Everyone loves flowers, and that’s because they look good, they smell good, and they have this power to change someone’s mind. One of the flowers that have been referenced in many anime is the Red Spider Lily, also known as the death flower.
This flower has caught the attention of many, and that’s not just because of its beauty but also because of what it actually represents. Today we’ll be talking about the Red Spider Lily and what it actually symbolizes and means in anime.
Be ready because you are about to learn some intriguing facts about Red Spider Lily, and these truths will definitely interest you in this flower.
What Is Anime’s Red Death Flower?
The Red Death Flower, aka Red Spider Lily or Higanbana Flower, is a widespread Japanese flower referenced in many popular and non-popular anime. The fun fact is that this flower did not originally originate from Japan; instead, it was brought from China.
Even though it’s a gorgeous flower, it is still considered mildly poisonous and is also used to protect rice fields from animals by the farmers. Also, there is a compelling reason why it’s called Death Flower. In earlier times, people used to plant Red Spider Lily over the graves of dead people so animals would stay away from the grave. Gradually, It became a ritual that was done after a person’s death, and that’s how it became popular under the name “Death Flower.”
With its intricate design and powerful symbolism, the Red Spider Lily is a cherished flower in Japanese culture that continues to enjoy popularity even today.
What Does The Red Spider Lily Symbolize In Japanese Anime?
The Red Spider Lily flower is an iconic symbol in anime with both literal and figurative meanings.
On a literal level, the Red Spider Lily typically stands for a final goodbye and separation that can also mean death, with its significance often being represented in various scenes throughout the medium.
Symbolically, it often connotes life’s impermanence and the preciousness of time; it suggests that life should be lived to the fullest but also with respect for the mortality of each individual.
Additionally, it is sometimes used to represent resilience: even when a character ultimately does not achieve their goal or fails at achieving something, they still have the strength to move forward after a tragedy or during hardship. As such, it plays a vital role in many popular stories as both a central plot point and an underlying motif.
Meaning Of The Red Spider Lily With Examples
Red Spider Lily has been referenced in several anime, such as Tokyo Ghoul, Dororo, Demon Slayer, and many more. The Red Spider Lily plays an important role in an anime, and that’s because it represents death, although in some cases, it doesn’t.
In Tokyo Ghoul, a Red Spider Lily is shown when Ken is being tortured and is being pushed to accept his ghoul side. These flowers represent that Ken is no longer a human and his kindness has been taken away, and now he will walk on the path of violence. However, This was not the only time these flowers were shown in the series. A Red Spider Lily was shown when Ken’s mother was about to die.
Dororo is one of the best anime with a lot of specialties, and one of the things that made everyone cry was when Ojiya, the mother of Dororo, died. Many people didn’t notice that she died in a field of Red Spider Lilies, which became her grave. Here, these flowers actually represent death and Dororo’s loneliness at a young age because her mother is no longer in this world.
Another good example of Red Spider Lily is the popular hit anime series Demon Slayer. We all know Demon Slayer is an anime full of deaths, and it’s not like Red Spider Lily was shown during the death of a character. Instead, they were shown at the end credit scene of the episodes.
Mostly, people skip the credit scenes, but at the end of many episodes, these flowers are shown to pay tribute to the character. And one more thing we didn’t notice was that Demon Slayer had its own Spider Lily flower, but it was not red; it was blue and has medicinal features.
Best Places To View Red Spider Lilies In Japan
Japan is home to some of the most stunning and varied flora, including the striking Red Spider Lily. A beloved symbol of fall in Japan, these vibrant flowers appear in late summer and early autumn across much of the country.
The best places to view Red Spider Lilies in Japan are beside rivers or ponds, as they are naturally emerging or purposely planted. The Akagera River in Tochigi Prefecture is one popular destination, offering miles of easily accessible riverbank views as well as nearby mountain hiking trails through lush forests adorned with red spider lilies. A more urban experience can be found at Saitama’s Hidaka City Ward; here, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll around flower beds that burst into bloom in full force by mid-September each year.
Well, That wraps everything about Red Spider Lilly in anime. What do you think about this flower?
