The Japanese maple tree is native to Japan, Chinese, and Korea and there are about one thousand varieties of this plant of which three of these are largely cultivated.
The Japanese maple tree, Acer palmatum, derived its name from two Latin words Acer which mean “sharp” which is derived from the blades of the leaves and palmatum which means “hand-like” refers to the shape of the leaves which appears like the human palm.
The Japanese maple tree is a small deciduous tree which can either grow singly or as a group of trees and they are popular in the Japanese culture as they are also used for decoration purposes and can also be grown as bonsai.
In the Japanese culture, several stories surround the use of the leaves as fried foods and they are usually stored for a year before fried to give it more taste.
The Japanese maple trees’ leaves usually emerge in summer with green coloration and the color varies from red to purple to orange to yellow in autumn.
This tree is known for its beautiful color in autumn and they grow at the rate of 1 – 2 feet per year and they grow for the first 50 years of its lives and they can live more than a hundred year if grown in a favorable environment.
This tree is now appreciated all around the world and it was introduced to England in 1820 and they usually perform well under a cool environment.
In this article, we will take you through the various symbolism and meaning of the Japanese maple tree, so if you want to learn more about this tree or you need an answer in regards to this tree, this is the perfect place for you to be. Read on to learn more.
What is the Symbolism of the Japanese Maple Tree
The Japanese maple tree is a tree with a great history and stories associated with it as it was greatly appraised in the Chinese and Japanese cultures and around Asia.
There have been many symbols of this tree and some of them include beauty, great blessings, peace, serenity, magnificence, the arrival of autumn, and lots more.
This tree has also found its way to the art and craft of the Asians as well as the gardening and poetry practices of the people in that region.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss more about the various symbolism of the Japanese maple tree so you should pay attention to each of them to learn more about this tree.
Symbol of Peace
The Japanese maple tree appears to adapt well in environments that are very cool and souls that have the optimum water level required for its survival.
There is a practice among the Japanese in which they visit the place where this tree grows in large amounts to have a view of its beautiful and attractive nature.
This tree can grow in any controlled environment, either in a bowl, plastic, or containers and this signifies it’s ability to grow without the need to have a large land when controlled or grown as bonsai.
The tree is a sign of your ability to maintain peace and harmony around the world and to also keep people happy at all times.
Symbol of Abundant blessings
The Japanese maple tree produces leaves, seeds, and fruits at the right time at the required point in their lives.
The leaves of this plant grow during summer and they appear greenish at first before changing color during autumn and it varies depending on the species of this tree, but they usually appear reddish.
The leaves develop till the end of autumn and it also produces fruits known as “samara” which is produced between the month of September and October and they produce them in large amounts which are in great amount and they can be used for different purposes.
This can be seen as a sign of a new development that is about to happen in your life in the nearest period of time.
Symbol of Serenity
The Japanese maple tree is a very significant tree in nature and it was popular among the Japanese, a result of its name.
In their culture, this tree was regarded or called “kito” which means “calm”, “rest”, or “at peace” in the Japanese language and this is a sign of the quiet and peaceful nature of this tree.
This tree is quite welcoming and wonderful and it possesses the ability to keep people happy whenever they see it in sight and it helps to keep the body calm and free from stress.
This tree is an important feature in gardens and they are sought after by people due to its spectacular appearance.
This tree is a sign that you need to try as much as possible to be the source of happiness for the people around you.
Learn to be a confidant that people can come to in times of trouble or in difficult situations that they get cut up in.
Symbol of Beauty
The Japanese maple tree develops horizontal branches and bright red/orange/yellow leaves in autumn and this appears quite beautiful and excellently.
This sight of this colorful plant attracts those who love this tree so much and it is of great relevance to those who love trees all over the world as they appear beautifully.
This tree is believed to possess pure elegance and a sense of tastefulness which makes those who are familiar with this tree fall so much in love with it in their surroundings, even the shrubs produce beautiful colors that are lovely.
This is a sign of our inner beauty and characteristics and it can be considered as a sign that you need to show those around you the beautiful and accommodating part in you.
You should know that you are a source of attraction to the world and you will be known by the seeds that you have sown to the world, choose to be a sign of love and affection.
Arrival of Autumn
The colorful leaves of this tree in autumn has given it a place in the heart of those who grow this plant.
In the Japanese culture, it was believed that the Japanese maple tree is to be planted in the garden to welcome the autumn season as a friend.
There is a ritual particular to the Japanese referred to as “momiki-gari” which means “maple hunting” and it involves visiting the wild, that is the natural environment of this plant, to have a look at the brilliance of the maple tree.
The first color produced by the maple tree is green, however, as soon as the autumn season kicks in the color of the plant’s leaves begin to change color and it can either turn yellow, red, or orange.
What is the meaning of the Japanese Maple Tree
The Japanese maple tree has different meanings in the lives of those who grow them either in gardens.
This tree has so many varieties around the world and they develop both the male and female flowers on a single tree, that is they are monoecious.
Below, we will discuss more about the various meanings of the Japanese maple tree so you should pay attention to each of them to know more about this plant.
Sign of Patience
For the Japanese maple tree to attain its full nature and beautiful structure, there has been a whole lot of patience associated with this.
The maple tree grows in most cases a foot in a year and to reach it’s required length or height it takes about 20 – 30 years.
This tree passes across a message to us as humans, it means that we need to be patient at all times, we do not need to hurry to reach that position that we want to attain in life and we should be careful and relaxed.
This is also a sign that to attain your full potential in life, you need to learn step by step and this will take a lot of patience and persistence.
Sign of Survival
Either you plant the Japanese maple tree as a seed or through vegetative means, all that matters is for it to grow.
This tree is popular with its association with areas with partial shade, that is, places where there is a little exposure to sunlight.
This tree possesses the ability to survive and they do this at all cost and they possess the ability to survive every challenge that are directed towards them.
You should know that you are a blessed individual and you will be able to survive every situation that comes your way.
Conclusion
The Japanese maple tree has a lot of history in different cultures and traditions around the world.
This tree can be seen as a symbol of peace, serenity, abundance, and beauty and they also have different meanings in the life of those who have it around them.
This tree portrays the fact that you need to be a source of light to the world and you must always keep your environment in a good and excellent state.
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