Why is purple considered the color of samurai? Meaning of flowers in Japan

Author: Millefeuille

February 13, 2021 07:00

Tags: death mourning facts flowers  

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In the traditions of many countries and peoples, there are flowers and plants that signify death - they are woven into mourning wreaths, they are presented as a sign of sadness and placed on the graves of the deceased...


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Calla lilies


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In many European countries there is a superstition that callas are flowers of death, but there are only assumptions about where this sign came from. In some countries, the color white is associated with sadness and funerals, so white calla lilies are brought as a bouquet to the cemetery or planted on a grave. For the same reason, you should not give white flowers to older women.

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What color symbolizes winter in ikebana. What color in an ikebana arrangement symbolizes winter?

Here are the color meanings in ikebana:

  • Green color.

This is the color of the tree. The energy of a tree is birth, growth, increase. The color green symbolizes Spring and also represents the East, the place where the day is born

  • Red color.

Red is the color of fire. This is the energy of midsummer, the riot of all living things. This is the color of the south.

  • White color.

White is the color of metal. The energy of calm and decline. White is the color of autumn, when white rice ripens. This is the color of the west.

  • Black color.

This is the color of water. Black is the color of the darkest time of the year - it is the color of winter and the color of the north.

  • Yellow.

Color of the Earth. The energy of the end of summer, when the earth gives all its wealth and its powers are strongest. Yellow is the color of the center, where all sides of the color meet.

This entry was published at 10/29/2015 3:45 pm and posted in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. You can go to the bottom of the page and.

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How many stars are on the shoulder straps of an army captain?

What color symbolizes winter in ikebana. What color in an ikebana arrangement symbolizes winter?

An army captain wears 4 stars on his shoulder straps. And here is the general diagram of the stars on the shoulder straps: Ensign (midshipman) - 2 stars along the shoulder strap with a flat...

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What was the name of A.S.’s wife? Pushkin?

What color symbolizes winter in ikebana. What color in an ikebana arrangement symbolizes winter?

Chrysanthemums


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Chrysanthemum in Japan is the flower of death - and at the same time the flower of the emperor, only they had the right to decorate their clothes with it, others were killed for this. In Italy, chrysanthemum is a symbol of love; a symbol of deep silent sadness; symbol of death. In England, chrysanthemums are not so much flowers for bouquets, but funeral flowers. In Europe, white chrysanthemums are considered mourning flowers and a symbol of deep sadness. Wreaths of them are laid on graves in France.

What color symbolizes life. Symbolism of popular colors

What color symbolizes life. Symbolism of popular colors
Each flower included in the bouquet needs to be given attention. Flowers chosen incorrectly according to symbolism will violate the whole meaning of the flower arrangement. You need to learn how to correctly express your feelings in the language of flowers. We will analyze in detail what flowers it is customary to give, what they will symbolize.

Pansies. This is a symbol of joy and fun. Pansies symbolize good and happy moments in life. Begonia. Warns against dangers. The symbolism of begonia is emphasized by the words: beware, be careful. Begonia speaks of the presence of enemies and envious people. Cornflower. This is a shy flower that young men give to girls, offering their friendship. Cornflower can express politeness, gallantry and courtesy. Heather. This is a dual symbol, on the one hand it means charm and delight (white color), and on the other hand loneliness and the need for protection. Hyacinth. Depending on the color, hyacinth symbolizes the following: white – charm, yellow – jealousy, red – surprises for loved ones, purple – forgiveness, blue – confidence and calm. Hydrangea. The flower is dual. Hydrangea can signify modesty, chastity and understanding in relationships, but can show indifference and insensitivity. Guzmania (Guzmania). The guzmania flower symbolizes masculine energy, so it is given to men as a sign of respect. This is a symbol of nobility. Cactus. This is a symbol of patience and constancy. A cactus for lovers means that they are two halves. Giving a cactus, a person says: “I understand you better than anyone.” Water lily. This is a symbol of the lover's other half. A gift of a flower means: “Don’t deceive me in love.” Lavender. A lilac flower expresses admiration and charm for a person. White lavender speaks of fulfillment of desires. Lily of the valley. The lily of the valley flower symbolizes the path to happiness, consent to the wedding. Lily. The flower has many symbols. Lilies of different colors symbolize the following: white - purity, yellow - gratitude, multi-colored - prosperity. Magnolia. This is a symbol of nobility. If a flower is given by a lover, then it means assertiveness, such a bang will pursue you. Poppy. Poppies serve as a symbol of youth and beauty and are given as a sign of admiration. Myrtle. It is a symbol of hope and a symbol of love. This is a wedding emblem, it gives joy and fun. Forget-me-not. This is a flower of true and sincere love, which is given with the words: “Don’t forget me.” Orchid. It symbolizes beauty in the West, so it is customary to give them to beloved women. In the east, orchids are a symbol of childhood. Chamomile. Flower of youth and tenderness. Daisies symbolize romance and fidelity. Sakura. The favorite tree of Japanese people, whose flowers symbolize kindness and tenderness, the fast flow of life. Lilac . This is a symbol of first love and love confessions. Violet. This is a flower of modesty and caution. White violet says: Let's try to be together? Chrysanthemum. It is a symbol of friendship and cheerfulness. Apple tree. In the language of flowers, apple means peacefulness.

Higanbana


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Higanbana (red spider lily) is a red flower and a symbol of autumn in Japan. This flower has many names, each more beautiful than the other: fire flower, dead man's flower, ghost flower, hell's color, fox's color, razor flower, poisonous lily, heavenly flower. Among the Japanese, higanbana is considered an unlucky sign, so they avoid planting it in gardens. Bulbs, stems and leaves contain strong plant poison. And this flower grows in cemeteries, closer to the dead and ghosts, and often no one plants it - it grows on its own.

Gold and silver

Wu golden (金kin

) and silver (銀
gin
) have a similar hidden meaning: both colors symbolize wealth and prestige and are used as decoration.
So, they can often be found on holiday packaging. And, of course, remembering these colors, one cannot help but mention some of the most famous temples in Japan - the Silver Pavilion (銀閣寺ginkaku-ji
) and the Golden Pavilion (金閣寺
kinkaku-ji
). Both are in Kyoto.


Golden Pavilion

The violet is a symbol of death and sadness among the Greeks.


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There is a legend: “When one day the sun god Apollo pursued one of the beautiful daughters of Atlas with his burning rays, the poor girl turned to Zeus with a prayer to shelter and protect her. And so the great Thunderer, heeding her pleas, turned her into a wonderful violet and hid her in the shade of his booths, where since then she has bloomed every spring and filled the heavenly forests with her fragrance. There, perhaps, this lovely flower would have remained forever and would never have come to our earth, if it had not happened that Proserpina, the daughter of Zeus and Ceres, having gone into the forest for flowers, was abducted by the suddenly appearing Pluto just at the time when I picked violets. In fright, she dropped the flowers from her hands to the ground... and it was these violets that served as the ancestors of those violets that grow among us to this day.” The violet was considered by the Greeks to be a flower of sadness and death, which was used to decorate both the deathbed and the graves of young, untimely dead girls.

What color symbolizes family. The meaning of the flowers on the family coat of arms

What color symbolizes family. The meaning of the flowers on the family coat of arms

The meaning of the colors on the family coat of arms occupies a very important place in heraldry. Therefore, it is worth taking this choice seriously enough to characterize the meaning of your symbolism as accurately and correctly as possible.

So, if there is a main feature in your family that you are all very proud of and famous for, try to find it in the descriptions of the colors and objects that you will find below. You should know that in coat of arms there are only 7 colors used: metals - gold/silver, enamels — red/green/blue/purple/black. How not to make a mistake in choosing one color or another? We have taken into account all the basic descriptions and characteristics of color meanings to make it easier for you to choose the most suitable one for your type!

  1. The red color is called scarlet and characterizes bravery and courage, and is also a symbol of blood shed for faith and homeland.
  2. The color green symbolizes fertility, joy, abundance, peace, tranquility, freedom, youth and hope.
  3. Blue or blue color as a symbol of greatness, loyalty and trust, beauty, impeccability and movement forward.
  4. The color purple was often used for the coats of arms of royal families, as this dye was obtained from expensive and rare shells.
  5. The color black symbolizes education, modesty and caution. Black also speaks of sadness, prudence and humility.
  6. Silver or white color is a symbol of purity.
  7. Gold or yellow color is a symbol of wealth.

There is a basic rule of colors in heraldry that you should remember when creating your own heirloom: never put metal on metal or enamel on enamel! The meaning of the items on a family's coat of arms is just as important as the meaning of the flowers.

  1. So, for example, if your family was famous for hard work, cattle breeding and fertility, you can depict a bull. It also symbolizes patience.
  2. The symbol of strength and foresight is the bear.
  3. The deer is a symbol of a warrior before whom the enemy runs.
  4. The symbol of power and fearlessness is the boar.
  5. The cat characterizes independence.
  6. The symbol of power, strength and courage is the lion. It also carries the meaning of generosity.
  7. If your family is interested in literature and loves to read, depict a book on your coat of arms.
  8. The love of games is symbolized by the doll. The love of sports games is the ball.
  9. You can show your drawing ability by using pencils on your coat of arms.
  10. The eagle is a symbol of vigilance.
  11. The bee characterizes hard work and tirelessness.
  12. As a sign of victory over a greedy, evil enemy, a wolf was depicted on the coats of arms.
  13. The symbol of rural life, as well as kindness, is the sheep.
  14. The owl symbolizes wisdom, ingenuity and quickness to us. If you add caution and kindness to the description, depict a snake.
  15. The dove is a symbol of the holy spirit, purity and humility.

Daffodils


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Narcissus is a flower of spring, a symbol of death in youth (Narcissus blooms and fades quickly). The Legend of Narcissus = Narcissus is a wonderful young man. Son of the nymph Lavriona and the river god Cephisus. Many sought his love, but the proud and narcissistic Narcissus rejected everyone, considering only himself worthy of love. After the nymph Echo died of unrequited love, Nemesis, as punishment for his narcissism, made him fall in love with his own reflection. The young man did not have the strength to tear himself away from his reflection and he died of exhaustion, turning into a flower - the beautiful and cold flower of death, the daffodil. One version of the legend says that Narcissa was punished by Aphrodite, angry that the young man was rejecting her gifts. She heard the request of one of the nymphs rejected by him that the one whom Narcissus loved should not reciprocate. According to another legend, Narcissus had a twin sister, and after her unexpected death he saw her features in his own reflection.

Blue

Aoi

(青い) – this is not necessarily blue. This color can also mean green, for example, if we are talking about young greenery. So, if you search on the Internet for an “Aoi”-colored apple, you will find normal light green fruits, and not blue mutants.

In Japanese culture, this color is associated with purity, purity and tranquility. Perhaps one of the reasons is that Japan is an island country surrounded by water. And water, as you know, appears blue.

Clothes in blue shades are popular among office workers. Many university graduates try to wear blue suits when they come for interviews.

Roses and lilies


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In Ancient Egypt, the white lily flower was considered a symbol of the transience of life. The same personification of the short duration of human existence for the inhabitants of Ancient Greece was the rose. In their opinion, the beauty of a flower passes as quickly as our life. But on the grave monuments of the Hellenes, a rosebud is often depicted, which was a symbol of infinity. It was this ritual meaning of the rose that passed from the Greeks to the Romans.

What color symbolizes what sin. Seven deadly sins

  • seven deadly sins: pride, vanity, uncleanness, envy, excess in eating and drinking, anger, laziness

In art, especially Renaissance and Baroque painting, depictions of the Seven Deadly Sins represent a "moral warning" against Evil.

Anger . In Renaissance art, this sin is represented by a woman tearing her clothes.

Greed. A favorite object of medieval sculptors, and later painters. She was usually symbolized by a man with a purse or a harpy with her claws clinging to a miser sitting on a pile of gold (sometimes golden apples). Other symbols of greed are the rat and the toad.

Gluttony. The personification of gluttony is an obese person or the animal most often associated with this bodily defect is a pig, bear, fox, wolf or hedgehog.

Lust. A popular subject for medieval artists. In Western art it is usually depicted as a snake or toad. embedded in a woman's breasts or genitals. Women's sexual desires seemed more disgusting to the church than men's. Other hunting emblems: monkey, donkey, bear, hog, cat, rooster, goat, hare, horse, leopard, pig, rabbit, centaur, satyr, minotaur, basilisk, witch, devil and torch.

Pride. In Western art, this sin was usually depicted in the form of a woman with a peacock, as well as a lion or an eagle - the main emblems of the earthly and heavenly world. The biblical saying, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs of Solomon, 16:18) was the reason why pride was depicted as a horseman falling from the saddle. This symbolism is reflected in Caravaggio's painting "The Transfiguration of St. Paul" (1600), which depicts Saul (the future Apostle Paul) falling from his horse on the way to Damascus. Other symbols of pride are the rooster, fallen angel, leopard, mirror, Tower of Babel.

Laziness . Sin, personified by a fat man or a pig. Sloth is usually depicted on horseback or accompanied by animals such as a donkey or an ox. In the Christian tradition, the emblem of laziness is the snail.

Carnations


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According to an ancient legend, once upon a time, gods lived on Earth. And one day the goddess Artemis (Diana), the daughter of Zeus and Latona, returning from a hunt, saw a shepherd who was playing the flute and did not suspect that the sounds of the flute scared and scattered all the animals in the area. Angered by the unsuccessful hunt, the goddess shot an arrow and stopped the heart of the beautiful musician. But very soon the goddess’s anger gave way to mercy and repentance. She called upon the god of gods, Zeus, and asked him to turn the dead youth into a beautiful flower. Since then, the Greeks have called the carnation the flower of Zeus, the wise and powerful god who gave the young man immortality. According to the floristic tradition of making funeral bouquets, if you did not have time to ask forgiveness from the deceased, then striped carnations will do it.

LiveInternetLiveInternet

A very interesting article about color and its meaning in the perception of the Japanese. I didn’t rethink it, I dragged it “as is” from here:

https://anidub.com/rubriki/interesnoe/pochemu-fioletovyj-schitaetsya-cvetom-samuraev/. The site is about anime, but I'm interested in color.

Wow, summer holidays are just beginning, and the trend towards “boring contemplation of dust particles flying around the house” is already taking place. To prevent this from happening, AniDUB (um, in my person) has prepared something interesting.

In the last issue we talked about unnatural hair color in Japan (remember that?). And, in order to finally clarify this confusing and complex (without any sarcasm) issue, today’s article will talk about the Japanese meaning of color and its connection with anime (direct and indirect, by the way). Well, enough ranting, it's time to test yourself for the title of Anime Character Connoisseur!

In Japan, as a rule, paints are named not by the materials from which they are made (for example, ocher, indigo, cobalt - those in the know will understand), but by the natural carriers of color. So, “arahairo” is “the reverse side of leaves and herbs,” “uguisuiro” is “the color of the wings of a Japanese nightingale,” and “sabiiro” is “rust” (all that remains is to learn this and show off in front of the art store seller). Residents of the islands notice and recognize colors and combinations that other cultures have not even thought about (there is an opinion that men do not distinguish between different shades. But this clearly does not apply to the Japanese). But today we will get acquainted with only some of them (otherwise we could write an encyclopedia). Well, let's go?

Yellow (黄 – “ki”) is the color of gold, a symbol of the sun (unexpectedly), divine power and mercy. Once upon a time, Japan was called the land of gold or Zipangu (ジパング - there is such an anime, by the way). This name is associated with the name of Marco Polo, who prompted the Portuguese, who trusted his word, to visit this distant continent. In his letters, he wrote about Japan as a country where “gold is scattered everywhere” (oh, greedy people!). Well, the inhabitants of Portugal, coveting wealth, arrived on the islands and thereby strengthened their (meaning, the islands) relations with Europe.

Yellow hair color indicates the royal origin (how unexpected!) of the character and the presence of hidden potential. And such heroes are smart (not always, however), careless, selfish and vindictive (this most often applies to negative participants).

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Red (赤 – “akai”) is the color of danger, anger and rage (the Japanese break stereotypes). The ancient Japanese, by painting objects red, scared away the devil himself. Maybe this is why many talismans and amulets are associated with the color of akane (茜 which means “madder” - paint was made from the root of this plant). So, for example, the tumbler doll Daruma (達磨) - a red figurine of a meditating priest - brings good luck and happiness (this is without any details). When purchasing, one eye is painted over and a wish is made, and when it comes true, it is the turn of the second (the eyes are meant).

In anime, red-haired guys are considered lovers of female attention (womanizers, to be honest), and girls are considered representatives of royal blood.

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Blue (青 – ao) is the color of meanness, fraud (not always, of course) and modesty.

From the beginning of the 17th to the middle of the 19th century, the Japanese government strictly regulated the lives of its citizens, burdening them with a set of rules and prohibitions. So, for example, ordinary people had to wear kimonos only in discreet colors, which tradition included blue. But the Japanese were smart and created a huge number of patterns and shades of “simple” colors for variety. By the way, even after the restrictions were lifted, indigo silk kimonos did not appear in Japan until the beginning of the 20th century (when the time came for the inheritance of careless granddaughters keeping traditions).

Characters with blue hair are shy and taciturn, constant towards their companions (loyal to them, in general) and strong-willed. True, these are not found in nature (meaning blue hair color).

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Green (緑 – “midori”) is the color of immortality, fertility, spring and prosperity, the color of freshness and eternal youth. This “turn” has to do with trees (again, nothing surprising). Residents of the Land of the Rising Sun believe that tree representatives have a soul - kodama (児玉 or “echo”) and that the gods descended from heaven along the branches of giant oak trees (in fact, the type of tree is not exactly known).

Wearers of green shades (on the head, actually) are naive and simple-minded. They trust everyone they meet and often get into trouble (of course). True, more often than not, they themselves get out of them.

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Black (黒 – “kuro”) is the color of joy and happiness (we continue the line of surprise). It is in black attire that the newlyweds learn the sacrament of marriage, and mothers dress for the wedding in luxurious black kimonos with woven birds or flowers.

The Japanese often refer to the color "kenpo" (拳法 - "law and fist" or "constitution"), which is similar to ordinary black. In fact, it is black with an admixture of yellow - it was in this shade that the Kyoto fencing master Yoshioka Kempo painted the combat clothing of his students (in fact, this reflection got its name from the last name). Kempo is considered a camouflage color that is inaccessible to the non-Japanese eye (bad luck for you and me, comrades).

Anime - brunettes are the embodiment of perseverance, fearlessness and self-control (no, no, no), sometimes they are stern and cold towards the people around them. Black-haired youths usually rebel and go against the system, showing the spirit of real punks - aggressors (sounds kind of creepy).

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White (白 – “shiro”) is the color of divine origin, the color of death, mourning and grief. In white robes, the Japanese accompany the deceased on their last journey in order to transport them to the bright world of spirits - the holy abode of the gods (such a contrast compared to our perception).

Heroes with white hair usually harbor unusual abilities (why am I not surprised?) and are often connected with other worlds (angels, animals, spirits). They can also be called phlegmatic (they are stingy with feelings, as the legend says).

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Purple (紫 – murasaki, can also be translated as “bell”) is the color of warriors, nobility and strength. In Japan, the only flowers that could be given to a samurai were delicate irises. The leaves of this plant are thin and sharp and resemble the blade of a trusty katana. These flowers symbolize joy and good luck to the faithful (and not so faithful) guardian of bushido. Also, “iris” and “fighting spirit” are denoted by the same hieroglyphs (sort of like 闘志).

Purple hair gives its owner determination and a tendency to violence (including against himself, so). Such people can also be weak and submissive (even after violence).

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Pink (東雲 – sinonome or “dawn”) is the color of the morning dawn, the emergence of new life, the indestructibility of the passage of time. As I already said, the Japanese vision of color involves an incredible number of shades. So, in this case we are talking about one of these “shade representatives” of pink. Sinonome is the color of power and strength, born in Japan, and as such carries a “combat” burden. "Dawn" is often used in the names of warships (for example, the pair "Sinonome" and "Usugumo" - the Battle of Port Arthur) or the names of sumo wrestlers.

As fate would have it, pink-haired characters have the indestructible strength of their inner “I” with apparent innocence and purity (they’re faking it!). Their actions are thought out and logical, and their combat skills are quite great. When properly combined, such heroes make excellent super agent warriors.

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Phew, it wasn't easy, but you, dear reader, have reached the end of this masterpiece. And, since you’re here, I’ll make a few amendments to the narrative (so that your inner voice doesn’t scream: “Why! He had green hair!” or “No, all this is nonsense, the author is writing some kind of nonsense”). Firstly: if some of the characters are “out of their color category”, I apologize, because I am a little colorblind (and have not watched all the anime presented). And secondly, I think that knowledgeable fans of the AniDUB portal will come to the rescue and make the necessary amendments (just without fanaticism!).

Well, see you soon, your Arma :3

Eustoma


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Eustoma is a bright flower that can often be found in wedding bouquets. However, it is also used for mourning ceremonies. There was a legend among the American Indians about the origin of this flower. According to legend, the leader of the tribe had a young and beautiful daughter, she was so beautiful that the spirit of war, a terrible and evil deity, fell in love with her. The spirit of war wanted to marry a young beauty. However, the girl refused without reciprocating. Then the deity became enraged and killed the girl, and he razed her father’s house from the face of the earth. The people of the tribe buried the leader and his unfortunate beautiful daughter. And the next day, wonderful lilac bell flowers were discovered on their grave. Since then, the Indians began to revere this flower - for them it personified the innocent soul of a deceased beauty.

Historian's opinion

Denis Markov

Denis Markov

Historian, religious scholar

Even if there is one or several mourning colors, many more options can be used when organizing a funeral procession. For example, if you take Muslims, women are allowed to wear green and purple, along with white. Christians in Russia wear black at funerals, but the deceased in the coffin is often dressed in white clothes: a wedding dress for a young unmarried girl, a shroud, a pillow. However, white color is not used when decorating the room where farewell to the deceased will be held. Men can wear a white shirt, but the suit must be black or another dark color. As we can see, there are no restrictions; each case may have its own exceptions.

Rosemary and periwinkle


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To complete a funeral composition in Europe, rosemary branches were often used as a symbol of fidelity, and periwinkle - a sign of good memory and eternal love. very often planted in cemeteries in Europe. This is periwinkle - a simple creeping plant with evergreen leathery leaves. Since ancient times, it was considered the personification of perseverance and vitality. Our ancestors believed that if you hang a periwinkle over the front door, no evil spirits will be afraid. Planted on a grave, periwinkle is a sign of ever-greening love and faithful memory.

Violet

For a long time, ordinary Japanese were prohibited from wearing purple (紫murasaki)

) clothes. Only the highest nobility could afford extremely expensive robes of this color. And the reason for the high cost was that the roots of a rare plant were used to obtain this shade. It is noteworthy that it is called exactly the same as the color, “murasaki”.

However, during the Edo period (1603–1868), purple dye made from other plants came into use. The shade obtained with its help was called 似紫nisemurasaki

"alternative purple".
But this color became more famous under the name 江戸紫edo murasaki
.

Nowadays, purple has become the color of elegance, but it can also mean something painful. For example, if a Japanese person tells you, “Your lips are purple,” it means that you look sick.

After death

The loss of a loved one is considered a tragedy, even despite the Japanese belief in the immortality of the soul. Therefore, no one condemns people who violently express their emotions. Tears at funerals are taken for granted.

But first of all, the clergyman and the funeral home employee are invited to the house. And if everything is clear with the functions of the second, then the first is needed to carry out the cleansing ritual. The essence of this action is to wash the lips of the deceased using a damp cotton wool placed on a chopstick.

After the above ritual, you need to wash your entire body. Previously, this was done by members of the family of the deceased, but in recent years, the preparation of the deceased for the funeral is increasingly being undertaken by employees of the funeral agency. Events are developing in a similar way in our country. On the website grob-kupit.ru you can choose and buy a coffin today. It is again offered to order funeral services online.

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