Ranunculus, a birthday flower of January 20th

Although not currently in bloom, ranunculus, ラナンキュラス in Japanese, is a birthday flower of January 20th. It is one of two birthday flowers for the date annually. You will find the other, Calendula, also detailed on City-cost.com. Together, the two flowers create a fascinating contrast for January 20th. One symbolizing quiet sorrow, Calendula, the other dazzling beauty...

Ranunculus symbolizes dazzling beauty. meanings with its "hanakotoba" flower meanings of “radiant charm,” “bright allure,” and “shining beauty”. The meanings come from its silky, layered petals and vivid colors that seem to glow from within. The name Ranunculus derives from Latin for “little frog,” a nod to the plant’s preference for moist habitats.

The feature photo of this post is of a ranunculus in a “hanachozu”. Hanachozu are the decorative fonts of floating flowers popular in Japan. Ranunculus are frequently used in hanachozu around Japan, even though they are not a cheap flower. But thanks to their multi layers of petals they are very photogenic. In Japan, they typically bloom in April and May.