What Does Sending Chrysanthemums Represent
As the first among traditional famous Chinese flowers, chrysanthemums carry unique floral language codes and cultural connotations. From ancient times to the present, people convey emotions through chrysanthemums of different colors and varieties, while the underlying meaning system often confuses people. This article will delve into the cultural codes of chrysanthemums, revealing little-known taboos on giving flowers.
Decoding the Color Meanings of Chrysanthemum Language
Emotional Expression in the Color Spectrum
Spring chrysanthemums convey the hope of love divination with pale pink petals, while white chrysanthemums express sorrow and sincerity with simple elegance. Yellow chrysanthemums symbolize career success in business settings but turn into the mark of heartbreak in the hands of lovers. Red African chrysanthemums speak of mysterious passion, and winter chrysanthemums perform the melancholy of parting with their proud posture against frost.
Special Implications of Special Varieties
Gold-threaded chrysanthemums symbolize unparalleled nobility, dark chrysanthemums carry the spirit of literati, and green chrysanthemums represent the cycle of life. The Dutch chrysanthemum, introduced in recent years, breaks tradition with its colorful and modern aesthetic flower shapes.
Taboo System for Giving Chrysanthemums
Three Principles for Choosing Occasions
White chrysanthemums should not appear in wedding celebrations, yellow chrysanthemums should be given with caution to couples in love, and winter chrysanthemums are specifically used for graduation farewells. For business gifts, yellow and golden chrysanthemums are suitable, African chrysanthemums are the first choice for visiting the sick, and longevity-themed chrysanthemums are a must for the Double Ninth Festival to respect the elderly.
Mysteries of Number Combinations
A single white chrysanthemum expresses sorrow, nine yellow chrysanthemums congratulate on promotion, and an even number of winter chrysanthemums are given for farewells. Special combinations like 3 white chrysanthemums + 2 yellow chrysanthemums imply the meaning of mourning and ascending to heaven, which should be used with caution.
Chrysanthemum Cultural Heritage
Spiritual Symbol of the Gentleman Among Flowers
Since Tao Yuanming picked chrysanthemums in the eastern篱笆, chrysanthemums have become the emblem of the reclusive spirit. Song Dynasty literati ranked chrysanthemum with plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo as the Four Gentlemen, and their frost-resistant nature was endowed with the symbol of loyalty and resilience.
Living Fossil of the Double Ninth Festival Custom
The ninth lunar month is also known as Chrysanthemum Month, and customs such as wearing chrysanthemum flowers, drinking chrysanthemum wine, and eating chrysanthemum cakes have continued for thousands of years. Modern chrysanthemum exhibitions often recreate the Song-style chrysanthemum banquets recorded in "Dreams of the Eastern Capital".
Chrysanthemum culture is a microcosm of Chinese civilization, from color decoding to gift-giving etiquette, every detail is condensed with wisdom of a thousand years. Mastering the language system of flowers, avoiding taboos, and accurately conveying sentiments in modern social interactions allows this cultural flower to bloom with the brilliance of the new era.