Chinese Chrysanthemums on Red Cushion

Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are a genus (Chrysanthemum) of about 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteracae, native to Asia and northeastern Europe. Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century BC. An ancient Chinese city (Xiaolan Town of Zhongshan City) was named Ju-Xian, meaning "chrysanthemum city. The flower was introduced into Japan probably in the 8th century AD, and the Emperor adopted the flower as his official seal. There is a "Festival of Happiness" in Japan that celebrates the flower. The flower was brought to Europe in the 17th century. Linnaeus named it from the Greek word chrysous, "golden" (the colour of the original flowers), and - anthemon, meaning flower. This design is circular except for the fact that the smaller of the two flowers breaks through the circle as if it needs more room. The Chrysanthemum design is white and has been put on a red background which has a different motif.