Posted on September 9, 2019
In Europe and the U.S., the chrysanthemum gets a pretty bum rep, for a flower. It's a bit hardier (longer lasting) than
many other blooms, so pots of "mums" are often placed on graves. Maybe the fact that chrysanthemums are seen as common makes them less popular than most flowers? Or is the problem their association with death?
But this flower, which may have originated in Eastern Asia and is cultivated into many varied sub-breeds in China, is celebrated in one of Japan's five ancient sacred festivals. This festival is also called the Festival of Happiness, and also the Double Ninth Festival.
You see, back when Japan used a lunar calendar, Chrysanthemum Day was the ninth day of the ninth month. Of course, lunar calendars don't map exactly onto our modern day Gregorian calendar (which is why Chinese New Year is held on completely different days and even months, every year), so when Japan started using the Gregorian calendar, this festival was moved to the ninth day of the ninth month of the new calendar!
Did you know...?
Chrysanthemums are the symbol of the Imperial House of Japan - and thus the ruler's seat is referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne. 
Mums are often a symbol of autumn. If crocuses and daffodils bloom in early spring, and roses and sunflowers brighten even the brightest summer, it is chrysanthemums and asters that delight us in the fall.
There are a lot of different varieties of chrysanthemums. And lots of different colors. Lovely!
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