The radish

The radish, cut into the shape of a chrysanthemum, that the airplane chef gives to Izumi symbolizes Japan’s welcoming of their new princess. The radish later becomes an inside joke between Izumi and Akio to reference their first meeting.

The mug

The mug that Izumi broke when she was seven, which Hanako cried over, was a gift from Mak. It symbolizes Hanako’s enduring love for Izumi’s father, as she clings to this mug as proof that he once loved her.

The purple iris

The purple iris, the flower Mak chooses for Izumi as her emblem, symbolizes “purity and wisdom” (56). It proves to Izumi that her father genuinely cares about her and admires her.

The greenhouse

The greenhouse, full of orchids, symbolizes Mak’s enduring love for Hanako. Planting orchids is Mak’s way of honoring the memory of his first and only...