Classical Flower Names and Elegant Titles
Roaming through the realms of poetry and classics, one often encounters the elegant titles of flowers and plants. These thousand-year-old elegant titles of plants carry the aesthetic tastes and spiritual aspirations of Chinese civilization. From imperial gardens to the desks of scholars, the elegant titles of flowers not only record the natural characteristics of plants but also reflect the cultural styles of different eras.
Peony's Elegant Title: The Cultural Imprint of National Color and Fragrance
A Symbol System of Wealth and Auspiciousness
The peony is known by aliases such as 'Hundred taels of Gold' and 'Deer's Leek' to display its rare attributes. After the Tang Dynasty court cultivated multiple-petaled varieties, the reputation of 'King of Flowers' spread throughout the land. Ouyang Xiu's 'Luoyang Peony Chronicles' meticulously recorded 24 precious varieties, and titles like 'Yao Huang' and 'Wei Zi' are still in use today.
Artistic Images in Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting
Zhou Dunyi called the peony 'The Wealthy One among Flowers' in his 'Ode to the Lotus'. Xu Wei often titled his freehand brushwork paintings of peonies with 'Not in Search of Likeness but for the Rhythm of Life', elevating the plant characteristics to cultural symbols.
Rose's Elegant Title: The Temporal Aesthetics of四季 Blossoms
The Beauty of Time Sequence that is Always New
Titles like 'Eternal Spring Flower' and 'Monthly Red' highlight its long blooming season. The 'Flower Manual' records that there was already a cultivation technique for eight seasons a year in the Ming Dynasty. The 'Eighteen Mandala Flower Pavilion' in Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden skillfully uses roses to create a four-season landscape.
Orchid and Cassia's Elegant Title: The Plant Projection of a Gentleman's Character
The Spiritual Symbol of the Fragrant Orchid
The Olfactory Memory of Heavenly Fragrance Beyond the Clouds
Cassia is known by the alias 'Osmanthus' in 'The Compendium of Materia Medica', and the saying 'Ten Miles of Fragrance' is detailed in 'Theidle Talk of a Guest'. The habit of using cassia in tea is still preserved in the area of Lin'an Manjue Pavilion.
Land and Water Dual Excellence: The Philosophical Implications of Lotus and Chrysanthemum's Elegant Titles
The Clean Image of the Lotus Emerging from Water
The Reclusive Feelings of Picking Chrysanthemums in the Eastern篱笆
Titles like 'Guest of Longevity' and 'Sunlight' reflect the association with health and astronomy. The 'Dream of the Eastern Capital' records the custom of wearing chrysanthemums on Double Ninth Festival, and the technique of making 'Chrysanthemum Pillows' is described in detail in 'The Record of a Clear Mind'.
Classical flower names and elegant titles are like the keys to opening the treasure trove of traditional culture. Each exquisite title condenses the wisdom of observation and philosophical thinking of our ancestors. These plant name cards that transcend time and space continue to shine with eternal charm in garden landscaping, arts and crafts, and festival customs.