10 Chinese flowers and their symbolism

China has an ancestral culture, among the oldest and most interesting in the world. This culture, which radiates a large part of East Asia, is also extremely diverse, with major cultural differences between cities, villages and provinces. At the heart of this culture, flowers have always had a place of honor. They play a major role in everyday life. But it was in art and poetry that flowers were most present. Like Westerners, Chinese people like to think that flowers transmit positive messages and they are therefore recurrent in literature, food, drinks and decorations.

Through this article we will see the 10 Chinese flowers most characteristic of Chinese culture and the positive messages they transmit.

1) Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are associated with the famous Chinese poet Tao Yuanming. In one of his works, he refers to chrysanthemum as a symbol of humility. He wrote: "By picking up chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, my gaze was quietly landing on the southern mountains". It is one of the most famous Chinese poems, which reflects a peaceful and happy life, the dream of any ordinary man.

In Chinese culture, chrysanthemum also symbolizes longevity. According to Chinese medicine, chrysanthemum tea is an excellent remedy for treating fever or a battered stomach. The Chinese therefore like to drink this tea dear to their hearts after eating too spicy or cheese food, for example. In China, people also use dried chrysanthemian petals to pillows.

2) Chinese pink

Having a strong resemblance to other roses, but with larger petals and fewer thorns, this plant is exclusively from the subtropical and temperate Nordic latitudes of China, hence the name of "Chinese pink". History says that the culture of roses began in China at least 5000 years ago and then extended elsewhere in the world.

One of the greatest Chinese poets and essayists, Su Shi, of the Sung period (960-1279), described the flower in its poem: "The most beautiful peonies only appear at the beginning of the summer and at the end of spring, while Chinese roses flourish for four seasons in infinite beauty. Whether it flourishes or fades, the flower never cares about the arrival of spring. ”

The buds and flowers of the China rose are infused in tea or soup, and are also used as kitchen herbs. People eat the fine fleshy part that surrounds the seeds in the raw state or after cooking. Rose seeds are also a good source of vitamin E and are ground to be used in food. In China, these flowers are used profusely in the perfume and cosmetics industry.

3) Peony

The peony is characterized by bright colors, a large size and multiple petals. Many consider peony as the country's national flower although it is not officially declared as such.

It was the great Chinese poet Li Bai who compared the beauty of his mistress Yang Yuhuan to peonies. He wrote: "The floating clouds remind me of his clothes, and the peonies her face". In most images of the New Year, fairy children always hold peonies. Peonlands wear people's wishes for a new rich and promising new year. Flowering from May to June, the bright colors of peonies and their large fluffy petals symbolize wealth, good fortune and honor in traditional Chinese culture.

4) Lotus

The lotus, in ancient Chinese culture, was the symbol of the nobility and the purity of a woman. Lotus flower, with its leaves, seeds and roots, has been widely used in Chinese medicine and cuisine for over 1000 years. In the province of Hubei, the specialty is the use of lotus roots as the main ingredient of soups.

Lotus is a precious flower in Buddhism, which is one of the most present religions in China. The lotus despite it grows in muddy waters, lets itself flourish with magnificent immaculate white petals.  This is why it symbolizes the purity of an enlightened spirit which can arise even in the midst of the sufferings of Samsara (world). The Lotus flowers on April 8, lunar in Beijing, which is the anniversary of the Buddha, and on January 8 lunar, which is the day of the lotus.

5) Prunier flower

Mao Zedong, the most influential revolutionary in China who appointed the country "People's Republic of China", wrote a poem entitled "Ode to the flower of the plum". He described these flowers like: "Just and beautiful. She does not need spring for her own account, but only to announce the arrival of the season. When all flowers flourish in abundance, it smiles among them".

Plum flowers were metaphors to honor the great martyrs. This famous Chinese flower symbolizes purity, perseverance, promise and perpetual beauty. This flower is also a solid symbol of success. In Chinese culture, the plum flower with bamboo, chrysanthemum and orchid, are called the "four gentlemen". People also call it "winter friend", it represents the meaning of endurance.

6) Camellia

It was between 220 and 280 AD that the camellia flowers were planted in China. "Ode au Camélia" is an old poem written by Madame Huarui. And this poem describes the camellia like: "Flowering on the hills, like the glow of a burning sunset and floating pink clouds ... The landscape is more beautiful than hundreds of flowers flowering in the sky."

This beautiful flower can cure burns and stomach burns. Do you know that camellia is considered the official flower in southern China? In Chinese culture, this flower symbolizes young sons and daughters.

The main use of camellia is tea with camellia.  Other varieties of camellias can treat heart disease, asthma and bacterial infections.

7) Azalea

This beautiful flower flowers in the spring and its flowering period often lasts several weeks. Azalea is the flower of the provinces of Guizhou, Jiangxi and Anhui. In addition to being admired by the Chinese, it was traditionally used for the treatment of health problems. In fact, this plant is toxic and therefore it is only used today in ornamental purposes.

Azaleas symbolize happiness and can always suggest the warm passion of people for life. Out of 800 world varieties, the Chinese have 600 different varieties of azaleas! In the old China, people sent these flowers as a gift to testify to their affection. The Azalea flower is also a symbol of feminine beauty and moderation.

Often represented in several poems and stories of ancient China, Azalea is one of the favorite Chinese flowers of the poet of the Tang Bai Ju-Yi dynasty.  He wrote in a poem devoted to this flower that Azalea represented Shi-Xi-Xi, one of the "four legendary beauties" of Chinese history.

8) Hibiscus

Europeans have scored around the world to find resources and, when they stopped in China, they found hibiscus. It is the only ornamental plant they brought back with them.

Meng Chang, the last king of the Shu state (during the five dynasties), had a particular penchant for this flower. He ordered his people to cultivate hibiscus flowers around Chengdu, which will later be known under the nickname "City of the Hibiscus". Hibiscus is one of the most famous Chinese flowers, which symbolizes glory, fame and splendor.

9) Magnolia

The Magnolias were so precious and expensive that, in Antiquity, only Chinese emperors could own. At that time, only a member of the imperial family was authorized to cultivate or have Magnolias. When he wanted to thank someone for a great service, he offered a Magnolia who then showed his gratitude.

Magnolia has medicinal properties and helps fight indigestion, depression, constipation, weight loss, headache, asthma, anxiety, inflammation and stress. Hou Po is one of the rare varieties of Magnolia which grows in the Chinese province of Sichuan and it is therefore in great demand for its healing properties.

In Feng Shui, with peony and wild peeler, Magnolia is often offered as a gift to wish honor and wealth. If the Magnolia is represented with bees in paintings, this represents personal growth. In general, this flower represents feminine beauty.

10) Narcissus

Zhu XI, a follower of the Confucian school of thought, described the narcissus like "A fairy with yellow hats and green sleeves". These charming green, white and yellow flowers grow in water and have an unrivaled beauty. It is a symbolic flower of the Chinese lunar new year.

According to Greek mythology, the flower received the name of a hunter, Narcissus. He was the Son of the God of the Cephissus River, renowned for his beauty. In Chinese folklore, the flower is the incarnation of the two daughters of the legendary Chinese leader Yao, NV Ying and E Huang.

The story says that this flower was an import of Italy during the reign of the Tang dynasty in China. The provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, located on the south-eastern coast of China, have a long tradition of narcissus. The flower symbolizes elegance, purity, good fortune and happiness.

We hope that this article on Chinese flowers has interested you and that you have learned a little more about Chinese culture, so rich and exciting. If this article made you want to decorate your Chinese flower house, so rich in symbols, you can consult our collection of Chinese decoration.