Learn about the history and language of carnations, a Mother's Day classic!

Carnations have long been a beloved flower given to mothers on Mother's Day.
In Japan, they are available year-round and can be found not only at flower shops and home centers, but recently also at convenience stores and variety stores.
This article will explain how carnations became so popular, as well as their flower meanings and more.
We hope this information will be helpful when choosing a gift.

What kind of flower is a carnation?

Carnations are believed to have originated in Southern Europe, particularly along the Mediterranean coast.
The name "carnation" is thought to derive from the Latin word "carn (flesh)." Indeed, red carnations do resemble the color of raw meat.
Another theory suggests that in medieval Europe, carnations were often used as a motif for coronations, so the name "coronation flower" may have evolved into "carnation."
In any case, it is clear that they have been loved for a long time. The wild carnation species is also said to have a clove-like scent and was used to flavor wine.

■ Basic information about carnations

Carnations are a type of Dianthus. If you look closely, you can see that they share the same stem as Dianthus.
In Japanese, they were apparently called Oranda Nadeshiko (Dutch Dianthus), Jakou Nadeshiko (Musk Dianthus), or Oranda Sekichiku (Dutch Pink).

■ Characteristics of carnations

Carnations are composed of many petals, and their ruffled appearance gives them a luxurious impression.
Also, as they have undergone extensive selective breeding, they feature a rich variety of colors and shapes.
Cut flowers are very versatile, often used in floral arrangements and bouquets, and are also made into preserved flowers.
However, due to their high water content, they are not suitable for drying. While they can be somewhat beautifully finished with silica gel, they tend to fade quickly.

What is the language of carnations?

The general flower meaning of carnations is "innocent and deep love." Other meanings include "love for a woman," "sensibility," "emotion," and "pure affection."
As a very popular flower that has been loved for a long time, carnations have different flower meanings depending on their color and the number of stems in a bouquet.
I will explain each of them individually.

■ Carnation flower meanings by color

Carnations are known for their wide range of colors.
There are roughly eight main colors, but including subtle variations, there are many more.
The most common colors are red, white, and pink, but there are also deep red, yellow, orange, purple, and blue.
Carnations have various flower meanings depending on their color, which I have summarized below.

■ Carnation flower meanings by number of stems

Carnation flower meanings also vary by the number of stems.
While carnations are a classic Mother's Day gift, these numerical flower meanings are often used for proposals or expressing feelings to a lover.
If your partner loves carnations, it can be a nice gesture to give them a bouquet with a meaningful number of stems.

■ Do carnations have negative meanings?

When I work at a flower shop, customers often ask me, "Do carnations have any negative meanings?"
I usually explain that flowers generally don't have negative meanings, but some people might interpret certain flower meanings negatively. For example, yellow carnations have negative flower meanings such as "contempt," "rejection," "disappointment," "jealousy," and "wavering affection."
These meanings are attributed to yellow because it was the color of the clothes worn by Judas, who betrayed Jesus Christ.
Also, in older times, white carnations were traditionally given to "deceased mothers," so some people avoid giving white carnations on Mother's Day.
However, you don't need to worry about it too much these days, so it's only something to be careful about if you're giving a gift to someone who is particularly sensitive.

■ The History of Carnations

Carnations have been cultivated since the Greek era and appear in Greek mythology. Their scientific name, 'Dianthus,' means 'flower of God,' and they have been cherished by many people since ancient times.

As time progressed, around the 16th century, selective breeding in England led to the birth of white carnations and other varieties not found in wild species. By the 17th century, they became extremely popular among horticulture enthusiasts, with over 300 varieties, including double-flowered and large-flowered, being created primarily in England and Holland.

Then, in 19th century France, the 'everblooming' carnation, similar to those seen in flower shops today, was developed. This revolutionary improvement made carnations a beloved flower worldwide.

Carnations are designated as the national flower in Spain, Monaco, and Slovenia, among others. In Spain, they symbolize the passionate nature of the country, and are also known as a symbol of maternal love, stemming from the legend that they originated from the tears of the Virgin Mary.
(Reference: Chiba Prefecture Seasonal Freshness Guide "Carnation")
(Reference: Meiko Flower Bridge Co., Ltd. "Is Carnation a 'Fragrant Flower'?")

■ The History of Carnations in Japan

Carnations were first brought to Japan during the Edo period. It is said that they arrived from the Netherlands around the time of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu.
However, carnations were not cultivated in Japan thereafter, and it was not until the late Meiji era that they were brought in for cultivation.
At that time, a Japanese person living in America brought back three varieties and cultivated carnations.
However, the carnations brought from America were not well-suited to Japan's climate, so cultivation proved difficult.
Around 1925, a man named Ryujiro Doi brought American greenhouse technology to Japan, along with other flowers, and full-scale greenhouse cultivation began in Setagaya (then known as Tamagawa Greenhouse Village), where Youkaen is located. This led to the establishment of carnation cultivation techniques and their widespread adoption as a common variety in Japan.
(Reference: Ota Floricultural Auction Market Inc., Flower Life Research Institute "History of Carnations")

Why are carnations given on Mother's Day?

In Japan, giving carnations on Mother's Day is a tradition. During the Mother's Day season, carnations are not only displayed in flower shops, but also
sold in home centers, convenience stores, department stores, and other retail outlets.
But why are carnations given on Mother's Day? Wouldn't roses or dahlias be just as good?
There's a good reason for this, so I will explain why carnations are given as gifts on Mother's Day.

■ The connection between the origin of Mother's Day and carnations

The reason carnations are given on Mother's Day is deeply connected to the origin of Mother's Day.
During the American Civil War, there was a woman named Ann Jarvis who worked to improve sanitation for wounded soldiers.
In 1907, her daughter, Anna Jarvis, held a memorial service for her deceased mother. She adorned the altar with white carnations, which her mother loved.
People moved by this service held a similar gathering the following year and celebrated it as "Mother's Day," which led to Mother's Day spreading throughout America.
At the second gathering, Anna Jarvis handed white carnations to all participants, and since then, white carnations became the symbol of Mother's Day.
Although it began as a memorial service with white carnations, red carnations are now the standard.

Read about the history of Mother's Day here

What kind of flower gifts include carnations?

Carnations are popular flowers and, being available year-round, are used in a variety of floral gifts.
Additionally, because carnations have straight stems and large blossoms, making them very convenient, many florists prefer to use them.

■ "Bouquets," a classic floral gift

Carnations are also included in bouquets given for birthdays and wedding anniversaries. While they are rarely the main flower, they are often used in combination with roses and dahlias.
For occasions like Mother's Day, bouquets with carnations as the main flower are often created. Their ruffled petals are very attractive and make for a striking display.
Carnations are favored by florists because of their large size and impressive appearance. Their straight stems also make them easy to use in bouquets.
They are sometimes used in wedding bouquets, but less frequently than flowers like roses and dahlias.

Carnation Bouquets Recommended for Mother's Day

[Mother's Day] Bouquet -M- Pink

¥7,800-

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■ "Flower Arrangements" that are easy to manage by simply placing them

Carnations are also frequently used in flower arrangements given for celebratory occasions.
Since carnations have large blooms, they can effectively fill space, making for voluminous flower arrangements when included.
Additionally, there are various varieties of carnations, and their appearance and color impressions can differ significantly, so a single carnation can change the entire atmosphere of an arrangement.
It might be interesting to look at flowers from this perspective, as carnations are often found in reasonably priced flower arrangements.

Carnation Arrangements Recommended for Mother's Day

[Mother's Day] Arrangement -M- Orange

¥6,980-

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■ The Mother's Day Classic: "Potted Plants"

2026/05/01 2026 Mother's Day direct-from-farm potted plant gifts concluded sales on April 30th (Thursday). "Potted plants are sold out, but bouquets and arrangements are still available for order."

Potted carnations are available around Mother's Day. Potted carnations produce multiple blooms on a single stem, allowing you to enjoy watching them bloom from bud to flower.
Potted carnations are different varieties from cut flowers, so you might discover carnations that you wouldn't see in bouquets or flower arrangements.
Growing them from seeds requires a bit more expertise, so caution is advised.

Potted Plants Recommended for Mother's Day

Carnation Red
The quintessential Mother's Day gift! Popular potted carnation

¥4,950-

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When is the birth flower of carnation?

Carnations are known as the birth flower for May.
They are also designated as birth flowers for specific dates. We have summarized the details below, so please refer to them.

Carnation	Carnation birth flower
Carnations in general	"January 11", "January 21", "February 16", "April 15", "May 9", "May 10", "May 11", "May 12", "May 13", "May 15"
Red Carnation	"January 21", "May 10""May 11", "May 12", "May 13", "May 15"
White Carnation	"January 29", "May 9", "October 31"
Pink Carnation	"January 11", "January 21", "May 10", "May 15"
Striped/Variegated Carnation	"February 16"

Summary

While carnations are often associated with Mother's Day gifts, they are flowers available year-round and are essential in bouquets and flower arrangements.
They are a favorite among florists, and we can expect to see many more stylish carnations developed through continuous breeding.
With their wonderful flower meanings, we encourage you to entrust your feelings to carnations and give them to your loved ones.