In Japan, there are many flowers that symbolize a variety of things. The most common flower symbols in Japanese culture is the sakura, which represents femininity and youthfulness. However, there is one flower that has a more morbid meaning – the Yomogi (Mugwort).
Yomogi is a common flower that grows throughout Japan along roadsides and in fields. It blooms from summer through fall and can reach up to 1 meter tall. Its leaves are slightly sticky so it can catch small insects for food. In its natural habitat, animals such as rabbits or deer will eat yomogi when other food sources aren’t available during certain seasons.
Japanese Death Flower
While the yomogi plant itself isn’t poisonous to humans, if it is burned, the smell becomes quite toxic. It may also cause dizziness and vomiting if ingested. Yomogi is used as an ingredient in some Oriental medicine to treat colds, fevers, coughing, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
In Japan there are a variety of superstitions that revolve around yomogi. In particular one superstition says that yomogi can ward off evil spirits. This’s how it became associated with death – during the Edo period, people believed that it could prevent demons from entering homes – thus making them a symbol of protection against death .
However, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid having yomogi in your house! Just don’t burn it or eat it!