Redbud, a birthday flower of March 16th

Among the birthday flowers of March 16th is Redbud. Redbud, known in Japanese as ハナズオウ（花蘇芳）, is one of the most striking sights of early spring. The Japanese name comes from the deep reddish “suō” dye, a colour echoed in the flowers themselves.

The photo in this post is of Cercis chinensis, or Chinese Redbud. Although all species in the Cercis genus are called “redbud,” the older European name “Judas tree” refers specifically to the Mediterranean species Cercis siliquastrum. A medieval legend claims that Judas Iscariot ended his life on this tree, and from that story came the Western flower meanings “betrayal” and “unbelief.” These same meanings appear in Japanese flower language as well: betrayal「裏切り」and unbelief 「不信仰」.

In Japan, ハナズオウ is the birthday flower for March 16th, but it typically blooms in April. The other birthday flowers of March 16th are Hall's Crabapple, Spearmint and Peppermint.