Delicate clusters of pink flowers adorn the branches. [Photo/Unsplash]

During the blossoming season, you can see a touch of spring everywhere. Peach and cherry trees, magnolias, and other beautiful flora have begun to bloom.

Here is a guide for everything to know about flowers in China.

Importance of flowers in Chinese culture

For centuries, 花 (huā) flowers have been important in Chinese culture. They have appeared in many poems, paintings, and cuisines, and also took part in traditional ceremonies and festivals.

01. Flowers of the Four Seasons

The "Flowers of the Four Seasons" is a Chinese concept that shows how different flowers represent each season. The concept reflects the appreciation for the beauty of nature and the cyclical rhythms of life.

四季名花

Sì jì Míng huā

Flowers of the Four Seasons

(four-season-famous-flower)

The flowers that represent each of the four seasons consist of:

Spring: 春兰 (chūn lán), orchid

Summer: 夏荷 (xià hé), lotus

Autumn: 秋菊 (qiū jú), chrysanthemum

Winter: 冬梅 (dōng méi), plum blossom

02. Symbolism of flowers

Flowers hold deep symbolic meanings in Chinese culture, often representing virtues, emotions, and natural elements. Here are some of the most popular flowers in China and their cultural symbolism:

Peony (牡丹, mǔ dān): prosperity, wealth, and honor.

It's often called the "king of flowers" and was used to decorate emperors' palaces.

Chrysanthemum (菊花, jú huā): longevity and nobility.

It's often associated with autumn and featured on pottery, artwork, and clothing. Chrysanthemum tea is also a great medicine for curing internal heat and fever.

Lotus (莲花, lián huā): purity and perfection.

Lotus grows in muddy water but remains unstained, thus symbolizing the ability to rise above hardships.

Orchid (兰花, lán huā): beauty, elegance, and refinement.

Orchids are known for their beauty and elegance in Chinese culture; they are used to describe something of great beauty.

Plum Blossom (梅花, méihuā): resilience and hope.

Plums bloom in the harsh winter, symbolizing the ability to overcome adversity.

Giving flowers: Do's and don'ts

If you decide to give flowers to a friend or colleague, be aware of the cultural significance of different flowers, especially on special occasions.

Never give chrysanthemums

In China, girls are happy to receive flowers yet there is one flower that Chinese people would never give to someone as a present – a chrysanthemum. In Chinese culture, chrysanthemums are used to commemorate deceased family members, especially on Tomb Sweeping Day.

Give flowers on love festivals

In Chinese culture, there are several "love festivals" where giving flowers is a common and cherished practice. During the festivals, you can deliver flowers to someone to express your feelings:

七夕节 (qī xī jié), Chinese Valentine's Day;

情人节 (qínɡ rén Jié), Valentine's Day;

网络情人节 (wǎng luò qínɡ rén jié), China's unofficial Valentine's Day on May 20

Recommended flowers

Roses, particularly red ones, are favored for their association with love and romance. Also, flowers like lilies and tulips are a good choice for expressing love and admiration.

Avoid white flowers

In Chinese culture, color symbolism is very significant. White is the color of mourning in China, so it's best to avoid giving white flowers, especially if you're going to give flowers to someone on their birthday.

Choose the right color

Since colors are important in Chinese culture, here are ideas on choosing flower bouquet colors:

红色 (hóng sè), red

Red symbolizes luck, happiness, and prosperity. Red flowers, such as roses, are a great choice for celebrating joyous occasions like weddings or promotions.

粉红色 (fěn hóng sè), pink

Pink represents romance, affection, and friendship. Pink flowers, like carnations or tulips, are suitable for expressing love and gratitude.

黄色 (huáng sè), yellow

Yellow symbolizes warmth, joy, and positivity. Yellow flowers, such as sunflowers or daisies, are ideal for cheering up a friend or brightening someone's day.

Consider Chinese numerology

In Chinese culture, certain numbers are believed to be auspicious (吉利 jí lì) or inauspicious (不吉利 bù jí lì) based on their pronunciation.

Even numbers are generally considered lucky, so it's common to give flowers in pairs or even numbers.

Note

The numbers two, three, six, and eight are typically considered lucky, while four is considered unlucky.

Floral vocabulary

Here is some floral vocabulary related to buying flowers and discussing them with your Chinese friends.

01. Bouquet and flowers

The word "花" (huā) is used to give a general description flowers. If you're looking for fresh flowers to create a bouquet, you can say:

鲜花

xiān huā

fresh flowers

02. Measure words

When discussing flowers or bouquets, you can use measure words such as:

束 (shù), measure word for a bunch or bouquet

朵 (duǒ), measure word for individual flowers

Here are some sentences using measure words for flowers:

我买了一束玫瑰花送给我的妈妈。

Wǒ mǎi le yī shù méi gui huā sòng gěi wǒ de mā ma.

I bought a bunch of roses to give to my mom.

我们在花市买了三朵百合花。

Wǒ men zài huā shì mǎi le sān duǒ bǎi hé huā.

We bought three lilies at the flower market.

03. Flower shop or market

What to search for on map apps if you want to find a floral shop or market to buy fresh flowers:

花店

huā diàn

flower shop

花市

huā shì

flower market