Chrysanthemum displays, Sanbon jitate

The chrysanthemum displays at the end of autumn in Japan stand out through the richness of shapes and colors, and because of the variety of floral arrangements.

Beyond the aesthetic value, many of these arrangements carry a deep symbolism. The arrangement photographed here, three flowers growing on three stems per plant, is called Sanbon jitate, and the first flower represents the heaven, the second the earth, and the third the human.