Beyond the Block: Chrysanthemum Bowl
From symbols of longevity and nobility to colorful autumn decoration, chrysanthemums have flourished for centuries in Chinese and Japanese art and porcelain.
A close look shows the vertical ridges that create the chrysanthemum shape.
Images courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Leland Little.
Botanically, fall is associated with foliage (or food plants) more than flowers, but bold blossoms haven’t faded away just yet. Chrysanthemums bloom in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, purple, red, and pink throughout the season, making them a popular symbol of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. They are native to East Asia, where they were first cultivated in China thousands of years ago and were introduced to Japan around the 8th century, and retain important roles in art and cultural traditions.
Celebrations for the Double Ninth Festival, observed throughout East Asia on the ninth day of the ninth month, include decorating with chrysanthemums, using them in cooking, and drinking chrysanthemum wine. Traditionally, the “ninth month” is determined by the lunisolar calendar, but after Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar, the festival is celebrated on September 9 as Chrysanthemum Day.
In China, the chrysanthemum is one of the “Four Noble Ones,” a group of plants that symbolize ideal virtues of nobility and are frequently referenced in art and poetry. (The other three are plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo.) As an autumn flower, the chrysanthemum’s ability to blossom in cool weather makes it a symbol of longevity and strength in adversity.
In Japan, the chrysanthemum retained the longevity symbolism and association with nobility. It took on additional important symbolism in Japan in the 12th century, when Emperor Go-Toba adopted it as a personal symbol. The chrysanthemum became the Imperial crest. Today, chrysanthemum crests still appear on Japanese passports, while historically the Imperial chrysanthemum also appeared on some Japanese swords as a symbol of association with or service to the Imperial household.
Most decorative arts, including paintings, textiles, and ceramics, depict chrysanthemums more realistically. For example, an 8 3/4-inch-wide Japanese porcelain bowl hand-painted inside and out with delicate chrysanthemums along with autumn grasses and butterflies sold for $375 at an auction by Leland Little in June 2026. It dates to the early 20th century. In addition to the painted decorations, the bowl is described as having a “chrysanthemum form,” with a scalloped rim and narrowly lobed body suggesting the petals of the flower.
On a darker, but still seasonally appropriate, note, chrysanthemums are associated with mourning in many countries, particularly in Europe. This makes them favored decorations for All Saints' Day on November 1—also known as All Hallows, since the day before is Halloween.
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