Weeping plum, Weeping cherry, Weeping willow, etc, there are many plants named “weeping-“. They are characterized by its long drooping branches as its name suggests. If there is no wind, they will hang down and if the wind blows, they will streaming in that direction. In the Orient, there is the idea of “無為自然”. It means that one realizes a state of attaining spiritual enlightenment, forgetting the fact that one is but a mortal. Weeping plants make the Orientals associated with its idea.

枝垂れ梅、枝垂れ桜、枝垂れ柳、枝垂れの付く植物は沢山あります。「柳に風」という慣用語がありますが、逆らわないものは災いを受けないと意味で、また、相手が強い調子であっても、さらりとかわして巧みにやり過ごすと意味でも使われます。老子の「無為自然」(宇宙のありかたにしたがって、ありのままであること)は東洋人に染み付いた思想ですが、この影響かもしれません。