Chrysanthemum Day

A display of Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum Day (菊の節句, Kiku no Sekku) is one of the five ancient sacred festivals of Japan. It is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month.[1] It was started in 910, when the Japanese imperial court held its first chrysanthemum show.[1] Chrysanthemums are the symbol of the Imperial House of Japan.[1]

A popular custom of the Chrysanthemum Day festival is to drink sake with chrysanthemum petals in it.[2][3] Another tradition is to lay cotton wool over individual chrysanthemum blooms to soak up the dew overnight.[2] The chrysanthemum dew, which is believed to have healing powers, is wiped onto the face.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c McGowan, Alice (2008). "From Distant Shores". Horticulture. Vol. 105, no. 7. pp. 54–59. Retrieved 2024-06-22 – via EBSCOHost.
  2. ^ a b c Powell, Robin (May 12, 2023). "The ancient Japanese tradition you should try with chrysanthemums". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  3. ^ Folwell, Percy S. (1907). The Book of Chrysanthemum. London: John Lane, The Bodley Head. p. 3 – via Internet Archive.


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