Peony or Plum Blossom? A Close Race for the Title of China’s National Flower
Both the peony and the plum blossom are beloved flowers in China. They hold strong symbolic meanings in traditional Chinese imagery and have been favorite subjects in Chinese art for many centuries. For the Chinese, the plum blossom is a flower of great character; it blooms early in the spring, often at times when snow and ice are yet to melt away; its branches, slender but straight, similarly stand for candidness and a daring spirit.
The peony, on the other hand, is considered a symbol of good fortune and happiness. The flower, large in size, rich in colors, of a nice round shape, is an ideal image for harmony and prosperity. Understandably the peony has long been known as “queen of all flowers” in China.
In the modern times, when the Chinese try to choose a national flower, the peony and plum blossom are clear forerunners in the race. The race between the two, however, is to too close to call. There seems to be a difference in the taste and preference of elite intellectuals on the one hand and those of the general populace on the other: while the former cherishes the character of the plum blossom, the latter cannot imagine a fine, auspicious flower such as the peony being spurned for anything else.
So, nowadays some Chinese are proposing that both the peony and the plum blossom be recognized as China’s national flowers. Why not? Double the joy!
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