Imperial crest of Japan

The imperial crest of Japan, usually called the chrysanthemum crest (菊紋, kikumon), chrysanthemum flower ceal (菊花紋, 菊花紋章, kikukamon, kikukamonshō) or imperial chrysanthemum crest (菊の御紋, kikunogomon), and sometimes the imperial seal, is the crest (mon) used by emperor of Japan and members of the Imperial family. The significance related to this symbol comes from its representation. The chrysanthemum is used to represent the emperor as the symbol of the country and the unity of the people. The imperial crest is also used to distinguish the imperial family from the other classes of people in Japan. The flower represents longevity, rejuvenation and royalty; this is why Emperor Go-Toba chose to represent himself with the flower back in the 13th century.