Flowers have always been a powerful symbol in various cultures and art forms. In the world of manga, they hold a special place, serving as more than just background elements. Flowers in manga often symbolize emotions, character traits, and plot developments. This article explores the rich symbolism of flowers in manga and offers practical tips on how to keep your flowers fresh, allowing you to bring a touch of manga magic into your own home.
The Symbolism of Flowers in Manga
Symbolism is expressed in manga through flowers to relay intended messages to the viewers. Each flower type has a meaning attributed to it, and these meanings are founded on cultural and historical significance. For instance, the cherry blossom, or ‘sakura,’ is an iconic symbol in many manga series and literary works.
They represent life, beauty, and happiness that is short-lived and can be enjoyed only momentarily. This is evident in works like “Your Lie in April Manga” and “Naruto Manga,” where the motifs of cherry blossoms are conspicuous during critical moments of growth, loss, and renewal.
Roses are a flower frequently depicted in manga, and they signify love and passion in particular. In Revolutionary Girl Utena, roses are very significant symbols, communicating the concepts of both love and revolution. Each color of roses has different meanings; red roses imply passionate love and desire, and white roses signify pure and innocent love.
Lilies, also known as “yuri,” are often depicted in the context of yuri manga, a subgenre of manga that depicts romantic relationships between female characters. The lily is an emblem of purity, beauty, and a mystical bond—it signifies the nature of the relationships depicted in these tales.
Apart from these, there are many flowers featured in manga, each bearing its own meaning. Sunflowers may signify devotion and loyalty; on the other hand, chrysanthemums may mean death or grieving, which can be seen in the dark and reflective series. With these flowers, manga artists can put more emotions and meanings into visually depicted work, making the plot more interesting.
Bringing Manga Flowers to Life: Care Tips
As you take your time to appreciate flowers within the manga, some of these flowers will make you want to bring them into your immediate environment. But what do you need to understand to capture the beauty of these flowers? How do we preserve their freshness and brightness? Here are some essential care tips:
Choosing the Right Flowers
The selection process is the first aspect that requires consideration in a procedure that aims to make your flowers last. Choose flowers that look as if they were picked that day and should not show signs of wilting or browning of the petals. For example, choose roses with intricate petals that are not easily bruised and a bright green stem. When it comes to cherry blossoms or other beautiful flowers, check the buds so that they are in the right blooming stage when you get them.
Preparing Your Flowers
After deciding on the flowers you want, you should take some extra care in preparing them properly. First, trim the stems at an angle, preferably 45 degrees, to facilitate water uptake. Cut the parsley with a clean, sharp knife or shear to avoid bruising the stems. It is also important to remove any leaves that would be immersed in water to reduce the chances of rotting and bringing bacteria that may be destructive to the flowers.
Maintaining Freshness
To ensure that your flowers remain fresh for as long as possible, put them in a clean vase and add fresh water. Make sure to replace water every two days and trim the stems to encourage the plants to take more water. Flower food can be placed inside the water where the flowers are placed to supply the necessary nutrients to increase their longevity. Do not place your flowers near windows, doors, or heaters, as these expose them to direct sunlight, cold drafts, and high temperatures, which would cause the flowers to wither.
For specific flowers such as roses, ensure they have sufficient water; indeed, they are heavy drinkers. However, for flowers that require cooler temperatures, such as cherry blossoms, the duration they take to bloom can be adjusted. You should deadhead any withered flowers to avoid them affecting the rest of the flowers.
Conclusion
It is essential to understand that flowers in manga are not just illustrations or mere ornaments; they are symbols that can enrich the manga and give it emotional and profound meaning. These flower motifs have historical, social, and cultural connotations that readers can appreciate and comprehend to understand better the manga they read.
Such flowers, now available to buy and bring home, are a lovely means of engaging with the tales. If adequately taken care of, the flowers will remain fresh and as beautiful as the day they were purchased and help remind one of the symbolism behind them. Enter the world of manga flowers, and let their meanings and the simple beauty of the flowers become a part of your life.
