Originating in China, the camellia flower has a rich history and even more vibrant cultural significance. The flower grows wild in the southwest region of the country and is also highly respected in Japan and other countries.

Camellia is native to the milder regions of Japan. There, it is most often found in mountain forests and thickets. Most of them bloom in late winter or spring. In Japan, "japonicas" are important evergreens in traditional Japanese gardens, and are also used in parks as shade trees and in hedges. The cut stems with their flowers are used in the traditional art of ikebana.

This flower has many meanings besides its inherent beauty. Commonly chosen as a tattoo symbol, the camellia is a meaningful flower. The red camellia, called tsubaki in Japan, historically symbolized a noble death among Japanese warriors and samurai. Today, it also represents love. A white camellia means waiting, while the yellow camellia conveys desire.