#Confederate rose

[gon-iii]

しらふの花

2011年、向島百花園。

時間の経過とともにピンク色になるという酔芙蓉。酔っ払いになっていくということですかね。

この時はまだよってないですw

[ifwhitedays]

No. 6093 帰宅

芙蓉の花

[jaubaius]

"Time compress" 39 hours down to 30 seconds /A lifetime of Confederate Rose 

Source

[faguscarolinensis]

Hibiscus mutabilis / Cotton Rosemallow at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

[moku-renn]

帰宅

（芙蓉の花）

[thepolishlynx]

Confederate Rose - We both have secrets

[faithandarisadventures]

Confederate Rose Oak Mountain State Park Pelham, Alabama November 5, 2022

[darkshrimpemotions]

Listen, I remember what it was like to be barely an adult and working a shitty customer service job. It's disillusioning and exhausting, and it can make you feel small and invisible and like a misanthrope real damn fast.

Your boss treats you like shit, customers treat you like shit, your pay is shit...it doesn't take long for every day to feel like it lasts a year and for you to start thinking things like "what if I just went apeshit on the next asshole to try me."

There's a reason police phone boxes and vampires and such show up then. It's because that's when you're absolutely ready to drop everything and follow some madman into total uncertainty. At least it's not more of this shit!

Anyway yeah, what I'm saying is if Nandor the Relentless had walked into Zaxby's while I was working the front register at 19, I would absolutely have pledged myself to his service immediately and then fed him that one asshole who bullied me to the point of daily tears in high school then had the audacity to ask me for free food.

Can't judge Memo for being a little bit unhinged and amoral when I know for a fact I would have been far worse!

[theiceandbones]

If it's not a hurricane it's a noreaster and if it isnt a noreaster it's a wildfire and if it isnt a wildfire it's a carbon tax and if it isnt a carbon tax it's apocalyptic thunder and flash flooding after having rained for a month straight so why anyone would want to live in, to relocate to Nova Scotia is absolutely beyond me

[dixiedrudge]

Macon mayor rejects plan to build Black Confederate memorial (GA)

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller turned down a resolution to accept funds for a Black Confederate memorial plaque says he wants community feedback View Source: Macon-Bibb County commissioners recently OK’d the creation of a Black Confederate memorial, but the move is now at a standstill. Mayor Lester Miller rejected the plan Tuesday during a pre-commission meeting, saying he would “hold off”…

[historydailyfrancischappellblack]

Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow Drowns Off the North Carolina Coast When a Yankee Vessel Runs Her Ship Aground, and She Falls in While Holding $2000 in Gold. October 1, 1864.

Image: Rose O’Neal Greenhow with her youngest daughter and namesake, “Little” Rose, at the Old Capitol Prison, Washington, D.C., 1862. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 1, 1864, Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow drowns off the North Carolina coast when a Yankee vessel runs her ship aground, and she falls in while holding $2000 in gold. She was returning from a trip to…

[zombiekillerbiceps]

Closing In

Leon follows reader home...

Note: thank you to anon for suggesting this premise, ohhhh I did not realize how much I would like writing this - and thank you everyone for your patience!

Content: 3.9 k words, 18+, cnc with enthusiastic consent, stalking roleplay, slasher roleplay, home invasion roleplay, denial, rough sex, taunting, humiliation, crying, overstim, sadism/masochism, Slasher!Leon, obsessed Leon, LeonxReader, fem reader, no y/n. 

-

"I dunno, I just think it's kind of romantic," you say. Your hands fiddle nervously with the tassels on your throw pillow.

"He was a stalker, babe." Leon's voice hides just a hint of amusement. "He cut women up."

"Okay, but besides that-"

"Besides the... The serial killing."

"Yes! Besides the serial killing."

Leon stared at you, an eyebrow arched in judgement. You tried to stay straight faced - by God, you tried - but he had a way of half-smirking his way past your mask with his annoying, pretty face.

"Look, I'm just saying," you roll your eyes, not even sure why you keep talking, "something about... Obsessing over someone like that is kiiind of romantic. What's the point of love if it doesn't make you a little crazy? Y'know? Anne Rice would agree with me."

"Anne Rice was horny for a Confederate twink," he points out.

You gawk for a moment. But like, he's kind of right. So instead of saying anything clever, you throw the pillow at him. He deflects it with his forearm, but that gives you the opening to jump on him. You're wrestling in no time, breathless and sweaty and... Moving against each other...

-

You're out for lunch with your friend, Jessie, at some too-fancy Parisian style café. You sip a caramel iced latte and share a plate of rose coloured macarons. She complains about her studies, you complain about work, and you both come to the resounding agreement that deadlines suck. She complains about her last date, some butch that was more well-read than her that accidentally made her feel stupid. You don't have the heart to tell her that they sounded cool as hell. You tip-toe around telling her about Leon. It's not that you weren't proud of him, it was just... With the nature of his job, what were you going to say? Yeah, I'm seeing this guy who has a gun case built into the dresser and is super paranoid about people visiting his place and won't tell me what he does but he's like, totally a sweet guy and not some psycho? Yeah. Okay.

You stretch, appreciating the summer sun on your limbs and the peaceful breeze around your skirt. Your phone rings. Jessie snatches it up before you have a chance to, and then gives you the most scandalous, shit-eating grin you've ever seen.

"No. Don't you dare-!"

"Hiiiii lover boy," she coos over the phone.

Oh fuck, kill me.

"Jessie, give me the phone!" You reach across the table, the ceramic plate between you clattering loudly against the glass table. You freeze, feeling eyes on you. Jessie opens her mouth in mock embarrassment.

"So you're the secret boyfriend that my best friend keeps hiding from me?"

"Jessie, come on."

She listens for a moment, then laughs. You get up from your chair and walk over to her while she tries to twist away from your grasp.

"mhm, mhm - oh, sorry, I think someone wants to talk to y-"

You finally snatch it from her grasp. You give her a stare with the intensity of someone who can kill by staring. You try to keep your voice as flat as possible.

"Hey, sorry about that. What's up?"

"Is that Jessie?" He asks. He's got that... Quirk in his voice. The one that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. You can feel Jessie watching you and try to keep it cool.

"Yeah, sorry, she's like, literally five years old sometimes."

"She seems fun."

"Babe, I'm kinda busy, did you have a reason for-"

"That's a pretty dress you're wearing."

You freeze halfway to sitting back down in your chair. Jessie tilts her head, giving you that concerned-puppy-dog face she did when she knew something was up.

You clear your throat and find it suddenly dry. You sit back down but you're a little clumsy, your skirt getting caught on the arm rests. You snatch it back, and then trying to regain your cool, you take a sip from your iced latte. You hear him chuckle on the other end. Did it get cold all of a sudden?

"What, uh, what do you mean by that?"

You can practically hear him grin into the receiver.

"I mean," he says, drawing out every syllable. "I can see you. And you look pretty today. That skirt will roll up pretty easy-"

You hang up on him. Mostly in panic. There was no way you were going to do that in public! Your eyes scan the area around you. Pretty cafe patio, pretty park across the street, some people going about their daily business. You can't see him anywhere. He must be fucking with you. He must have known you were going to wear a dress, it's so hot out, and where would he even be hiding?

A cold hand touches yours and you almost jump out of your skin. Jessie's taking your hand in hers, and when you meet her gaze, she looks like she's about to cry.

"I'm so sorry if I caused any issues between you, I totally shouldn't have answered it. I didn't think he'd like, get angry with you," she starts to wetly babble, swaying between guilty and protective. You love her very much, but you don't know what to say.

Oh, it's just this weird sex game we play, I promise this brooding dude who you've never met and only spoken to once is definitely a good guy and not like emotionally abusive.

"Hey, hey, Jessie. Don't worry about it. It wasn't about that he's got this... Thing. Unrelated. But uh, look, I have to go."

She frowns, almost curving her pink lip-glossed mouth into a pout.

"If he so much as leaves a scratch on you, I will kill him."

Your thoughts flit to the bite marks and bruises that are just covered by your dress. If only she knew.

You kiss her cheek, snatch up one final macaron, and take your leave. You try to control your pace, look cool, act natural. Your eyes scan the buildings and alleyways around you. You seriously can't find him.

Your phone rings.

You stare at it for a moment. Your hands are shaking a little when you answer it.

"It's sweet how much she cares about you," he says. An idea dawns on you. You nod and give an mhm sound, listening around you for anything noticeable. A church bell rings just ahead of you and you hear it echo over the phone.

"You're close," you say. You try to sound threatening. He just laughs at you.

"Obviously. How else would I know you're wearing that citrus perfume I love?"

"I wear that everyday." Your voice shakes as you speak, and you can't help but whip your head around. You half expect to see him there, but it's just some guy who gives you a dirty look.

"No, you don't. You only wear it when you're going to see friends. You usually wear the vanilla one. You like that it's so subtle."

You're a little impressed he noticed that. It was kind of sweet, really, if he wasn't totally freaking you out. How did he possibly get close enough to smell your perfume without you noticing?  You start walking again. You want to catch the train home. Maybe you can trap him there.

You use the shop windows as you pass to get a better look, pretending to window shop.

"Do you think I'd look good in that," you ask, with no idea what you're referring to. You're looking past whatever is behind the glass to observe the reflection. A spot of blonde hair, maybe... He got a totally different hair cut? No. Not him.

"Using the reflection. Clever."

He hangs up.

You spin around again, desperately searching the crowd. He was a beefy guy and he moved like a panther, there's no way he was just casually blending in. But, you can't find him.

You wrap your arms around your core. Knowing you're being watched makes you want to shrink into yourself. Yet you can't ignore the excitement you feel. It was kind of romantic, really. Kind of dangerous.

You liked Leon best when he was dangerous.

You set off again, somehow walking a knife's edge between nervous and confident. Both prey and prize. You keep looking over your shoulder as you pass into the crowded underground of the subway station. It's right around rush hour and it's so packed you can hardly move. Other people are breathing your oxygen and you're just recycling theirs. It's tight, and hot, and moving at the exact speed that makes you feel like no one is really getting anywhere. You pull your purse tight to your body and try to shove past people, only to be confronted with more people.

Your phone rings. You hang up. And then, in a stroke of brilliance, you call back.

His ringtone echoes out in the tiled halls. You try desperately to find it, but it only rings out twice, then it's lost in the sea of people.

"Clever," his voice is deep on the other end. "I'm almost impressed."

"Yeah. Why don't you stop hiding?"

"Oh, I know you're eager, but I didn't think you'd want me to cut you up in this crowd."

He's impatient. You can tell by the sharpness of his voice that he's more frustrated than he admits. The threat sends a shiver down your spine, and you can’t help but picture yourself bent over on the filthy tile floor, knife to your throat, fucked within an inch of your life as people step past. The ebb and flow of the crowd pushes you towards the oncoming subway.

"What exactly is your plan?" He asks. You can hear the screeching brakes over the phone. "I know you take the 76 Southbound until Queen Street. I know you get off and walk two blocks to George Street. I know you live in a turn of the century brownstone with a heritage plaque and bathroom sink that takes forever to drain."

You step onto the 76 Southbound near the front. You press your back to the wall and watch as people get on.

"Yeah, well," you say victoriously, "I know you have to go the same way."

And then you see him. He walks directly into your trap, and realizes it too late. His blue eyes widen in realization. The door slams shut behind him.

You hang up.

Some people pile up in front of you, giving you cover from him. You watch him from behind shoulders and under arms. Open, navy bomber jacket and a grey t-shirt with black jeans doesn't exactly scream slasher killer. But, something about how casual he looks keeps your attention. He blends in, he's unsuspecting. And, to your surprise, he's grinning like a fox.

He's broad, and when he moves through the crowd, people make room for him. He scans every seat and every face with purpose. Inching his way towards the back. You realize you have nowhere to go. You start to panic. Maybe you get off a stop early? And then what, he beats you to your house and waits for you?

No, you have to get home before he does. Lock the doors before he can get in. You push closer to the door so you can be the first one off. You turn to track his progress and directly meet his gaze.

Fuck.

His expression drops, his eyes glaring at you from under his brow. You're almost hypnotized by them, frozen in place while he cuts through the crowd.

You're pinned down with nowhere to go. But, surely, nothing will happen in public, right?

He pushes past a few more people and then he's on you. He towers above you, his broad shoulders cutting out other's view of you. You notice how his t-shirt clings to his body. How well fitting his jeans are. You also notice the angry squint in his eyes from under his brow.

"Did you really think you could hide from me?" He brings a hand down to touch your hip, holding it in his grasp. You quiver against him as he leans down, close enough to whisper in your ear. "Don't you know I’ll always find you?"

You turn your head away from him defiantly. Your eyes scan the train, but passengers nearby don't seem to notice. They all have that vacant long-day- commute stare.

"No one's going to help you, sweetheart." He closes in, one arm rests on the wall beside you, his body angled to ensure prying eyes can't see. His free hand slides up your body. It caresses the curves of your hips, the softness of your tummy, the round of your breast.

You flush. Your hands come up to his chest as if that will stop him from pawing at your tits.

"Leon, seriously? Here?" You whisper it, completely embarrassed.

"I can take you whenever I want." He uses that commanding voice you've only heard a handful of times before. "You're mine."

To prove his point, his hand dips between your thighs, and he presses his fingers against your pussy over the fabric of your skirt. It's so sudden and strong, your hand goes to his wrist on instinct. He doesn't stop, rubbing hard enough to make your legs shake.

"Could probably take you right here," he mutters, his breath hot on your ear. You feel yourself get wet at the thought.

"Queen Street." The robotic, automated subway voice chimes out from overhead.

The door opens. You lose your balance, but manage to recover quickly. You move fast, hoping to put as much distance between yourself and Leon as you can. You take the stairs two at a time until you breach the surface, taking in the fresh air like it would save you. But the summer heat brokers no peace, and you know Leon isn't far behind.

You don't look behind you for fear of slowing down. You take one block normally, then decide to cut through an alley way to save time. Every minute was another he could be gaining on you.

As you take a few paces into the alley, your hair starts to stand on end. It's somehow darker here, the smell of mildew and gasoline making your stomach turn. Your cell phone rings. You answer.

"Stop calling!" You snap, betraying more fear than you mean to.

"An alleyway? You're smarter than this." Leon is unphased by your outburst.

You give in, turning your head to look behind you. He stands at the other end, the sun behind him obscuring his features.

Then he moves. With long, easy strides, he makes ground quickly. His hands are stuffed in his pockets and he whistles a slow, off-beat tune. 

You turn and run. Your hand meets the corner at the end of the alley and you use it to redirect your momentum. Full tilt sprinting in a sundress down a public street in the middle of the day probably makes you look crazy. Leon made you look crazy.

You get to your brownstone on George Street. You take the few steps up to the front door. You throw your phone in your purse as you frantically rip through it for your keys.

Fuck, come on, where are they? Lipstick, tampon, water bottle, wallet FUCK! There. You snatch them up like they'll save your life. Your hands shake as you put them in the lock. It turns, and you take one last look to see Leon - oh shit!

He's at the base of the stairs! He takes them by two. You manage to get the door open wide enough to barely squeeze through. His hand slaps against the door but you throw your full weight against it. It slams in his face. He turns the knob. You struggle to hold it against him as you turn the dead bolt. Then the chain. He slams a fist against the door and you slowly back away from it.

A chilling thought dawns on you.

Back door.

You run to the other side of the house, tripping over shoes and a discarded purse as you do, cursing as they steal precious seconds from you. You turn the corner and run directly into the door. Your body stings from the impact. You shakily turn the lock.

Silence. For a few, long minutes, there's just silence. You wonder, disappointed, if he gave up, but take the time to catch your breath.

Your cell phone rings. Sweat rolls down your back as you answer it.

"I got you, motherfucker."

"Did you?" He asks. His voice is cool. Calm. "How confident are you that you got to the back door before I did?"

"I would have heard you come in." You aren't so sure.

"Would you?"

Your apartment is small. You approach the bedroom, then quickly snap the door open. It lies still. Empty.

"You don't scare me," you lie.

"I really almost had you there, didn't I?" He's calling your bluff as you move into the kitchen, "What do you think I would have done if I'd caught up to you?"

The kitchen is still and quiet too. You don't have an answer for him, anxiety knotting in your stomach. You take the turn into the living room.

His arms wraps around your waist with enough strength to lift you off the ground. You scream. You kick at him, but he doesn't budge, dragging you into the living room.

You see a window open.

"Did you climb the fucking trellis?" You ask, shocked and amused at the sight. He tries not to laugh.

"Yeah."

"What are you, Romeo?"

"You said you wanted romance," and then, his voice drops again to that cold, serious tone that makes you feel like prey, "isn't this what you wanted?"

He lets you go and you take the opportunity to run. But his hand is entangled in your hair, the sharp pain making you cry out. Tears gather in your eyes and you whimper. You grab his forearm and try to pull away, but the self-inflicted pain makes you freeze. He rolls his eyes.

"You're just so fucking predictable."

He drags you across the living room floor. It hurts, bare knees roughly hitting the hard wood floor. He lifts you up with an arm around your stomach. Then, he's bending you over the couch.

You try to push back against it. You struggle against him. He pulls your head back by the hair and you nearly sob.

"Please, don't," you whimper. He rolls his eyes at you.

"Not our safe word, sweetheart."

His words make you feel so beautifully helpless. The tears finally fall down your cheeks and, at the same time, you become aware of how soaked your cotton underwear is. His hand comes up and slaps you sharply. You whimper. He does it again, this time harder. The stinging in the side of your face is enough to make your pussy clench around nothing.

He pins you to the side of the couch his hands on your hips. He rolls your skirt up, and makes a choked sound at the sight of you. He tears your underwear down harshly. 

"Please, don't," he mocks with a harsh slap on your ass. "Try and tell me you don't want this."

A finger slides along your slick, from hole to clit. He presses his finger against it just slightly but it's enough to make your hips buck. He gently rolls a finger around your clit a few times, already building that high in the pit of your stomach. He barely fucking touched you and you're already desperate to cum, breath ragged, legs shaking. Leon pulls away. You whimper in disappointment. Then his hand comes down hard against your ass cheek. Then again. Then again. Then again.

The pain is overwhelming. But god, you don't want him to stop. You want hand-shaped bruises on your ass, you want to remember this every time you sit down for the next week.

"You look so pretty for me when you cry" His hand still wet from your cunt comes up and rubs your tears away, leaving an obscene mix of your tears and your desperation for him on your cheeks. The tears keep falling anyways. Then, softly, "you do remember our safe word, right?"

You nod, but you don't say it. You want to go further. You want him to hurt you more. 

“Hey, answer me when I’m fucking talking to you,” he grabs you roughly by the jaw, wrenching your face to look at him. 

“Yes,” you nod, desperately. “I remember.” 

“Wasn’t so fucking hard,” he says. He slaps you again, hard enough to stun you into a stupid, teary-eyed grin.

You hear his pants unbutton, then unzip, then fall to the ground, but you're so overwhelmed you can't move. His hand still in your hair, still tugging enough to remind you of your place beneath him, he lines his hips up with yours.

Then he's pushing into you. One, smooth motion is all it takes, your cunt greedily pulling him in. A high pitched moan escapes his throat, followed by a groaned "so fucking wet."

He fucks you deep and slow. Torturously slow, enjoying every minute of pleasure that he gets. The head of his cock presses against your g-spot, building the high like one boils water. Slowly. Your abdomen pressed against the couch makes it easier for him. The hour of teasing and adrenaline and painful foreplay has you overstimulated. But it’s really the slow, deep fucking that drives electricity through your body. Push and pull, ebb and flow, your face and ass stinging as he works. You’re already bordering on the edge, but his pace doesn’t allow you to go over. You just hover there. And hover there. And hover there. For what feels like hours you’re kept right on the edge without ever going over, building the tension inside you until it fucking hurts, and then you’re crying again. You want him to slam his hips into you, to fuck you into the couch, to do something to make you cum, but he doesn’t.

“Leon, it hurts,” you whine. 

“It’s supposed to.” 

“Please,” you beg, desperation making your voice hoarse. “Please just make me cum, please.” 

“Relax.” 

“Leon-” 

“I said relax. Or I’ll stop right now. Do you want me to stop?” 

“No,” you shake your head, hair falling into your face. 

He takes his time to smooth it back, looking at you like you’re the most beautiful thing in the world. He wipes more tears from your cheeks. When he speaks, though, his voice is so hard and cold. 

“Greedy little whore.” 

With no warning, he’s fucking into you harder. Faster. It only takes a few thrusts before you’re cumming on his cock. Your body tenses so hard your muscles scream, shaking and moaning and gasping for air. Your cunt tightens so hard you hear Leon breathe a fuck, baby. It feels like it lasts forever, and when you finally come down, you’re entirely dazed. 

You’re... vaguely aware of his cum dripping out of you, hot and sticky. But for the most part you just feel like you’re floating. Leon slowly lowers you to the floor, grabbing a throw pillow and tucking it under your head. You close your eyes. 

You wake again when the room is an orange glow, a blanket thrown over you for comfort. Leon is lounging on the couch reading a book, and when you stir, you immediately have his attention. 

“Hey,” you mumble sleepily. 

“Hey. Thought I’d let you sleep, you looked like you needed it. Why don’t I run us a shower?” 

“Yeah,” you smile softly, dreamy fuzziness still clinging to you. “I’d like that.” 

[maslimanny]

Beautiful "Hibiscus mutabilis" also known as the Confederate rose, Dixie rosemallow, cotton rosemallow, is a plant long cultivated for its showy flowers.Originally native to southern China and Taiwan.!!

[frostfires-blog]

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Part 1A: OP1 Hana Ni Natte

┏ · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ┓

The first eight flowers in the anime's first opening "Hana Ni Natte" correspond to brief, individual story arcs in the first cour of season 1...

-> 1.1) Rhododendron

The 1st flower depicted in the opening is the Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.)—which is also featured during episodes 1 and 2.  In Japan, this flower is called shakunage (石楠花). It symbolises majesty, danger and caution in hanakotoba. The Rhododendron’s symbolism of “majesty” is believed to be derived from its beautiful, bountiful flowers while its symbolism of danger and caution stems from the poison in its leaves. Rhododendron plants contain toxic compounds known as grayanotoxins, which, if consumed, can be dangerous to humans and cats. The symbolism of the Rhododendron in other countries is similar to that in Japan. In Western floriography, it represents danger, caution, and suspicion. In contrast to this, the flower also represents beauty, fragility, and grace due to its intricate shape. Pink rhododendrons in particular represent self-love and compassion.

-> 1.2) Cotton Rose

The 2nd flower featured in the first opening is the Cotton Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis)—also called the cotton rosemallow or confederate rose. Cotton roses were featured in the third episode of the anime and are canonically associated with Princess Fuyō who shares her name with the flower. Notably, in the opening the double-flowered variant of the Cotton rose was used rather than the standard version used in the anime. In Japan, cotton roses are called fuyō (芙蓉). In hanakotoba, it symbolises delicate beauty and gentle love—likely derived from its flowers which evoke a delicate, soft feeling. This flower exhibits a phenomenon known as floral colour change, in which the blossoms are white in the morning, pink around midday, and red by nightfall. Cotton roses can be toxic to humans, potentially causing skin irritation and burns if incorrectly handled. Cotton roses are most commonly symbolic of eternal love, devotion, and affection in Western floriography. It also represents sacrifice and resilience—and is historically tied with the American Civil War. The flower's capability to change colour from white to red has made it a symbol of the transformation and adaptability that individuals and communities endure during times of conflict and transition.

-> 1.4) Violet

The violet (Viola mandshurica) is the 4th flower depicted in the first opening; they also appear briefly in Episode 5. While generally not harmful to humans, some violets contain substances that can harm cats if ingested. In Japan, they are called sumire (菫). In hanakotoba, violets symbolise honesty, humility, sincerity, and small happiness. Purple violets in particular represent chastity and love. Their representation of humility and honesty is probably derived from their profound blossoms, which thrive discreetly by the roadside or in the grass. In Western floriography, violets symbolise modesty, faithfulness, intuition, spiritual wisdom, harmony and balance. Purple violets symbolise daydreaming and “you occupy my thoughts”—while blue violets symbolise honesty, love, trust, commitment and devotion.

-> 1.5) Montauk daisy

The Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum) is the 5th flower depicted in the first opening, and additionally, they also appear briefly in episode 6. Some daisy varieties can be mildly toxic to humans—causing irritation if consumed—but poisonous to cats. In Japan, they are called Nippon giku (日本菊) and represent faith, peace, hope, chastity, beauty and facing hardship in hanakotoba. White daisies in particular symbolise innocence. Its symbolism of beauty is derived from its Latin name while its symbolism of hope is derived from the property of its flowers to open when light shines on them. In Western floriography, daisies symbolise chastity, beauty, rebirth, new beginnings and hope. This is because they are usually the first flowers to bloom in the spring. White daisies represent purity and innocence; whilst pink daisies represent gentle admiration, affection or adoration. Daisies also represent loyalty, love, simplicity, humility and the ability to keep a secret.

-> 1.6) Toad Lily

The 6th flower depicted in the first opening is the Toad lily (TricyrtIis hirta), which also appears in episode 8 of the anime. Although toad lilies are not regarded as being highly toxic, they are poisonous to cats. In Japan, toad lilies are called Hototogisu (ホトトギス)—which coincides with the Japanese name with the lesser cuckoo bird. This is because the markings on its petals are similar to those on the bird's chest. consequently, the "Little Cuckoo" lullaby sung by the courtesan in episode 8 and Fengxian in episode 23 shares the same name as the flower. In hanakotoba, toad lilies symbolise loyalty, friendship, hidden thoughts and “forever yours”. In Western floriography, toad lilies symbolise elegance, beauty, and fertility. In Buddhism, they symbolise wisdom, strength and compassion.

-> 1.7) Nandina

 The 7th flower depicted in the first opening is Nandina (Nandina domestica)—often called heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo. This plant is also featured in episode 9 of the anime but is depicted as a fruit rather than a flower. In Japan, the Nandina is called Nanten (南天) and symbolises “good family” and “my love only grows” in hanakotoba. Nandina blooms with small, white flowers in early summer)—before developing little fruits that gradually redden as winter approaches giving rise to its symbolic representation of "My love only deepens." Additionally, Nandina's symbolism of a "good family" stems from its abundance of fruits, which are interpreted as a symbol of prosperity for offspring. On New Year's Day, the nandina is also considered an auspicious tree to ward off catastrophes. In Western floriography, the nandina represents good luck, fortune, and prosperity. This is due to the Nandina being considered a lucky charm in Japan, which has recently led to it becoming a popular housewarming gift. Despite its positive meaning, Nandina is highly harmful to birds and mammals. However, it is widely regarded as non-toxic to humans.

-> 1.8) Azalea

 The 8th flower depicted in the first opening is an orange azalea (Rhododendron japonicum). Additionally, red-pink azaleas appear during episode 11. Aside from its beauty, the azalea is known for being extremely toxic—it contains andromedotoxins in its leaves and nectar, including honey made from the nectar. Given that its nectar is equally hazardous, Japanese beekeepers avoid gathering honey during its flowering season in areas where it grows naturally. In Japan, these flowers are called renge tsutsuji (蓮華躑躅) and represent patience and modesty in hanakotoba. Orange azaleas symbolise passion and constancy—while red azaleas represent temperance and "burning thoughts". In Western floriography, azaleas represent temperance, prudence, caution, love, passion, and romance. Since azaleas symbolise temperance, which refers to self-restraint—particularly when confronted with temptation—they are considered a representation of moderation or the balance of different elements in one's life. Orange azaleas specifically symbolise vitality, excitement, encouragement, adventure and discovery. While red azaleas represent love, beauty, passion, and desire, as well as a woman's tenacity and defiance. Additionally, azaleas can represent fragile love as their blossoms easily come off from their stem upon the slightest touch. Consequently, the flower is used to signify a fragile love that can still persevere into a lasting one. Due to the Azalea's toxicity, in certain cultures, giving someone a bouquet of azaleas in a black vase is taken as a death threat.

┗ · ──────── ·𖥸· ──────── · ┛

Part 1A│ Part 1B │Part 2

╰➤ Other anime & donghua hanakotoba posts

[A/N: Please check out part 1B and part 2 as well! Since I've only watched the anime but haven't read the manga or light novels and thus cannot comment on how everything ties into the overarching storyline or character development—I didn't go into too much detail here... Also, since there are so many flowers featured, this post would grow way too long if I did lmao. 

If anyone has any ideas on what anime/anime theme song I should cover next in this series please lmk✿ Also, if you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts...]

[whencyclopedia]

Shishunaga Dynasty

The Shishunaga Dynasty (also Sishunaga/Shaishunaga Dynasty) ruled the Magadha Kingdom in ancient India from c. 413 BCE to c. 345 BCE (in some sources from 421 BCE). It is said to be the third imperial dynasty of Magadha after the Brihadratha and the Haryanka, though the Brihadratha Dynasty is considered as mythical now. The first ruler of the dynasty was Shishunaga himself after whom it has been named, who came to power when the people revolted against the earlier Haryanka Dynasty in the 5th century BCE. The Shishunaga Dynasty had a very short reign before it was succeeded by the Nandas and then the Mauryas, but it too contributed to the solid foundation of the Magadhan Empire which was to dominate the Indian subcontinent for the upcoming centuries.

India Before the Shishunagas

After the Vedic civilization took its roots in the Indian subcontinent from around 1500 BCE, various political units rose in northern and northwestern India. This changed from the 6th century BCE onwards when some kingdoms rose to the east in the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains. During this time, the Indian subcontinent formed mainly into two political units – the Janapadas (which roughly means foothold of the common people) and the Mahajanapadas (the greater foothold of the people). There were 16 Mahajanapadas, and in the 6th century BCE, four out of them became very powerful – Kosala, Avanti, Vatsa, and finally Magadha. The ancient kingdom of Kosala falls roughly to some parts of the present-day Uttar Pradesh state in India. Avanti was Central India and now the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and Vatsa was also another part of modern Uttar Pradesh state.

The most powerful of them was Magadha, which would go on to dominate the entire subcontinent during the time of the Mauryas. All the polities close to Magadha except Avanti were defeated in battle and gradually annexed by the warrior king of Ajatashatru (r. c. 493/492 BCE - c. 462/460 BCE) of the Haryanka Dynasty. He also defeated the powerful confederation of the Vrijjis to the immediate north with their capital at Vaishali after 16 years of ancient Indian warfare from c. 484 BCE to c. 468 BCE. By the time Shishunaga ascended to the throne, Magadha, roughly corresponding to the present-day provinces of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and the countries of Bangladesh and Nepal, had a very effective system of administration and government, a powerful army and a flourishing trade network.

Continue reading...

[the-13th-omniscient]

Jasper Cullen Defense Post

So there's a few common critiques of Jasper's character that I've seen floating around, and I wanted to counter those criticisms.

The biggest is that Jasper is only on the diet because of Alice. This one is 100% false. The guidebook and Eclipse state that he was driven into a severe depression by virtue of feeling the emotions of his victims. It was so bad that he continually starved himself after leaving the South in an attempt to stave it off.

Obviously Alice helps tie him to the Cullens specifically, but let's not pretend that he wants to kill people. He's got 70+ years worth of trauma from absorbing the dying emotions of all his victims. Without Alice, he'd absolutely remain on the diet, because going off of it means going back to the worst period of his life.

The second one, and one of the more annoying ones, is that he's racist/owned slaves. Now, the Newborn Wars are a clear parallel to slavery, yes. But Jasper's backstory doesn't suggest that he owned slaves. We know he grew up in Houston, enlisted at a young age, and rapidly rose from common foot soldier to major.

The scion of a wealthy slave-owning family wouldn't be a foot soldier, he'd start out as some kind of officer.

And joining the war doesn't necessarily mean he supported slavery. The majority of the Confederate army was made up of poor/lower class people who'd never owned slaves. Jasper probably joined for the same reasons as Edward's reasons for trying to join the army, a desire to win fame and glory. It's hard for me to really fault a late teenager/young adult for that, it's something that's driven young men since time immemorial.

Even if he was racist, though, which is never suggested in the books or films, it's hard to say Jasper's experiences in the Newborn Wars didn't adequately punish him. The dude lived 70 years in absolute hell, soaking up the misery of others with a psychic gift that makes it impossible for him to ignore anyone's feelings.

Thanks for reading!