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by:
Wong Yee Lee
Plum flowers are fragrant
and beautiful. They were once the national
flower. On the Chinese 50 cents coins you can
see plum flowers on the side.
Chrysanthemum flowers
symbolizes a strong life. It is good to give old
people chrysanthemum flowers because it means
strong life. However, only red ones would be
good because white and light yellow ones are
used only at funerals. Lovers do not give
chrysanthemum to their loved ones.
Narcissus, lotus flowers
and orchid are flowers which represent high
virtues and elegance.
Orchid blossoms in spring
and it brings an air of high class
respectfulness.
Narcissus blossoms in
winter. White flowers of five pedals and yellow
stamen grow in pure water. It represents a sense
of purity.
Lotus flowers grow in pond
water. Its roots are edible. Its flowers blossom
in summer and are either red or white. The seeds
are also edible and are often used as medicine.
Almost every part of a lotus plant is useful
though it grows in muddy pond water. That is
also why it is compared to people who manage to
achieve successfully in life though come from a
less prestige background.
Azalea flowers represents
elegance and wealth. You can find azalea on the
Chinese one cent coins.
Peach flowers blossom in
spring. It represents beautiful girls. In
Chinese tradition at Chinese New Year, people
who want to find love will usually buy a whole
plant and put it home because this will bring
them luck in finding love in the coming year.
Pomegranate gives very
beautiful flowers. Its fruit is sour but
contains a lot of seeds inside. In Chinese
tradition, people put this fruit on the bed of
the newly weds so as to help the newly weds to
make many babies.
Maple trees in China
represents old people who don't admit that they
are old because these trees blossoms in autumn
which is near the end of a year.
Lilac in China represents
modesty, which is one of the virtues that
Chinese people value
Other than the above,
there are some flowers which have medicinal
values. Plum flowers can cure heat, cough and
diarrhea; chrysanthemum can cure cold; orchid
can cure lung disease and coughs; lotus flowers
can cure sunstroke, insomnia and blood vomiting;
azalea can regulate female menstruation;
narcissus and Chinese rose can remove bruises;
laurel can remove bruises and dissolve phlegm.
What about giving
presents?
When birthdays or opening
a business, red Chinese rose or pomegranate
flowers would be good because this represents
prosperous future.
For old people, plum
flowers or tuberose would be appropriate.
For patients, orchid, you
can buy China pink bamboo.
For moving houses, you can
buy asparagus fern.
For wedding, you can buy
lily because in China it represents hundred
years of love. Lily is also good for friends
which means unity.
However there are also
plants which carry derogative meanings.
Poplar flowers can be
easily blown broken. It represents a woman who
is not faithful.
Broad-leave epiphyllum
flowers are pretty but they open just for one
night. It can be easily understood that they
represent shortness.
Duckweed floats on the
surface of water. It has no roots and floats
anywhere. Since the Chinese nation values family
and its unity, things which do not have roots
would be pitiful.
Thistles and thorns bring
people pain. They represent difficulties.
Now you know what to bring
your date next time you take her out!
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