Chapter 10 Chinese Plants and Their Cultural Conno...
Plants have countless ties with the traditional culture，national psychology and national spirits of a country．Due to different cultural backgrounds and natural environment，plant culture varies from country to county．In China，the symbolic meanings of plants have been merged into the essence of the ideology of Chinese Taoism，Buddhism and Confucianism．Therefore，the Chinese plant culture，a component of Chinese traditional culture，has its unique national features which differ from those of other nations．
1.Top Ten Flowers in China
China particularly loves its native lotus flowers，camellia，azalea，peony，chrysanthemums，etc．Perfumed and exquisite，these flowers are symbols of purity，perseverance，renewal and devotion．Being the favoured subject of poets and painters，they are frequently reproduced，along with other favoured national themes，in art and literature．
The Chinese Top Ten Famous Flowers were nominated in 1987．They are the plum blossom，peony，chrysanthemum，orchid，Chinese rose，azalea，camellia，lotus，sweet-scented osmanthus and narcissus．These flowers are not only loved for their floriated beauty but also favored for their ample and lucky meaning．
1)Plum Blossom—Flower No．1
Plum blossom(see picture 10-1)is evaluated as the No．one of the Chinese Top Ten Famous Flowers．The five petals of the plum blossoms symbolize happiness，good luck，longevity，smooth sailing and peace．
When a whirling snow obscures the sky and all other flowers wither and fall，only plum trees stand upright proudly and bloom in rich colors bringing people the news of early spring．With the characteristic of cold resistance，plum blossom stands for courage，hope and new life．
2)Peony—King of Flowers
Beautiful and graceful，peonies(see picture 10-2)have been renowned for their noble beauty ever since the Tang Dynasty．The flamboyancy of peony exceeds any flowers，so people have named it“the king of flowers”and regarded it as a symbol of happiness，prosperity and spring in China．Peony is also an omen of good fortune，an emblem of love and affection，wealth and distinction，feminine beauty，and the sign of spring．
Peony cultivation in China can date back to 1，600 years ago．Peony is regarded as the most beautiful and charming flower and has prestigious reign in the flower world of China．Chinese people have been enthralled by the beauty of the flower and it has been the favorite flower from the imperial down to the common in Chinese history．The flowers are colorful，fragrant and very elegant-and-pleasant-looking in appearance with a variety of over 500．
3)Chrysanthemum—the Hermit
Chrysanthemum(see picture 10-3)is a famous traditional flower of China．Some varieties of chrysanthemum are effective to treat some diseases，and some are edible，both delicious and nourishing．Chinese people have the convention of viewing and admiring chrysanthemum in autumn．In late autumn，there are chrysanthemum exhibitions in many places of China．Chrysanthemum is described by Zhou Dunyi，a literary man of Song Dynasty，as a hermit because it was regarded as keeping a low profile and not fighting with other flowers for attention．
Peony，lotus，chrysanthemum and plum represent the four seasons in China．Chrysanthemum is also a symbol of long life or duration since its Chinese name“ju”sounds similar to the words meaning“remain，nine，and long time”．
4)Orchid—the Gentleman
Ancient Chinese favored the fragrance of the orchid(see picture 10--4)and cherished it as the“Supreme Fragrance”and the“Sweetest Fragrance under the Sun”．
Orchid conveys the image of a flower of such fragrance and beauty that it makes its surroundings seem plain by comparison．It thus tends to be lonely，perhaps content in its solitude．The orchid thus became a symbol for the true gentleman in ancient China where it was revered for its esthetic and artistic value．Mention of this orchid in poetry might suggest the image the author would like to convey of himself，or of the subject of his poem．
Confucius was a great lover of orchid．He compared the orchid flower to the superior man and its scent to the pleasures of friendship．Confucius deemed it extremely important to nurture one's spirit．He associated the good qualities of people with orchid．One of Confucius'famous quotes is“The association with a superior person is like entering a hall of orchids．”
5)Chinese Rose—Queen of Flowers
China is the homeland of the monthly rose(see picture 10-5)with a fairly long history of its cultivation．Chinese rose was recorded in A Record of Flowers early in the Ming Dynasty as“Permanent Spring Flower”，“Every-Month Red”and“Four-Season Flower”．
The character of permanent blooming，beautiful looking and delicate fragrance of the rose bring it the reputation of“Queen of the Flowers”．It stands for spring，and magnificence．Many Chinese poems in praise of Chinese rose have been written by men of letters and well-known personages throughout ages．
6)Azalea—the Beauty of Flowers
Originated in China，azalea(see picture 10-6)is one of the Chinese traditional famous flowers．Nicknamed“Red on the mountain”and“Mountain Pomegranate”，azalea enjoys the reputation of being the crown or Xi Shi(one of the four ancient Chinese beauties)of flowers．China has a giant treasure-storage of azalea resources with the most varieties and greatest number in the world．
Azalea blooms in early spring when cuckoo cuckoos ceaselessly．So the ancient people thought the bird ululates to return home and believed that it is changed from cuckoo's blood．
7)Camellia—Treasure in Flowers
Camellia(see picture 10-7)is an evergreen and broad-leaved shrub originated in China where it is also known as“Shan Cha”．Wild camellias are found blooming in profusion in mountains and valleys of Zhejiang，Jiangxi，Sichuan，Yunnan and Guangdong Provinces and the offshore islands in the country．In Rui'an County，Zhejiang Province，grows a camellia tree of 1，200 years old．
Camellia blooms during the time between winter and spring with elegant petals and rich colors．It symbolizes serenity．
8)Lotus—Fairy of Flowers
The lotus(see picture 10-8)is also known as“Lian Hua”and“Water Lilly”．The lotus displays its elegant beauty when it blooms in summer．In 1973，fossil pollen of lotus was unearthed in Hemudu Cultural Relic，Yuyao County，Zhejiang Province，which further proves that there was lotus pollen existing 7，000 years ago．In the same year，two carbonized lotus seeds were unearthed in Yangshao Cultrual Relic，Zhengzhou，Henan Province，which shows again that there were lotus seeds existing more than 5，000 years ago．
The lotus comes out of the mire but stays pristine．It is inwardly empty yet outwardly upright．Its noble image is very much respected and admired by people．Among all the flowers，the lotus is the most represented in poems，paintings and dances．The Lotus is also the flower dedicated to Buddha．It is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism．
The lotus is of unique importance in Chinese folklore and symbolism as the symbol of peace，purity，sincerity and perfection and an emblem of summer．
Chinese people compare the conjugal love to two lotuses growing in one root，blossoming around one center，which contains profound cultural meanings．
9)Sweet-scented Osmanthus—Fragrant Smell from Far Away
Also known as“Nine-li-fragrance”(4．5 kilometers Fragrance)，the sweet-scented osmanthus(see picture 10-9)is only native to China．Its cultivation by the Chinese people dates back to 2，500 years．In Hanzhong，the“home of osmanthus”is located in the south of Shaanxi Province，where there are many ancient osmanthus trees．In the courtyard of the Shenshuisi Temple in Nanzheng County，7 kilometers away from Hanzhong in the southeast，there is an ancient Osmanthus blooming in profusion every autumn．It is said that this tree was planted by Xiao He，the Chancellor of Emperor Liu Bang of the Western Han Dynasty in 206 B．C．Thus，it is named Han Osmanthus．Ascertained by measuring，the tree is 1840±350 years old．The tree trunk is 232 centimeters in diameter and its crown covers 400 square meters．It blooms twice a year with sweet golden flowers．
10)Narcissus—Fairy Walking over Ripples
Narcissus(see picture 10-10)is deeply loved by Chinese people who give it a lot of lovely aliases，for example，“Golden Calyx and Silver Desk”，“Fairy Walking over Ripples”etc．It is also known as“Heavenly Onion”，“Elegant Garlic”．Many poems praise of the firm and unadorned character of the narcissus．The most well-known laudatory title for narcissus is from Huang Tingjian's poem(Song Dynasty):“Lingbo Goddess treading the waves，gracefully under the soft moonlight”．The alias of“fairy walking over ripples”has hence been used．In modern history，the famous woman revolutionist Qiu Jin intoned in her poem named“Narcissus”:“Delicately white as snow，exceeding the faint scent of the plum blossom．”The poem highly praises the beauty and fragrance of the flower．
Late winter and early spring witness the flowering of the years'first narcissus．Being the messenger of spring，narcissus is cherished by many people for her elegance and her full-bodied aroma．Chinese people consider narcissus a good omen on New Year's Day．Many overseas Chinese regard it as a holy flower of the native land．Hence narcissus proves to be the best choice as a gift for relatives and friends for the New Year．
2.Symbolic Meanings of Plants
Apart from the top ten flowers，quite a lot of plants have deep symbolic meaning in them over the long history of China．Due to their individual properties，certain plants can symbolize longevity，wealth and prosperity．For example，the peach is the symbol of immortality，the bamboo as the famous symbol of resilience，the pomegranate as symbol of fertility，the grapes as symbol of abundance and many more．
1)Bamboo
Always green in color and hollow inside，bamboo(see picture 10-11)is a symbol of longevity and modesty．It is often depicted with pine trees and plum blossom altogether as“three friends in severe winter”．Ancient literary men often depicted bamboo in their writings and paintings．
In traditional Chinese culture，bamboo is one of the four favorite plants along with Chinese plum，orchid and chrysanthemum，the so-called Four Men of Honor，the characters of which are highly admired by the Chinese people so they want to be just like the four plants．
2)Mandarin Orange
The pronunciation for“orange”in Chinese is similar to that of“auspicious”．Therefore，orange symbolizes good luck．Tradition has it that you must bring a basket of mandarin oranges together with a red packet when visiting family or friends anytime during the Chinese New Year celebrations．Mandarin oranges are symbols for abundant happiness and good fortune．
3)Peach
For longevity，the peach is the most symbolic of any tree or fruit in Chinese culture．Hence it has the name of“immortal peach”and“longevity peach”．According to ancient text，peach has a cultivation history of over 1，000 years in China．It was the tribute to the imperial families of past dynasties．It is believed in ancient China that its tree wood and color can keep demons at bay．
There are many stories about peach in Chinese mythology．One of them is about the peach tree of immortality planted in Yaochi by the West Queen Mother．The tree was said to blossom once every 3，000 years and the fruit of eternal life took another 3，000 years to ripen．If one ate one of those peaches，he could live 600 years longer．Therefore，the peach is also known as the“immortal fruit”which can give immortality to people，so it is the traditional benison gift in China．
Arriving in spring as they do，they symbolize life，growth and prosperity．Should the peach blossom bloom during New Year celebrations，it is a sure sign that the year ahead will be one of good fortune！
4)Chinese Parasol Tree
Wutong，the Chinese parasol tree，is a beautiful tree which figures prominently in literature．It is an emblem of strong affection between husband and wife．Ancient myth has it that“wu”is male and“tong”is female．“Wu”and“tong”grow in the same tree to live and die together．As the Chinese saying goes，“Wu and tong treat each other，mandarin ducks die together．”The euphonious Chinese name“wutong”is often left untranslated as in the poem of Wen Tingyun，the well-known poet of Tang Dynasty:“Wutong trees，third watch rain，care not for utter bitterness of separation sorrow．”
5)Pine and Cypress
Pine is often mentioned together with cypress．Both trees remain green and stand upright in spite of the severe cold in winter．Chinese people favor pine tree for its quality of cold resistance and being evergreen．This natural property of pine is regarded by Chinese people as the moral character—being firm and unyielding．Pine，the favorite tree of Chinese painters，symbolizes longevity and brawniness and epitomizes self-discipline and steadfastness．
6)Pomegranate
The pomegranate，being full of seeds，is an auspicious emblem of fecundity and family prosperity and，therefore，is well loved by Chinese people．Its red color represents joy and happiness，so in some places there is the custom of eating pomgranate at weddings to bless the bride and groom and to wish them a bright future．Because its many seeds represent numerous progeny to the Chinese，pomegranate is widely represented in art works symbolizing fertility，abundance，prosperity，numerous and virtuous offspring and a blessed future．
7)Peanut
The peanut，also named groundnut，represents the birth of prosperity and signifies continuous growth and multiplication in wealth and good fortune．One would also notice the presence of peanuts during the festive Chinese New Year season among Chinese families to generate luck associated to health and longevity．
The groundnut is unique because it grows with its roots expanding in a wide area in the form of nodules．This symbolizes stability and prosperity．Peanuts are a must at traditional wedding for blessing the newly weds with fertility so that they would have lots of children，both boys and girls．
Word Bank
floriated花形的
ample足够的，丰裕的
obscure使隐晦，掩盖
flamboyancy艳丽
enthrall迷住，吸引住
pomegranate石榴
ululate哀鸣，悲泣
pristine纯洁的，未受玷污的
conjugal婚姻的，夫妇之间的
alias别名
calyx花萼，杯状结构
unadorned朴素的，不加渲染的
laudatory表示赞美的，颂扬性的
intone吟咏
resilience韧劲，适应力
benison祝福
euphonious好听的，悦耳的
brawniness强壮
epitomize概括，集中体现了
fecundity多产，富饶，生育力
progeny子孙，后裔
nodule节，块
参考译文
大自然中的花草树木与一个国家的传统文化、民族心理和民族精神有着千丝万缕的联系。由于文化背景和自然条件的不同，各民族的植物文化不尽相同。在中国，各种植物所具有的象征意义融入了道教信仰、佛教精神和儒家思想的精髓。因此，中国植物文化，作为中国传统文化的一部分，具有不同于其他国家的特点。
1.中国十大名花
中国人特别喜爱荷花、茶花、杜鹃、牡丹、菊花等本土花木，它们象征了纯洁、坚韧、新生和奉献，是诗人和画家喜爱表现的主题，因此在文艺作品中时常可以见到它们。
1987年评选出的中国十大名花，分别为梅花、牡丹、菊花、兰花、月季、杜鹃、茶花、荷花、桂花和水仙。上述十大名花，不仅因为它们的色彩和姿态能在众花中取胜，而且由于它们丰富的内涵以及吉祥的寓意，使人们倍加钟爱。
1)梅花——花魁
梅花(见图10-1)是中国十大名花之首，其花五瓣，是五福的象征:一是快乐，二是幸运，三是长寿，四是顺利，五是和平。
在万木萧瑟、风雪飘零的严冬中，梅花展现着一花独放的孤傲，给人们透露早春的信息。梅花以其不畏严寒的坚贞不屈的品性，代表了勇气、希望和新生。
2)牡丹——花中之王
“国色天香”的牡丹(见图10-2)，自唐朝以来，一直被视为荣华富贵的象征，同时获得“花中之王”的美誉。牡丹也代表了好运、爱情、财富、美貌和春天。
牡丹在中国的栽培历史可以追溯到1 600年前，其花大色艳，独傲群芳，上至帝王将相，下至平民百姓，无不喜爱，广泛栽培。牡丹花容端妍，花色绚丽，品种多达500余个。
3)菊花——花中隐士
菊花(见图10-3)是中国传统名花之一。菊花中有些种类具有药用价值，有些种类可以食用，而且味道鲜美，营养丰富。中国人有赏菊的传统。每到秋菊绽放之时，许多地方都会布置菊展，供人们观赏。宋代诗人周敦颐称:“菊，花之隐逸者。”其不与众花争俏的隐逸风骨受世人赞赏。
牡丹、荷花、菊花和梅花则是四季的代表。菊花还是长寿的象征，因为“菊”字的发音近似于“九”或“久”。
4)兰花——花中君子
兰花(见图10-4)香气清幽，有“香祖”之誉，古人尊其香为“天下第一香”。
兰花的芬芳与美丽，使之所置身的环境相形逊色。因此，它是孤独的，然其不为无人而不芳。在中国古代，兰花的审美价值和艺术价值使之成为真正君子的象征。诗人在诗中提及兰花时，往往意在表露自己美好的理想和高尚的情操。
孔子十分喜欢兰花，他用兰花比喻高尚的人，并以兰的馨香喻交友的愉悦。孔子特别重视个人思想品质的修养，在兰花身上寄托了深切的感情，曰:“与善人居，如入芝兰之室。”
5)月季——花中皇后
中国是月季(见图10-5)的故乡，月季花在中国已有相当长的历史，早在明朝的《群芳谱》中就有以“长春花”、“月月红”和“四季花”为名的记载。
月季花四季盛开，色彩绚丽、香味浓郁，被誉为“花中皇后”，代表了春天和美丽。在历代文人的诗篇中，有多首咏月季诗篇。
6)杜鹃花——花中西施
源于中国的杜鹃花(见图10-6)，是中国传统名花之一。有“皇冠”和“花中西施”之称，别名“映山红”和“山石榴”。中国杜鹃花科植物种类丰富多样，数量居世界之首，是宝贵的植物财富。
杜鹃花开早春。杜鹃鸟啼鸣之时，正是杜鹃花如火如荼之际。因此，古人相信杜鹃鸟口中血滴成枝上花。古人认为，杜鹃啼鸣不已，是在呼唤游子归来。
7)茶花——花中珍品
源于中国的茶花(见图10-7)亦称“山茶”，是一种四季常青的阔叶灌木。中国野生山茶古树集中地分布在浙江、江西、四川、云南、广东等省以及沿海岛屿等地。浙江省瑞安县生长着一株树龄为1 200年的山茶。
茶花绽放于冬春，花瓣优雅、花色鲜艳，象征宁静安详。茶花又名曼荼罗花，是佛教中的吉祥花。
8)荷花——花中仙子
荷花(见图10-8)又称莲花或水芙蓉。盛夏花开之际，众美纷呈。1973年，浙江余姚河姆渡文化遗址出土了荷花花粉化石，距今7 000年。同年，河南郑州仰韶文化遗址发掘出两粒炭化莲子，距今5 000年。
荷花出淤泥而不染，中空且直。因其高贵圣洁的形象，自古以来深受人们的青睐，是人们诗歌、绘画和舞蹈等艺术创作中最常涉及的花卉。荷花还有着佛教因缘，是佛教八宝祥之一。
在中国民间传说和象征中，荷花寓意和平、纯洁、真诚和完美，同时也是夏日的象征。
人们常用荷花中的并蒂莲来比喻夫妻间的婚姻和爱情，蕴含着极其丰富的文化内涵。
9)桂花——九里飘香
桂花(见图10-9)俗称“九里香”，是中国特有的植物，种植史可追溯到2 500年前。位于陕西省西南部的“桂花之乡”汉中，有许多参天古桂。汉中市城东南7千米的南郑县圣水寺庙内，有一棵最古老的桂花树，花开繁茂。相传这棵桂花树为西汉初年汉高祖刘邦的大臣萧何于公元前206年亲手栽植，故称“汉桂”。经科学测定，树龄在1840±350年。这棵汉桂，树干直径232厘米，树冠覆盖面积400平方米，花色金黄，每年开花两次。
10)水仙——凌波仙子
水仙(见图10-10)花深受中国人喜爱，人们给了它许多别称与雅号，如“金杯银盏”和“凌波仙子”，还有“天葱”“雅蒜”。
许多诗人写过咏水仙诗，盛赞水仙朴素无华的品行。最有名的是宋朝黄庭坚的诗句:“凌波仙子生尘袜，水上轻盈步微月。”自黄诗一出，“凌波仙子”这一水仙雅号美称，便一直流传至今。近代女革命家秋瑾赋诗《水仙》，诗中咏道:“嫩白应欺雪，清香不让梅。”诗句高度赞颂水仙的美丽与馨香。
水仙花开冬末春初，是春的使者。人们珍爱水仙花，爱它优雅告诫，芳香袭人。中国人认为水仙花若新年开放，来年必有好运。许多海外华侨视水仙花为家乡的圣花。水仙花是新年赠送亲友的最佳礼品。
2.植物的文化意象
除了十大名花，自古以来，中国人在许多花木上赋予了深刻的精神意义。根据植物自身的特点，可以象征长寿、财富和繁荣等。比如，桃象征长生，竹象征韧性，石榴象征多子，葡萄象征充裕等。
1)竹
绿意葱茏、茎秆空心的竹子(见图10-11)象征着长寿和谦虚。竹子与松树、梅花合称为“岁寒三友”，古代的文人墨客常以咏竹、画竹为趣。
在中国的传统文化中，竹与梅、兰、菊并称为“四君子”。许多中国人都以“四君子”所代表的高尚品质激励自己洁身自好。
2)橘
橘谐音“吉”，所以象征吉利。春节上门拜年时除了送红包还要带上一篮橘子，这是传统习俗。橘寓意大吉大利。
3)桃
在中国文化中，桃最能代表长寿，因而有“仙桃”、“寿桃”之美称。据古籍载，桃已有千年栽培历史，为历代皇室贡品。桃木常被古代中国人视为为避邪之物。
中国关于桃的传说很多，其中一则源自神话中西王母瑶池所植的蟠桃:“天上有蟠桃园，三千年一开花，三千年一结果。食一枚园中仙桃可增寿600岁。”故桃被喻为长寿象征，给老人祝寿便用寿桃。
桃花春天绽放，象征着生命、生长和繁荣。如果桃花新年即开，预示着来年吉祥如意。
4)梧桐
梧桐树在中国的文学作品中时常见到。传说中，梧为雄，桐为雌，梧桐同长同老、同生同死。于是，梧桐便成为伉俪深情的象征。我国有“梧桐相待老，鸳鸯合双死”之说，因此，诗文中常以梧桐表示男女之间至死不渝的爱情，如唐朝诗人温庭筠的诗句:“梧桐树，三更雨，不道离情正苦。”
5)松柏
松常与柏并称，且都四季常青，历严冬而不衰。中国人将其耐寒而又常青的自然特性理解为一种抗击环境变化而保持自身不变的社会品格，有坚强不屈的精神。因此，古人把松柏看作长生、坚强、自律和坚定的象征，它也成了画家笔下经常出现的主题。
6)石榴
石榴深受中国人喜爱，因为它丰硕多子，是象征多子多孙、家庭兴旺的吉祥之物。石榴花花红似火，表示热情和欢乐的喜庆，因此有些地方有在婚礼上吃石榴以示对新郎新娘的祝福的习俗。石榴还因多子多福的寓意，常被绘入吉祥图案，称作“榴开百子”。
7)花生
花生俗称“落花生”，它代表财富兴旺、好运不断。过年时每家每户都要准备花生，意喻来年有好运、健康和长寿。
花生的特点还在于其根绵绵不断，果实累累，象征稳定与多产。花生是中国传统婚礼上用来祝愿新人的必备之物，祝愿姑娘出嫁后能“花着生”，既生男也生女。
Exercises
Section A Thought-provoking questions
1．What is the role that bamboo plays in our life？
2．What is most likely to be the national flower of China？Why？
3．What do you know about the“lotus effect”？
Section B Translate the following expressions with names of plants
1．灿若桃花
2．胸有成竹
3．桃红柳绿
4．桃腮杏眼
5．莲步轻移
6．桃李满天下
7．桃李不言，下自成蹊。
8．出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖。
※The orchid originates in the deep valleys，but its obscurity does not discourage it from exuding its fragrance.A gentleman cultivating himself is not to change his moral because of poverty.
From Analects of Confucius
(芝兰生于深谷，不以无人而不芳;君子修道立德，不为困穷而改节。)
——《论语》
※A gentleman does not recommend people based on what they say;or disregard what is said based on the speaker.
From Analects of Confucius
(君子不以言举人，不以人废言。)
——《论语》