(ENG)
Most of the houses around our house, including my own, have Nandina plants in front of their entrances.
In Japan, Nandina is considered a plant of good omen because of the Japanese saying, "Turn a hardship into a blessing. It is sometimes used as a New Year's decoration or to ward off bad luck.
During the season when flowers are scarce, the bright red color of Nandina berries jumps out at you when you walk down the street and makes you feel cheerful.
(JPN)
自宅を含めて、うちの周りの家にはたいてい玄関前に南天が植わっています。
南天は日本では「難を転じて福となす」との語呂合わせから、縁起の良い植物とされています。お正月の飾り物や厄除けにも使われたりします。
花の少ない時期に、道を歩くと南天の実の鮮やかな赤い色が飛び込んできて、明るい気分にさせてくれます。