pink (flower); Dianthus
Refers to any flower of the genus Dianthus, especially the fringed pink (Dianthus superbus). Commonly written in kana.
Pinks are blooming in the garden.
The pink flowers have a nice fragrance.
lovable girl; caressable girl
Archaic metaphorical use, comparing a sweet girl to the flower. Now mostly encountered in classical literature or set phrases like 大和撫子.
In classical language, a woman may be described as being like a pink (lovable girl).
A set phrase meaning an idealized Japanese woman, combining 大和 (ancient Japan) and 撫子. The archaic sense of 撫子 as 'lovable girl' survives in this compound.
large pink (flower); Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus · ideal Japanese woman; woman with traditional feminine virtues
Dianthus japonicus; Japanese pink
Dianthus japonicus; Japanese pink
large pink (Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus)
Japan women's national football team; Nadeshiko Japan
Katakana spelling is common for the plant name; usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling is also common and matches the usual-kana usage.
Kanji spelling is rare and mostly literary or traditional; not recommended for everyday use.
Very rare kanji spelling; primarily of historical or botanical interest.
The name なでしこ is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 撫子 literally means 'caress child', reflecting the flower's delicate appearance and the archaic metaphorical sense of a lovable girl. The alternative kanji 瞿麦 is a Chinese borrowing used in botanical contexts.