The language and symbolic meaning of plum blossoms

Flower Language

Strong, elegant and loyal.

Symbolism

A symbol of good fortune and happiness

In our country, plum blossoms are regarded as a symbol of heralding spring, good luck and peace. The ancients believed that plum blossom has four virtues: the buds are called "yuan", the blossoms are called "heng", the fruits are called "li" and the maturity is called "zhen". Later generations believed that the five petals of plum blossoms symbolize the five blessings, namely happiness, joy, longevity, success and peace.

A symbol of nobleness, aloofness, and perseverance

The plum blossom is the spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation, symbolizing the spiritual qualities of perseverance, courage, and self-improvement. As one of the three friends of winter, people have admired it since ancient times. Writers of all dynasties have left behind moving works to praise the spiritual character of the plum blossom, its noble character and steadfast integrity of "I know it is not snow from afar, because of the faint fragrance", and its noble beauty that does not compete with other flowers in spring. Therefore, the plum blossom is also a symbol of people with strong character and noble integrity.

Symbol of beauty

The growth characteristics of the plum blossom also give it the nicknames "Frost Beauty" and "Cold Beauty". There is a poem that goes, "My home is at the bend of a cold stream, plum blossoms bloom in the warm spring, I learn to put on makeup like a little girl, with red lips and a smile on my face." The plum blossoms are often used to describe pretty girls.

Friendship symbol

Poets throughout the ages have also used plum blossoms as a symbol of friendship. Lu Kai wrote in "Jingzhou Ji" that "I met a postman when I was picking plum blossoms, and sent them to a man in Longtou. I have nothing in the south of the Yangtze River, so I just gave him a branch of spring." He sent a plum blossom from Jiangnan to Fan Ye who was far away, and the plum blossom represented the deep friendship between the two. The great poet Su Shi also had a line in his poem that goes "Hand in hand in the village by the river, with plum blossoms fluttering in the wind. Love is boundless and heart-wrenching everywhere."

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