Changes

*''Japanese'': 菊 ''(kiku)''

*''Japanese'': 菊 ''(kiku)''

The chrysanthemum is the crest and symbol of the Japanese Imperial family, and as such, is one of the most elevated symbols in Japanese culture.

The chrysanthemum is the crest and symbol of the Japanese Imperial family, and as such, is one of the most elevated symbols in Japanese culture. Though it has had strong associations with the Imperial institution since the time of [[Emperor Go-Toba]] (r. [[1183]]-[[1198]]), however, the sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum crest was only officially restricted to Imperial use in [[1868]]/3.<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', UC Press (1998), 48-49.</ref>

Its use as an auspicious symbol originates in China, where the flower is called ''jú'', which is a close homophone for ''jiǔ'', meaning nine; while nine is not itself a particularly auspicious number, the chrysanthemum blooms in the 9th month of the lunar calendar, and so is auspicious for matching up with its season in that way. The homophone connection carries over, albeit imperfectly, into Japanese, where the flower is called ''kiku'', and the number nine is ''kyû'' or ''ku''. In connection with this association, and because they were in bloom at that time, a [[Chrysanthemum Festival]] was traditionally held in China on the 9th day of the 9th month, since ancient times, and was later adopted elsewhere in East Asia.<ref>Timon Screech, ''Obtaining Images'', University of Hawaii Press (2012), 46-47.</ref>

Its use as an auspicious symbol originates in China, where the flower is called ''jú'', which is a close homophone for ''jiǔ'', meaning nine; while nine is not itself a particularly auspicious number, the chrysanthemum blooms in the 9th month of the lunar calendar, and so is auspicious for matching up with its season in that way. The homophone connection carries over, albeit imperfectly, into Japanese, where the flower is called ''kiku'', and the number nine is ''kyû'' or ''ku''. In connection with this association, and because they were in bloom at that time, a [[Chrysanthemum Festival]] was traditionally held in China on the 9th day of the 9th month, since ancient times, and was later adopted elsewhere in East Asia.<ref>Timon Screech, ''Obtaining Images'', University of Hawaii Press (2012), 46-47.</ref>