Flowers are not just ornamental plants in Chinese culture because they have a deep history and meanings that determine how they are perceived and used. While some are used for decorations, others are presented during sombre moods. Therefore, knowing the flowers and their meanings is essential before sending Chinese flowers to anyone.
Chinese flowers are among the most attractive and can be grown almost anywhere. They come in different sizes and colours that suit different preferences, and some have a pleasant fragrance. However, you must not mistake them to mean the same thing. Each flower has a unique meaning and a particular use.
In China, flowers hold a significant place in both cultural celebrations and everyday life. They are often symbols of emotions, virtues, and even social status. For example, certain flowers are associated with good luck, love, or prosperity, making them popular choices for gifts during various occasions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Most popular Chinese flowers
- What is a traditional Chinese flower?
- What is the most popular Chinese flower?
- What Chinese flower means love?
- What flower is a symbol of good luck in Chinese?
Most popular Chinese flowers
How many Chinese flower types do you know? Here is a compilation of the most prominent Chinese flowers and their meanings in popular culture.
1. Jasmine
Jasmine is among the 200 species of fragrant flowers in the olive family. It is mainly grown for its fragrant flowers, which are used to make perfumes and a wide range of scented products. This Chinese flower, which comes in white and pink, is usually presented to lovers as a symbol of devotion. It symbolises beauty, elegance, sensuality, and enduring love.
2. Lily
This Chinese herbaceous plant blossoms with large, trumpet-like petals. It has numerous species with varying colours, including white, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and red. These ornamental plants are common in many weddings because they represent union, fertility, purity, renewal, and transience. In other places, lilies represent longevity and devotion.
3. Lotus
This flower is an aquatic perennial plant that blooms above the water, unlike lilies on the water. It usually has pink and white colours and is recognised for its large and beautiful petals. This Chinese flower is associated with resilience and longevity. However, in cultures such as Buddhism, it represents enlightenment, purity, and renewal.
4. Canna
Canna is sometimes called Canna lily due to its close resemblance to lily flowers. However, canna is not an aquatic plant. It is known for its rhizomatous rootstock and attractive petals, which come in red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. In China, these bright-petalled flowers are a symbol of confidence and liveliness.
5. Pomegranate
Pomegranate flowers emerge from the pomegranate tree before the pomegranate fruits are formed. These Chinese flowers have waxy petals that can be red or orange. They represent fertility, abundance, prosperity, and success. In Greece, they also represent eternal life.
6. Rose
Roses are one of the oldest Chinese flowers, dating back over 5,000 years. This woody plant has numerous wild and cultivated varieties in vibrant colours, including red, yellow, pink, white, purple, and orange. In most places, it is considered the flower that represents romance. In China, it stands for longevity and eternal spring.
7. China aster
China aster is another of the oldest Chinese flowers, and its cultivation dates back centuries. This ornamental plant has blooms of different hues, such as blue, purple, yellow, red, white, and pink. Generally, aster flowers represent patience, accomplishment, good fortune, and brilliance. However, China aster means devotion and loyalty.
8. Dandelion
Most people consider this Chinese flower a stubborn weed, but it holds great symbolism in Chinese culture. It has a bright yellow flower head with several individual florets. Due to its stubbornness, it is seen as a symbol of resilience. For others, dandelion represents tenacity, perseverance, and spreading happiness.
9. Gladiolus
These Chinese flowers, with tall stalks and colourful blooms, are highly valued during the Chinese New Year celebrations. They represent integrity, strength, self-growth, and career success. They are usually presented to people who have made significant achievements in their profession. They come in various colours, including red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, white, and green.
10. Hibiscus
Numerous species of this large, showy flower exist in different parts of the world. However, it is highly valued in China and regarded as a symbol of fame, riches, splendour, and delicacy. Each year, China holds the annual Hibiscus Festival. In Hawaii, hibiscus symbolises femininity, while in India, it is a sacred plant.
11. Cherry blossom
Cherry blossoms are popular flowering trees in China and other Asian countries. Different species have varying flower colours. In China, they represent feminine beauty, power, and mystique. However, the flowers symbolise spring in Japan, and the flower-viewing tradition is called hanami.
12. Plum blossom
Plum blossoms are another common flower variety in China, with numerous species. They come in white, pink, and red and usually bloom in late winter or early spring. Plum blossoms are considered the Chinese national flower and symbolise resilience, perseverance, new beginnings, and hope. They also have a delicate and sweet scent.
13. Chrysanthemum
These decorative flowers are considered members of The Four Gentlemen, along with plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo. Depending on the species, they have different shapes, colours, and sizes. These Chinese flowers for funerals represent longevity, resilience, and respect, while in Japan, they are national flowers symbolising resilience, happiness, and perfection.
14. Daffodils
Daffodils are ornamental plants with attractive, trumpet-like blooms. They reportedly exist in multiple colours in over 13,000 varieties, but the common ones are trumpet daffodils, double daffodils, tazetta
