth anchors the present in the past it is a sociological charter for a future society which is an exact replica of the present one.”
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