Facts, Myths, and Origins of Higanbana: The Death Flower that Often Appears in Anime

Kapanlagi.com - If you're an anime enthusiast, you must have often seen the appearance of Higanbana or Red Spider Lily. One of the most striking appearances is in the ending of Kimetsu No Yaiba: Demon Slayer, because Higanbana's visual always appears first at the end of each episode.

Higanbana flowers often appear in scenes depicting sadness or death. Yes, this flower from the amaryllis family with the Latin name Lycoris radiata is also known as the flower of death and hell flower.

Well, it turns out that the flower, also known as Red Spider Lily, does exist in the real world. Where does it originate from? And what is the myth behind this particular flower? Check out the following discussion..

1. Meaning and Myths

Photo Credit: Pxfuel

The meaning of higanbana is taken from the word 'Higan' which is a Buddhist festival celebrated on the first day of autumn, which is a national holiday in Japan. Higanbana grows on the first day of autumn, around the last week of September in Japan. This flower then withers around the first day of spring.

In Buddhist belief, that moment is when spirits from different realms can visit the world. Therefore, some Japanese people make offerings during the Equinox Day for deceased relatives.

The bright red higanbana flower is also considered as a guide for those who have passed away to the next realm. Because it is associated with death, although beautiful, higanbana flowers are not used in flower bouquets in Japan.

2. Origin

Photo Credit: Pxfuel

Higanbana does grow in Japan, but this flower originally comes from China, Nepal, and Korea. Only the female varieties managed to enter Japan. That's why higanbana cannot reproduce through pollen like most other flowering plants. Higanbana is said to only grow from bulbs because it does not travel with the wind.

Although most of them are red, higanbana also has other color variations, namely white and yellow.

3. Poisonous Flower

Photo Credit: Unsplash / S. Tsuchiya

Another interesting fact, higanbana is actually poisonous, especially its bulb. This flower is usually planted around graves and cemeteries, one of the reasons being that its bulb is said to deter rats and other animals from eating the newly buried family members in the grave.

In addition, farmers in Japan often plant higanbana in rice fields to keep rats and other pests away. This natural rat poison is also planted by people in rural areas of Japan to keep rats away from their homes.

This usage also contributes to higanbana being referred to as the flower of death.

(kpl/gtr)