Every year, on the Qingming Festival, it is time to pay respects to ancestors. On this special day, offering a bouquet of flowers is one way to express respect and remembrance for the deceased. But what kind of flowers are appropriate? Let's explore this together.
1. White Chrysanthemums — Expressing Remembrance
White chrysanthemums symbolize purity and freshness, making them the best choice for expressing remembrance.
2. Lilies — Conveying Love and Blessings for the Deceased
In Chinese culture, lilies are considered auspicious. They symbolize purity, nobility, and eternal love. Therefore, giving lilies can convey love for the deceased and also serve as a blessing for them.
3. Carnations — Expressing Gratitude
Carnations are regarded as the flower of gratitude, conveying emotions of respect, thankfulness, and appreciation. When paying respects to ancestors, giving carnations can express gratitude for the deceased.
4. Violets — Expressing Respect and Longing
Violets are one of the flowers for expressing respect and longing, as their flower language is "I love you, do you know?". Therefore, when paying respects to ancestors, giving violets can not only express longing for the deceased but also show respect for them.
5. White Roses — Expressing Respect for the Deceased
White roses symbolize purity, nobility, and respect. Therefore, when paying respects to ancestors, giving white roses can express respect for the deceased.
6. Sunflowers — Wishing the Deceased Peaceful Rest
Sunflowers symbolize sunshine, loyalty, and passion. In Japanese, the pronunciation of sunflower is similar to "anshin," which means peace of mind. Therefore, when paying respects to ancestors, giving sunflowers is the best way to express a wish for the deceased to rest in peace.
7. Chrysanthemums — Expressing Grief and Sadness
Chrysanthemums are considered the flower of grief and sadness, as their flower language is "farewell." Therefore, when paying respects to ancestors, giving chrysanthemums can express sorrow for the deceased.
8. Lotus Flowers — Expressing Prayers for the Deceased
Lotus flowers are the flower of prayers for the deceased, symbolizing cleanliness and purity. Therefore, when paying respects to ancestors, giving lotus flowers can express prayers for the deceased.
9. Paper-cut Flowers — Symbolizing Eternity
Paper-cut flowers are an art form in traditional Chinese culture, with various shapes and brilliant colors, regarded as an eternal object. When paying respects to ancestors, giving paper-cut flowers can express eternal remembrance for the deceased.
10. Jasmine Flowers — Expressing Gratitude and Respect
Jasmine flowers are regarded as flowers of gratitude and respect because they bloom at night and were seen as a symbol of resistance in ancient Chinese culture. When paying respects to ancestors, giving jasmine flowers can express gratitude and respect for the deceased.
11. Irises — Symbolizing Faith
Irises are considered the flower of faith because they can convey messages of belief and courage. When paying respects to ancestors, giving irises can express faith and courage for the deceased.
12. Purple Tulips — Expressing Respect and Remembrance
Purple tulips are flowers of respect and remembrance, as their flower language is "I will never forget you." Therefore, when paying respects to ancestors, giving purple tulips can express respect and remembrance for the deceased.
13. Daisies — Expressing Purity and Beauty
Daisies symbolize purity and beauty, conveying emotions of friendship, joy, and hope. When paying respects to ancestors, giving daisies can express purity and beauty for the deceased.
14. Love of the Earth — Expressing Love for Nature
"Love of the Earth" is a traditional Chinese floral art that symbolizes love and gratitude for nature. When paying respects to ancestors, giving "Love of the Earth" can express respect for the deceased as well as love and gratitude for nature.
15. What factors should be considered when choosing flowers?
Choosing the right flowers requires considering various factors such as age, gender, preferences, and religious beliefs. At the same time, pay attention to the color and the meaning of the flower language to avoid conveying the wrong emotions.
When paying respects to ancestors, giving an appropriate bouquet of flowers can not only express respect and remembrance for the deceased but also convey blessings and prayers for them. Choosing the right flowers requires considering multiple factors to convey the correct emotions and meanings.