1. 中 国 的 植 物 文 化 Plants Symbolism
zhōng guó de zhí wù wén huà
中 国 的 植 物 文 化
Plants Symbolism

2. Attaching symbolic value to plants, flowers, and trees is a phenomenon common to all languages and cultures. In China, the cultivation and appreciation of plants is something that began thousand years ago. From those times, Chinese people had endowed many special significance.

3. Writers, poets and painters have depicted flowers and trees in their artistic pursuits. Over time, the symbolism of plants has become a complex part of Chinese culture. Historically, plants have also been thought to embody certain spiritual features that have shaped the customs and character of China as a nation.

4. China is famous as being home to many thousands of varieties of flowers, many of which are cultivated for the personal pleasure of Chinese people. The five most widely appreciated and culturally significant are:

5. mǔ dān
牡 丹
peony

6. jú huā 菊 花
chrysanthemum

7. méi huā
梅 花
Plum blossom

8. hé huā
荷 花
lotus

9. lán huā
兰 花
orchid

10. Pine and bamboo are also very populer
sōng shù zhú zi
松 树 竹 子

11. Many different aspects of plants, flowers and trees are admired, including their shapes, colors and scents.
In Chinese, the expression Three Friends in Cold Winter (suì hán sān yǒu )refers to pine(sōng), bamboo(zhú) and plum trees(méi)

12. Four Gentleman sì jūn zǐ 四君子

13. sōng shù 松 树
Pine is held in high esteem as one of the Tree Friends in Cold Winter because it is evergreen

14. because it is evergreen, grows straight and tall, and can endure cold weather with relative ease. People value it as a symbol of integrity, tenacity and uprightness. Confucius once said “Only after it turns winter are we aware of the survival of the pine and cypress.”

15. Due to the fact pine trees grow to a great age , they are also a symbol of longevity . In Chinese art pine trees and cranes represent long life. When being sent as greetings to older people on their birthdays, these especially popular couplets are often used :

16. （A thousand year old crane. An evergreen pine tree.）
1、fú rú dōng hǎi chǎng liú shuǐ ，shòu bǐ nán shān bù lǎo sōng（As auspicious as the unceasing water in the eastern sea. As timeless as the longevity pine of the southern mountain）
2、yuán hè qiān nián shòu ， cāng sōng wàn gǔ qīng
（A thousand year old crane. An evergreen pine tree.）

17. Zheng Banqiao, a prodigiously talented Qing Dynasty artist noted for his writing, painting and calligraphy not only painted bamboo but also wrote poetry praising its qualities.
The great Song Dynasty poet and food conoisseur Su Dongpo once noted that “To live without meat will only make one thinner. But to live without sight of bamboo, this will make one vulgar”

18. zhú zi 竹 子
Bamboo is depicted in Tree Friends in Cold Winter and Four Gentlemen (Four men of Honor ), and have many rhetorical implications in Chinese culture.

19. Somewhat similar to pine, the fact that it is evergreen, and its stems are strong and hard make it an apt symbol of integrity, strength and loyalty. In Chinese, the hollow aerial culms and the nodes of bamboo are homophones for modesty with self-esteem.

20. méi 梅
The character 梅（plum）has over time been incorporated into the names of people, places, books, music and art forms. The name of a noted Qing Dynasty scholar, Chen Mengmei, means dreaming of plum.

21. A famous book is called An Anthology of Plum Village, and a piece of folk music is known as Three Variations of Plum Blossom. And there is an art form known as Plum Drum.

22. lán 兰
That is to say, if one befriends a gentleman, one becomes a gentlemen
Orchid is admired for its charming fragrance and grace, and is often referred to as a beauty in an echoing valley. Because there are so many varieties, at least one will be in bloom at any given time of the year. One of the more poignant quotes of Confucius was “To be a friend with a true gentleman is like staying a house filled with the fragrance of orchid. After a time, one notes note the fragrance , because it is intrinsically present.”

23. Jú 菊
In late autumn, when hoar frost has already formed and the temperatures in the early morning dip below freezing, the chrysanthemum flourishes. It is regarded by Chinese people as strong, graceful, and with no egotistical desire for fame or gain.
To indicate high-minded loftiness, the poet Qu Yuan of the state of Chu once wrote:
In the morning I drink water off fallen magnolia petals, In the evening I have fallen chrysanthemum petals as substenuce.

24. mǔ dān 牡 丹
Peony is another flower prized in Chinese culture. It is enjoyed for its stately color and heavenly fragrance. Due to its grace and poise, it is a fitting symbol of splendor, wealth and happiness. Among others, it was proposed as the national flower of China.
Luo Yang ,He Nan is famose for peony

25. There is a legend that describes how peony came to be associated with the city Luo Yang.
The Empress Wu Zetian planed to visit her Upper Garden in early spring. At that time, the plants were budding but not yet in bloom, The fussy monarch issued an imperial decree in the form of a poem:
I will visit the Upper Garden tomorrow.
Spring shall be let known in time.
All flowers shall overnight bloom and grow.
And not wait for vernal wind.

26. The Empress had her wish—almost
The Empress had her wish—almost. Although the other flower did as the commanded, peony declined, due to its pride. Wu Zetian was furious and ordered peony be demoted to Luo Yang. Peony has been endowed with the quality of indifference to the powerful and influential, and the strength to stay true to its own principles.

27. Topic Today
Plants Symbolism of Zimbabwe

28. 谢谢