# Plum blossom

梅 ume

![Plum blossom](https://www.furoshiki.com/motifs/ume.svg)

The first flower to bloom in late winter, the plum stands for perseverance, hope and a new beginning; one of the "Three Friends of Winter" (shōchikubai).

Introduced from China; favoured at court in the Nara period (8th century)

The Japanese apricot (ume) came from China, and in the Nara period it was the flower the court admired most, following the Chinese habit of writing poems over wine beneath plum trees. 'Hanami' originally meant plum viewing, until cherry replaced it in the Heian period. Through the Chinese 'Three Friends of Winter', the plum joined pine and bamboo as a celebratory set (shōchikubai). It was also planted in the northeast of gardens against evil.

A late-winter and early-spring motif, worn from New Year until the blossoms open; plum-viewing (umemi) is still popular.

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Source: https://www.furoshiki.com/motifs/ume/