The Flower Language and Legend of Cycad

The Flower Language of Cycads

The flower language of Cycas includes steadfastness, perseverance, longevity, wealth, good luck, etc.

The legend of cycads

One of the legends of Cycad

A long time ago, it is said that a wealthy family in the south caught a beautiful and elegant golden phoenix. They locked the golden phoenix in a cage and fed it the finest food, trying every way to get it to spread its feathers so they could admire it. But the golden phoenix never spread its feathers, nor did it sing or dance. It always resisted and could not be tamed. The official finally lost his patience and became extremely angry, so he burned the golden phoenix to death. Amazingly, a small tree grew out of the ashes left behind after the fire.

Later, in order to praise the golden phoenix's strong character of not succumbing to tyranny, and because the tree's trunk is as hard as iron, people called it the "Iron Tree". Because the leaves of the iron tree are similar to the tail of a golden phoenix, it is also known as "Phoenix Tail Banana".

The Legend of Cycad 2

Su Dongpo was an upright person and an honest official, but he was slandered by treacherous officials in the court and was exiled to Hainan Island. When Su Dongpo was demoted to Hainan Island, the treacherous minister said happily: "If you want to come back from Hainan Island, you have to hope for the best." Due to his fame and talent, Su Dongpo was respected and welcomed by the locals as soon as he arrived in Hainan. One day, an old man asked two young men to carry a potted plant and gave it to him. Su Dongpo asked what kind of tree it was. The old man told him the legend of the golden phoenix. Only then did Su Dongpo understand the old man's intention. He thought, am I not just like this tree? If you are upright and do things properly, why should you be afraid of treacherous officials? From then on, Su Dongpo was in high spirits and took good care of the iron tree, often fertilizing and watering it. Finally one day, the iron tree miraculously bloomed. The flowers were not as gorgeous as usual, but so heroic, solemn and unique. Soon, the emperor sent an order for him to return to Beijing.