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Symbolism and elements of nature are frequently seen in Japanese art. The roots of the Japanese symbolism are to be found in Heraldry (court & warrior society) and religion (Shinto - Buddhism) or were imported from China. The sun, the moon, the dragon and the peacock were, rather than the familiar chrysanthemum and paulownia, the early emblems of the first Japanese sovereigns. Shinto - meaning, the way of the kami (gods) - was the earliest Japanese religion ruled by the world of nature and sensitive to spiritual forces : it influenced the representation of fauna and flora / heaven and earth. Of course over the years many other aspects played a role in the development of Japanese symbolism - influences such as literature or theatre are important as well. Note : Mythology, legends and deities are closely related to this section, but we choose to make a separate file on this category.