1.
peony
A flowering plant known for its large, showy, fragrant blossoms. Regarded as a symbol of wealth, beauty, and nobility in East Asian cultures. Blooms in late spring.
庭に牡丹が咲いた。
Peonies bloomed in the garden.
牡丹は「花の王」と呼ばれている。
The peony is called the 'king of flowers.'
牡丹の名所として知られるお寺を訪れた。
I visited a temple known as a famous spot for peonies.
USAGE:
The kanji 牡丹 are standard but the word is sometimes written in hiragana or katakana. The peony has deep cultural significance in East Asia and appears frequently in traditional Japanese art, kimono patterns, and tattoo designs.
CULTURAL NOTES:
The saying 立てば芍薬座れば牡丹歩く姿は百合の花 (standing she is a peony, sitting she is a tree peony, walking she is a lily) describes the ideal beauty of a woman. 牡丹鍋 is a hot pot made with wild boar meat, named for the way the sliced meat is arranged to resemble peony petals.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 牡丹の花: peony blossom
- 牡丹園: peony garden
- 牡丹鍋: wild boar hot pot
- 牡丹雪: large, fluffy snowflakes