Dianthus, a birthday flower of July 14th

Dianthus, Nadeshiko (撫子) in Japanese, is one of the birthday flowers of July 14th annually. It is also a birthday flower for July 22nd and July 28th. It is also known as kawara‑nadeshiko or Dianthus superbus. It is one of Japan’s most beloved summer flowers, after which the national women's soccer team is named - Nadeshiko Japan.

Dianthus has soft, feathery petals and a gentle fragrance. It comes in different colors including white, pink and red. I personally see the pink most in Japan. It typically flowers for about a week in the summer months or in September. The photo in this post was taken in early June. Historically though, it is one of the seven flowers of Autumn, as celebrated in poetry since the Manyōshū.

In the Japanese language of flowers (Hanakotoba), dianthus carries meanings such as boldness, pure love and fidelity. Meanings that are also reflected in Western language.  These associations come from the flower’s delicate appearance paired with its surprising resilience; a combination that has shaped its cultural symbolism for centuries.