When it comes to flowers, from a symbolic point of view, there is nothing more interesting than the mandarin flower. These flowers are so unique in appearance that they have fascinated people for decades.
The continent of Asia, where the Manjusha flower originates, is known for having a rich culture filled with spirituality. This flower has countless mysteries.
Manjusha is primarily associated with the wheel of death and life. On the other hand, white can represent resurrection or new beginnings. The yellow mandarin flower symbolizes wealth, and the orange lily symbolizes patience and pride.
But that’s not all. In this article, we’ll explore all the different meanings and symbolism that people around the world have for spider lilies.
Origin of the meaning of Manjusha
Although the mandarin flower was brought to the West in the mid-19th century, it is believed that it first appeared in Asia around 700 AD.
Only red lilies are considered traditional varieties. However, other colors were developed through cultivation.
Manjusha has many meanings. Since it often grows near cemeteries, it began to be thought to be associated with death. However, it did not originally bloom there.
Its tradition comes from Buddhism. Many religious people pay homage to their ancestors by planting mandarin flowers in and around cemeteries during autumn celebrations. Buddhists believe that these flowers lead the dead to rebirth.
This tradition is believed to have started for another reason. In the old days, there were no graves or anything to prevent wild animals from digging up the corpses, so planting mandarin flowers was the ideal solution, as they are highly toxic.
For this reason, Manjushana is also called the “Lily of the Resurrection” and the “Flower of the Corpse.” Lesser-known names include “Higan no Hana,” “Hell’s Flower,” and “Heaven’s Flower.”
The vernal equinox is the day when day and night are approximately the same length. According to astronomical definition, autumn begins with the autumnal equinox, which is also the time when Buddhists hold autumn festivals and plant mandarin flowers near graves.
Symbolism of the Mandarin Flower
Manjusha has a long and rich history and has many meanings. This flower is associated with death, sadness, or a “final farewell.”
The term “final farewell” comes from the Japanese belief that if you meet someone for the last time and say goodbye, flowers will bloom on the path that person walked. That is why you should not give this bouquet to anyone.
However, when separated from Asian traditions, there are other meanings that people associate with the color red. On the positive side, it is associated with love, energy, desire, and sexual attraction. On the other hand, we also see traits such as jealousy, possessiveness, and aggression.
Meaning of white mandarin flower
White is the exact opposite of red in terms of symbolism. People see the white mandarin flower as a symbol of innocence, cleanliness, and new beginnings. Used to convey a sense of purity and peace.
In Buddhism, the white mandala does not have much significance, but the white flower is known to symbolize Bodhi, or awakening. They represent spiritual purity, spiritual perfection, and the end of material desires.
Therefore, seeing a wide mandarin flower can mean that a new beginning awaits you. It could be a new job opportunity or winning some kind of award. Whatever it is, you can be sure that it is positive and that it will change your life for the better.
Meaning of yellow mandarin flower
Yellow mandarin flowers often symbolize wealth, power, and strength. Yellow is psychologically the happiest color, so it’s no surprise that it has evoked positive emotions in people since time immemorial.
Being the color of gold and corn, it is associated with wealth and abundance.
This symbolism comes from the West, as only the red mandarin flower is considered traditional. Maize was and still is a very important source of livelihood in the West, and it is no wonder that meanings of wealth are associated with this crop.
Another common meaning of the yellow mandarin flower is power, strength, happiness, and energy. The sun is also yellow and represents all these qualities, so it is seen as light in dark times.
Gifting them to someone can be an expression of your belief in that person.
What does the orange manjusha mean?
The color orange often symbolizes pride, perseverance, and confidence.
All these qualities can be seen as positive or negative, which is why the orange mandush flower is not so commonly seen. They represent people who can endure any situation without giving in. No matter how difficult life is, they get up and try again and again.
The symbolism of the Manjushana in pop culture
The Manjusha flower is so tied to Japanese and Asian culture in general that we see its symbolism permeate today’s pop culture.
They have also been used in movies and can often be seen in animated series. And I think you can see them in other creative fields as well.
Although not everyone believes in Buddhism or the legend, the symbolism of the mandarin flower, which is associated with death and the “final farewell”, is still preserved thanks to this.
Especially in anime, seeing Manjushaka is no coincidence. These plants are often used to foreshadow that one of the characters will die or be close to death.
However, these works are often exaggerated. For example, in one series, the plot is that the reason the Manjusha has no leaves is because all of its energy comes directly from hell, so it doesn’t need to photosynthesize to make energy. Ta.
