Chrysanthemum, a birthday flower of September 9th

Chrysanthemum flowers are one of the birthday flowers of September 9th annually in Japan. They only appear once in their general form on the birthday flower calendar, but the colored variations represent other birth dates. Red chrysanthemum are the birthday flower of October 1st, November 27th and December 13th. Yellow are one of the birthday flowers of November 3rd and white are a birthday flower of November 23rd.

Chrysanthemums hold a deep and enduring significance in Japan and are one of the de facto national flowers alongside the cherry blossom. They are cherished as symbols of dignity, purity, and refinement. Their connection to the Imperial family is especially strong: the sixteen‑petaled chrysanthemum crest has long represented the Emperor and the Imperial household, underscoring the flower’s association with nobility and cultural heritage. 

In Japan, chrysanthemums bloom in autumn. During the period you will find many chrysanthemum festivals on around Japan. Potted chrysanthemum can bloom from September, although in my own prefecture - November is more common. In flower beds they usually bloom around October or November. However, their availability in flower shops remains steady throughout the year thanks to modern cultivation techniques. 

In the Japanese language of flowers, hanakotoba, they represent “nobility,” “purity,” and “loftiness.” Each color has their own meaning too. For example, red chrysanthemums express “I love you,” while white chrysanthemums signify “truth,” and yellow chrysanthemums carry the more somber meaning of “a broken or slighted love.”