On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. Everyone's favourite spelling bee word, the name "chrysanthemum" is derived from the Ancient Greek for gold (chrysos) and anthemon (flower). Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century BC. Over 500 cultivars had been recorded by 1630. The plant is renowned as one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese and East Asian art. The plant is particularly significant during the Double Ninth Festival. Chrysanthemum cultivation began in Japan during the Nara and Heian periods (early 8th to late 12th centuries), and gained popularity in the Edo period (early 17th to late 19th century). Many flower shapes, colours, and varieties were created. The Imperial Seal of Japan is a chrysanthemum and the institution of the monarchy is also called the Chrysanthemum Throne. Yellow or white chrysanthemum flowers of the species C. morifolium are boiled to make a tea in some parts of Asia and in Korea, a special rice wine flavored with chrysanthemum flower. Small chrysanthemums are used in Japan as a sashimi garnish.