1.
wreath; garland; a circular arrangement of flowers or greenery
A ring-shaped decoration woven from flowers, leaves, or artificial flowers. In Japan, large standing 花輪 on stands are commonly sent to shop openings, theatrical performances, and funerals as formal congratulatory or condolence gifts. The word also covers smaller hand-made flower crowns and wreaths for doors or graves.
Compound of 花 ('flower') and 輪 ('ring; circle'). In this word 輪 undergoes rendaku: わ → わ (no voicing, because わ is already a plain kana — no change), so the reading stays はなわ rather than はなば. The word can also be read かりん in some older or specialist contexts, but はなわ is standard.
Usage
- In contemporary Japan, the most culturally distinctive use is the large standing 花輪 — a tall circular floral display on a stand, bearing a ribbon with the sender's name — sent to:
- Shop, restaurant, or office openings (開店・開業祝い)
- Theater, concert, or stage performance openings (公演・初日祝い)
- Funerals and memorials (葬儀・告別式)
- Small woven 花輪 are associated with children playing with clover, daisies, or other small flowers.
- For Christmas wreaths hung on doors, the loanword リース is far more common than 花輪.
Common collocations
- 花輪を贈る: to send/give a wreath
- 花輪を飾る: to display a wreath
- 花輪を作る: to make a wreath
- 開店祝いの花輪: an opening-celebration wreath
- 葬儀の花輪: a funeral wreath
Similar words
- リース: wreath (Western style, especially Christmas) — loanword used for door wreaths and seasonal decorations.
- 花冠・花冠: flower crown — worn on the head, rather than displayed or hung.
- 花束: bouquet — flowers bundled, not arranged in a ring; given as a gift.
- 供花・くげ: funeral flowers offered to the deceased — broader category that includes wreaths and other floral arrangements at funerals.