Why is peony known as the national flower? What are the reasons for peony being called the national flower?

Why is peony called the national flower?For those concerned netizens who want to know why peony is called the national flower, here are some experiences in the aspect of green plant maintenance. Let's learn about it together below.The peony, known as the "king of flowers," has a long history and profound cultural heritage in China. It is not only a traditional famous flower in China but also enjoys a high reputation worldwide. The reasons why peony is called the national flower are numerous and mainly reflected in the following aspects:1. Long history: The cultivation history of peony in China can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty around 1100 BC. According to "The Book of Songs," peony was already planted as an ornamental plant at that time. With the passage of time, the cultivation techniques of peony have continued to improve, and the varieties have also increased. By the Tang Dynasty, peony had become a major flower in royal gardens, known as "national color and fragrance." After the Song Dynasty, the cultivation of peony became more popular and widely loved by the people.2. Wide variety: Peony comes in many varieties with rich colors and diverse shapes. There are over 1,000 known peony varieties worldwide, with more than 800 in China. Peony colors include red, pink, white, yellow, purple, green, and more, with shapes such as single-petal, double-petal, and semi-double-petal. This diversity in varieties and colors makes peony unique among flowers and a beloved subject.3. Auspicious meaning: In Chinese traditional culture, peony symbolizes wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, and happiness. Ancient emperors and nobles liked to plant peony in their gardens to show the prosperity of the country. Folklore also has the saying "When peony blooms, wealth comes," believing that peony can bring good luck and fortune. In addition, peony also symbolizes love and marriage and is often used for wedding decorations. These auspicious meanings give peony a special status in Chinese culture.4. Artistic value: With its beautiful colors and graceful shape, peony has become the subject of praise and depiction for literary and artistic figures throughout the ages. Many famous poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, and others have written poems praising peony. In painting, peony is also a favorite subject for artists, such as Zhao Mengfu in the Song Dynasty and Zhao Yong in the Yuan Dynasty, who have created masterpieces with peony as the theme. These literary and art works not only showcase the beauty of peony but also reflect people's love and reverence for it.5. Medicinal value: In addition to its ornamental value, peony also has certain medicinal properties. The root bark of peony (known as Danpi) has the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, and activating blood circulation, often used to treat symptoms such as high fever, bleeding, and blood stasis. Moreover, peony flowers can also be used as medicine, with the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling blood, and stopping bleeding. These medicinal values make peony an important part of traditional Chinese medicine.6. Economic value: With the development of the flower industry, the cultivation and sale of peony have become an important economic activity. Many regions such as Heze in Shandong and Luoyang in Henan have made peony cultivation a characteristic industry, boosting local economic development. The cultivation, processing, and sales of peony provide employment opportunities for local farmers and increase their income. In addition, the ornamental value of peony has attracted a large number of tourists, promoting the development of the tourism industry.7. Cultural exchange: As the national flower of China, peony is also an important carrier of China's foreign cultural exchanges. Many countries such as Japan have introduced peony varieties from China for cultivation and research. These international exchanges not only promote the spread and improvement of peony varieties but also deepen the understanding and recognition of Chinese culture among people from different countries. Peony has become a cultural bond connecting China and the world.8. Protection and inheritance: In order to protect and inherit the precious cultural heritage of peony, China and folk organizations have taken a series of measures. Many regions have established peony planting bases and research institutions to conduct variety improvement and cultivation technology research. At the same time, various places hold peony flower festivals and cultural events to attract tourists and the public to participate and promote peony culture. These protection and inheritance efforts have allowed the national flower to continue to shine.In summary, the reasons why peony is called the national flower are its long history, rich varieties, auspicious meanings, excellent artistic value, unique medicinal value, important economic value, extensive cultural exchanges, and effective protection and inheritance. These factors together constitute the unique status of peony as the national flower, making it a treasure among flowers in China and the world. As people's understanding and love for peony deepen, this national flower will continue to display its unique charm and contribute to the development of human civilization. The detailed explanation of why peony is called the national flower shared above hopes to provide you with some help in green plant management!