彼岸花
higanbana[çiɡã̠mba̠na̠]
The English phrase "spider lily" is translated into Japanese as 彼岸花 (higanbana).
Meaning: the common name for a number of different plant species (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
higanbana
When do people say it?
Because these flowers bloom around the autumnal equinox, they are deeply associated with the Buddhist concept of the transition between the living and the dead.
Did you know?
- While the name translates to 'flower of the other shore', the plant is actually toxic and was historically planted around graveyards to prevent animals from digging up corpses. This practical use reinforces its reputation as a flower of the underworld.
- Because they are linked to funerals and the dead, giving 彼岸花 as a gift to a living person is considered a serious social taboo in Japan.
- The name contains a linguistic phenomenon called *rendaku*, where the word 花 (hana) transforms into bana when joined to the previous word. This shift is a common way Japanese words undergo phonetic changes to make them easier to pronounce.
Examples in context
- あの赤い花は彼岸花ですか？Ano akai hana wa higanbana desu ka?Is that red flower a spider lily?
- 彼岸花は秋の訪れを感じさせます。Higanbana wa aki no otozure o kanjisasemasu.Spider lilies make me feel the arrival of autumn.
Example conversation
A couple is walking through a park during autumn.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、見て。彼岸花が綺麗だよ。Yui, mite. Higanbana ga kirei da yo.Yui, look. The spider lilies are beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui本当。とても鮮やかな色ね。Hontou. Totemo azayaka na iro ne.True. They are a very vivid color.
- 陽太 Yotaこの辺りは彼岸花の名所なんだ。Kono atari wa higanbana no meisho nanda.This area is a famous spot for spider lilies.
- 結衣 Yui陽太君、写真に撮ってもいい？Youta-kun, shashin ni totte mo ii?Youta, can I take a picture?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spider lily” translations and entries 彼岸花, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 彼岸花, CC BY-SA 4.0.
