Japanese Peony Flower's Meaning

The Japanese peony, considered the "King of Flowers," has a symbolic meaning that includes wealth, good fortune, honor, daring and masculine bravery. The peony originated in China; around the eighth century, the Chinese introduced the peony to Japan. The peony is a favorite flower in gardens all over the world; its symbolic meaning serves as an inspiration for a variety of art forms.

Peony Types
Peonies come in two types: tree peonies and herbaceous peonies. Tree peonies grow to about eye level, possess woody stems and a small number of branches. The stems stay alive throughout the winter and then bloom in early spring. The flower colors range from yellow, black and purple to shades of red, pink and white. Herbaceous peonies grow from 2 to 4 feet tall. They have bushy green, pink or red stems that turn green in the fall. Flower colors include pink and red varieties as well as white, yellow and cream.

Flower Types
Peony flowers are divided into five categories, according to the form of the petals, for further identification purposes. The five main types are described as single, Japanese, anemone, semi-double, double and the secondary bomb type.

Japanese Peony Flower
The Japanese peony is a transition-type between the singles and doubles. Japanese peonies have five or more guard petals surrounding the flower center; the stamens have been partially transformed into short, narrow petals called staminodes. The broadened center filaments and large anthers give the Japanese peony flower a feathery appearance. The colors of the guard petals and the center vary and come in many striking combinations.

Peony in Japanese Art
The beauty and meaning of the peony has served as inspiration for artists in both Eastern and Western cultures. When the peonies were first introduced in the eighth century, Japanese craftspeople and artists quickly began depicting the peony in their tapestries, paintings and porcelains.

Peony in Body Art
Peonies are a common tattoo subject in both Japanese and Western cultures. Its inherent meaning of prosperity and strength makes it a popular image to incorporate into body art. The peony is traditionally understood, in Japanese culture, as a "masculine" motif, embodying bravery and daring; however, both men and women use the image.

Peony in Japanese Poetry
The peony is also a popular subject of many Japanese poems, frequently appearing in Japanese haiku poetry. The peony's beauty and symbolism serve as inspiration. A Japanese poet named Issa (d. 1823), said to have written 20,000 haiku, dedicated at least 84 poems to the peony. One of Issa's peony poems reads:

The peony is this big!
the child's arms
outstretched

Another haiku refers to the peony's reputation for bringing prosperity:

The god of fortune
and luck dwells here
a peony

Poet Yosa Buson (1716 to 1783) wrote:

On all sides
the peony wards off
rain clouds

Of Buson's 3000 haiku, 28 were about the peony.