Dandelion, a birthday flower of March 13th

The Dandelion is one of at least six birthday flowers of March 13th annually. The others include yellow tulips, white freesia, large flowered barrenwort, anemone and alstroemeria. Dandelions are one of the most familiar spring flowers in Japan, just like in my home country, appearing both in the wild and in landscaped parks too.

In the Japanese language of flowers, hanakotoba, the dandelion has a few different meanings. Such as “love’s oracle,” “sincere love,” “faithfulness,” and “parting.”  These meanings come from old European customs of blowing the seed head to divine romantic feelings, as well as the plant’s ability to endure and return year after year. 

In Japan, dandelions begin blooming around March and can often be seen through to May. In Japan, both native species (ニホンタンポポ) and Western species (セイヨウタンポポ) grow throughout the country. Dandelion is also the birthday flower of February 18th and 19th, March 23rd and 29th, and May 3rd.

I took the photo in this post at Saitama's free chipmunk park.