Apricot blossom, a birthday flower of April 12th

Anzu (杏) is the Japanese word for apricot, referring both to the tree and to apricot blossoms. The apricot blossoms are one of the birthday flowers of April 12th. I know of two birthday flowers for April 12th, the other is also a blossom - the peach blossom. 

In the Japanese language of flowers, known as the hanakotoba, apricot blossoms carry the meanings of "timid love" and "a maiden's shy blush", Meanings that are reflected in the Western language of flowers too. But they also have a darker meaning in both the hanakotoba and the Western language of flowers, where they can mean doubt and / or suspicion.

In Japan, the flower appears in early spring, usually March to April, just before or around the same time as early blooming cherry varieties. I took the photo in this post on March 23rd. Anzu / Apricot blossoms are also the birthday flower of February 23rd, March 1st and October 2nd annually.