張貼日期:Jun 14, 2014 4:1:1 PM
Budded Peonies
A Peony is an important ornamental plant
native to western China Qinling and Daba Mountains.
It’s been prized as the most important flower in China,
which is equivalent to the European Flower Queen - rose.
As early as the Tang and Song dynasty,
peonies had been considered an auspicious symbol
and popular with people, especially scholars.
Peonies were called "the richest of all flowers”,
a symbol of wealth in Chou’s article.
"It’s romantic to die under peonies."
Peonies in the idiom symbolize beautiful women.
Men are pleased to sacrifice for beauties
because it’s a love affair, fame or fortune.
Character of a peony is swift, smart,
and it has both the virtues of firmness and flexibility.
Therefore, the matchless and distinguished peonies
occupy a very important position
in the temple stone ornamentation.