Oh Mum!!

The chrysanthemum flower has always held a special place in my heart because in Eastern Indian languages like Assamese and Bengali, it is called ChandraMallika, which is an amalgamation of my dad's name and mine. I remember his face breaking into a gentle smile whenever he saw one because of that connotation.

Only very recently, I learned that it is also the official flower for November, my birth month, when a friend gifted me a custom jewelry box with my name and a mums blooms on it.  On checking further, I learned that this flower has ancient history originating in China and regarded as one of the Four Gentlemen of China” — a group of prestigious  plants that each signify a new season with mums signifying autumn. In Japan, they are held in such high regard that the Emperor’s throne is referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne. In Australia,  they signify "Mother's Day" since they bloom there in May. All over the world they signify qualities like purity, perseverance, honesty and the like. 

This autumn, my mum and I (pun intended) witnessed the most beautiful exhibition of mums in Longwood Gardens.

This is a single plant with 1200 blooms

            Jewelry box gifted by a special friend!