noun
pink (flower); Dianthus
Refers to any flower of the genus Dianthus, especially the fringed pink (Dianthus superbus). Commonly written in kana.
庭にナデシコが咲いている。
Pinks are blooming in the garden.
ナデシコの花は香りが良い。
The pink flowers have a nice fragrance.
noun
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.
古語では、なでしこのような女性と表現することがある。
In classical language, a woman may be described as being like a pink (lovable girl).
Very rare kanji spelling; primarily of historical or botanical interest.
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.
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.