What is なでしこ in なでしこJAPAN


I think this what the women's soccer team is called, but I'm not clear on it.




It is short for `大和撫子` (yamatonadeshiko), which refers to the stereotypical
attributes (particular kind of beauty and purity, etc.) that are traditionally
considered to be observed among ideal Japanese women. It also refers to
Japanese women with such attributes. The male counterpart is `日本男児`
(nippondanji). This meaning was derived from the plant name ナデシコ as Dave
points out. The `ヤマト` (yamato) [old name of Japan] part was added in order to
distinguish it from `カラナデシコ`.




It is short for `大和撫子` (yamatonadeshiko), which refers to the stereotypical
attributes (particular kind of beauty and purity, etc.) that are traditionally
considered to be observed among ideal Japanese women. It also refers to
Japanese women with such attributes. The male counterpart is `日本男児`
(nippondanji). This meaning was derived from the plant name ナデシコ as Dave
points out. The `ヤマト` (yamato) [old name of Japan] part was added in order to
distinguish it from `カラナデシコ`.

