Is Osmanthus your birthday flower?

Do you remember the first time you saw certain flowers? I do. Not all of them, but some of the more unique flowers. Such as Osmanthus flowers, often called Fragrant Olive in English. I smelled the Osmanthus before I saw them. I was drawn to them by their smell and was then bewitched by their subtle beauty. For me, my first encounter was in Nakain temple in Kawagoe.

Osmanthus is a genus of flowering plants known for their fragrant flowers and attractive foliage, commonly used in gardens and, in Japan, on the grounds of temples. Osmanthus is a genus comprising about 30 different species of flowering plants. They are in the family Oleaceae and are native to Japan and other east Asia countries. The name is aptly named "osmanthus" from the Greek for "fragrant flower". They really do smell divine. 

Fragrant Olive / Osmanthus is said to mean "humility", because of the modest small flowers in contrary to the brilliance of its smell. The best time to see them in Japan is generally September, but yet is the birthday flower of October 7th annually. The photo in this post was taken in the middle of September 2021.