Clematis, a birthday flower of May 3rd

Clematis is a beloved climbing flower of late spring, often called the "Queen of Vines" because of the way its slender stems support large, luminous blooms. It has started to bloom in many places in Japan already this year. On average, its peak season is May. 

The flower name comes from the Greek word "klema" which means "vine" or "tendril", referring to plants like grapes that climb by wrapping their stems around supports. It was chosen because the plant twines and clings with slender vines. It literally means "a climbing vine". 

In Japan, it carries the meanings of "spiritual beauty," "joy of the traveler" and "artifice". I believe in English it has similar meanings. The meanings come from the nature of the plant, how it produces bold, elegant flowers, despite its thin veins, implying beauty that comes from within. Reportedly, the phrase "joy of the traveler" reflects an old European custom of planting clematis near inns to welcome guests with color and fragrance. 

Clematis is the birthday flower of five different dates. Apart from May 3rd, it is one of the birthday flowers of May 9th, July 1st, July 2nd and September 12th.