Danganronpa 2 Flower Language Symbolism During Chapter 3
I’m not sure if anyone else noticed this but, when I was playing Danganronpa 2, I noticed that the flowers are different in each hospital room during Chapter 3. I immediately recognized that these different flowers are associated with the respective patients, because of my knowledge on 花言葉 (hanakotoba). My knowledge is thanks to an old P5 Royal post I made regarding flowers. 😊
So I decided to go over each flower I saw for each patient!🙏
In Ibuki’s room, there is a sunflower on the cabinet.
Sunflowers are called 向日葵 (Himawari) or in katakana ヒマワリ in Japanese.
In Japan, sunflowers are well-known for being a happy flower because the kanji “向日” means “facing the sun” as if they are always chasing the sun. They usually symbolize brightness, sunshine, and happiness!
In Hanakotoba (花言葉) Sunflowers mean:
私はあなただけを見つめる (I only have my eyes on you)
あなたを幸福にする (I will make you happy)
崇拝 (Admiration / Adoration)
あなたは素晴らしい (You are amazing)
This connects well with Ibuki’s personality because she is usually cheerful, carefree, and happy. She is also loud and full of life and energy, something that sunflowers also represent. 🌻🌻🌻
Not only are sunflowers full of sunshine, they also produce some tasty seeds! Sunflower seeds are my favorite seeds to eat. 😄
Nagito Komaeda - Red Spider Lilies
In Nagito’s room, there are red spider lilies on the cabinet.
Red Spider Lilies are called 彼岸花 (Higanbana) in Japanese.
In Japan, red spider lilies are well-known to be associated with the themes of death, departure, and the afterlife. The kanji “彼岸” (Higan), can mean “the afterlife” which is why this flower is referred to as the “Death Flower”. The bulbs of these flowers are also poisonous, which adds on to the ominous and dangerous symbolism it holds. In Japanese media, these flowers would usually appear when someone dies or when someone goes through a new transformation. In addition to that, these flowers are also often seen in graveyards as a way of mourning the dead.
So these flowers usually symbolize “Death”, “Rebirth from Death”, and “Change/Metamorphosis”.
In Hanakotoba (花言葉) Red Spider Lilies mean:
It’s not surprising that Nagito represents this ominous flower, because it actually makes sense for his character. It can also portray his near-death experience when he had the Despair Disease, because those red spider lilies were there during that time. Nagito has always been dancing around life and death due to his Ultimate Luck. In his FTEs, he mentioned that his Luck can bring death to others, and it also gave him a life threatening illness. It’s as if his Luck is a curse that poisoned him like a poisonous red spider lily. 😔
and well what do you know? Red spider lilies are actually my favorite flower because I love red, I love its beautifully creepy shape, and I love the foreboding symbolism it holds! 💖
In Akane’s room, there are bananas on the cabinet.
Bananas are called バナナ (banana) in Japanese.
Bananas are not flowers so there is no Hanakotoba (花言葉) for them. It can just mean that Akane loves food, but I think there is some symbolism behind them.
Bananas can symbolize transformation and personal growth, because the ripening process of bananas, from green to yellow to brown can portray that. This can probably symbolize Akane’s growth as a character after witnessing Nekomaru’s “first death” during that time, and her willingness to get stronger. Bananas are also good to eat after a good workout to prevent sore muscles, so maybe that can relate to Akane’s athletic nature. 🍌🍌🍌
Bananas were actually my favorite fruit back when I was a kid, and nowadays I usually eat them after going to the gym too! 😊
Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu - White Orchids
It was hard for me to tell what kind of flowers are on the cabinet in Fuyuhiko’s room, so I guessed that it was Pink Carnations at first. Thankfully, @purpleparasol was able to correct this for me! It turns out that the flowers are actually White Orchids with pink centers!
Orchids are called 蘭 (Ran) in Japanese.
In Japan, orchids in general can symbolize beauty, elegance, wealth, and power. Since Fuyuhiko is an heir to the Kuzuryu clan, "wealth and power" can fit into this. But white orchids in particular holds another meaning.
In Hanakotoba (花言葉), White Orchids mean:
When it comes to the "purity" meaning, this can mean "cleansing yourself from contamination". I think these flowers represent Fuyuhiko "cleansing" himself from his previous actions and is in the process of turning over a new leaf. He is going to start fresh during this period in the game, which fits the meaning of "New Beginnings".
When these white orchids are used in funerals, it can also mean "pure feelings towards the deceased". I think these white flowers can also be Fuyuhiko's feelings for Peko after she died. Him metaphorically cleansing himself from contamination after witnessing Peko's execution would be his way of having "pure feelings" towards her. Don't mind me, I am once again hitting myself in the feels with the KuzuPeko angst 😭😭😭
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I can never look at flowers the same way anymore in anime/video games after delving into Hanakotoba years ago. I might end up making another flower-related post in the future at this rate. 🥴
