Chinese Flowers — Month Flowers in Traditional Calendar and Their Cultural Meanings
The Traditional Chinese Calendar is a Lunisolar Calendar, which includes 24 Solar Terms that correspond to the movement of the Sun, and 12 months to note the activities of the Moon.
Each month is represented by a Chinese flower with auspicious, cultural meanings, which formed the 12 flower months.
These traditional Chinese flowers have been frequently described and praised in poems, paintings, and artifacts, and each of them has a flower goddess to represent its beauty and virtues.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
January Flower Plum Blossom — Flower of Strong, Noble, and Modest
Plum Blossom, the Flower of January, is the flower of Five Blessings (in Chinese Wufu), whose five petals represent happiness, wealth, longevity, peace, and success.
They blossom in harsh winter. Therefore, the plum blossom is representative of strength and courage.
More than 3200 years ago, the plum was first used as flavorings, food, and sacrificial offerings.
Centuries later, more types and numbers of flowers were cultivated when Chinese people started to use plum blossoms in cosmetics, medications, and ornamental flowers.
January Flower Plum Blossom in Front of Zhizhi An Temple of Mount Wuyi
During the Tang (618 — 907) and Song (960 — 1279) dynasties, more scholars and artists became big fans of the beautiful flower blossoming in cold January for its attractive appearance, fragrance, and virtues.
They developed a whole ornamental theory, which includes appreciating place, time, shape, activities, etc.
Plum blossom, together with orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum (September Flower), formed the "Four Gentlemen" or "Four Noble Ones" in Chinese Art; each one represents some virtues and highly valued characters.
Since then, the plum blossom has been frequently praised in poems and artworks and is a popular decorative pattern in Chinese people's daily lives.
Poem about Plum Blossom by Wang Anshi (1021 — 1086):
墙角数枝梅，凌寒独自开。遥知不是雪，为有暗香来。
Plum Blossom Shape and Pattern Silver Liquid Container "Yu" of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 — 1279) — Nanjing Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
February Flower Apricot Blossom — Flower of Lucky and Fortunate
Apricot blossom, the Flower of February, has the same pronunciation as "lucky" in Chinese.
Hence, it is representative of good luck and blessed life.
The blooming of the apricot flower means spring is coming.
February Flower Apricot Blossoms in Forbidden City, Photo from Official Site of Palace Museum.
Documented over 3000 years ago, the apricot flower has been used as food, sacrificial offering, medication, cosmetics, and decorative patterns in China.
With light red or pink, tinged in pure white petals, the apricot flower symbolizes purity, artsy, and beauty.
Poem about Apricot blossom by Yang Wanli (1127 — 1206):
道白非真白，言红不若红。请君红白外，别眼看天工。
Apricot Blossoms Painted by Artist Yun Shouping (1633 — 1690) — Shanghai Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
March Flower Peach Blossom — Flower of Longevity and Love
Peach Blossom, the Flower of March, is a famous flora in both mystical and secular worlds.
In ancient mythology, the goddess Xiwangmu has a peach tree forest around her palace on Mount Kunlun.
When King Mu of Zhou and Emperor Wu of Han visited her, she awarded them peaches from these magic trees.
As the plant of powerful immortals, the peach has been representative of longevity in Chinese culture.
March Flower Peach Blossom in Painting of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 — 1279) — Nanjing Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Peach trees are productive, while peach blossoms are beautiful and lush.
Hence, since the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC — 256 BC), peach flowers have been symbols of love, romance, beautiful women, and blessed couples.
Peach Blossom in Shijing, Compiled by Confucius (551 BC — 479 BC):
Peach Blossom Forest in Linzhi of Tibet
April Flower Peony — Flower of Brightness, Glory, and Wealth
Peony, the Flower of April, is renowned as the King of Flowers in traditional Chinese culture, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and honor.
Firstly used as valuable medication in ancient times, peony got cultivated in scale by people in the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420 — 589), introduced to royals in the Sui Dynasty (581 — 618), and became highly valued in the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907).
Peony flowers were cultivated everywhere in the prosperous Tang Empire, from the royal palaces to civilians' gardens.
April Flower Peony and Auspicious Phoenix Patterns on Traditional Clothes of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — National Museum of China (Photo by Dongmaiying)
The glossy, large, colorful, and fragrant peony flowers have been widely praised and portrayed and have become a representative of the flourishing Tang Dynasty.
Peony art, including poems, paintings, artworks, cosmetics, peony pattern jewelry, and decorations, flourished during this period as well.
Since then, the peony has become one of the most popular flowers in China.
Poem of Peony by Liu Yuxi (772 — 842):
唯有牡丹真国色，花开时节动京城。
Peony Flowers in Forbidden City, Photo from Official Site of Palace Museum.
May Flower Pomegranate Blossom — Flower of Happy Marriage, Maturity, and Wealthy
Pomegranate, the Flower of May, was introduced to the Han Dynasty by Zhang Qian (about 164 BC — 114 BC) through the Silk Road and was first cultivated in the royal gardens.
It looks like a beautiful red skirt; hence, a favorite type of women's gorgeous dress was named after the Pomegranate flower (in Chinese is Shiliu Qun).
Pomegranate Flower Dresses or Shiliu Qun in Painting "Zanhua Shinv Tu", By Artist Zhou Fang of the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907) — Liaoning Museum
After it was popularized from the gardens of Chinese Emperors to civilians, Pomegranate became the symbol of beautiful and mature women.
Meanwhile, because of its prolificacy, Pomegranate has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Weddings to represent productivity, flourishing, and wealth.
Poem about Pomegranate by Han Yu (768 — 824):
五月榴花照眼明，枝间时见子初成。
May Flower Pomegranate Blossom, Photo by Dongmaiying.
June Flower Lotus — Flower of Elegance, Harmony, and Purity
Lotus, the Flower of June, comes from silt but stays pure and beautiful and has a similar pronunciation to "Harmony."
Therefore, the lotus represents grace, purity, elegance, nobility, peace, and harmony.
Lotus Shaped Secret Color Porcelain Bowl of the Five Dynasties (907 — 960) — Suzhou Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Documented and cultivated no later than the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC — 256 BC), lotus has been widely used in Chinese medicine, food, artworks, and cosmetics and praised by countless scholars.
Besides, the lotus is also the flower of Taoism and Buddhism. The Taoism Lotus Crown was once a popular hair ornament in the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907).
Poem about Lotus by Li Bai (701 — 762):
竹色溪下绿，荷花镜里香。
June Flower Lotus in Front of Furong Xie in Humble Administrator’s Garden, Photo from Official Site of Zhuozheng Garden.
July Flower Balsamine — The Incarnation of Phenix and the Flower of Energy
Balsamine, the Flower of July, is believed to be the incarnation of Phoenix, one of the most beautiful and powerful mythical animals in Chinese Mythology.
Besides, it has been widely used in medication and cosmetology, especially for painting fingernails.
Therefore, the Balsamine flower is representative of attractiveness, beauty, and energy.
Poem about Balsamine by Wu Renbi of the late Tang Dynasty (618 — 907):
香红嫩绿正开时,冷蝶饥蜂两不知。此际最宜何处看，朝阳初上碧梧枝。
July Flower Balsamine
August Flower Osmanthus Blossom — Flower of Moon, Noble, Honor, and Champion
Osmanthus, the Flower of August, represents the moon and championship.
In Chinese Mythology, there is a vast Osmanthus tree on the moon where the Deity Chang E and her bunny Yutu reside.
In history, the Imperial Examination, held to elect officials, was always in August when Osmanthus blossomed.
People who won first place in the exam were referred to as "Snapped an Osmanthus' Twig."
In the Chinese language, the pronunciation of Osmanthus is the same as "Richness."
Therefore, the sweet-scented Osmanthus symbolizes success, honor, blessing, and wealth.
August Flower Osmanthus Blossom and the Moon
Meanwhile, the Mid Autumn Festival, one of the most important Chinese holidays to celebrate harvest and reunion with family, is on the 15th of August.
On this holiday, worshiping the moon, drinking Osmanthus wine, and eating mooncakes and Osmanthus cakes are popular activities.
Poem about Osmanthus by Zhu Xi (1130 — 1200):
亭亭岩下桂，岁晚独芬芳。叶密千层绿，花开万点黄。
Osmanthus Cakes or Guihua Gao, Picture from lcmtxz.
September Flower Chrysanthemum — Flower of Longevity, Auspiciousness, and Decency
Chrysanthemum, the Flower of September, blooms around the Double Ninth Festival (9th of September in the Traditional Chinese Calendar), a holiday to climb mountains and respect the elders.
Additionally, nine is the most substantial number in ancient Chinese culture representing eternity. Click to read more about the Cultural Importance of Nine
Therefore, Chrysanthemum is representative of longevity.
Handcrafted Chrysanthemum in Potted Landscape of the Qing Dynasty (1636 — 1912) — Palace Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Since over 3000 years ago, chrysanthemum flowers have been cultivated to make food and wine, which are believed to be good for health, especially eyesight.
Later, Tao Yuanming (about 365 — 427), a renowned scholar frequently eulogized Chrysanthemum in his poems as a sign of integrity and fortitude.
Since then, these virtues have been highly appreciated and praised by more poets and became one of the "Four Gentlemen" or "Four Noble Ones" in Chinese art, together with plum blossom (January Flower), orchid, and bamboo.
Poem about Chrysanthemum by Tao Yuanming:
秋菊有佳色，裛露掇其英。
September Flower Chrysanthemums
October Flower Hibiscus — Flower of Virtue and Gorgeousness
Hibiscus, the Flower of October, has bright colors, beautiful appearances, and a pronunciation similar to the "Husband" in Chinese.
Therefore, it is representative of people with great morals, gorgeous women, and one's deep longings for their beloved ones.
Poem about Hibiscus by Wang Wei (701 — 761):
木末芙蓉花，山中发红萼。
October Flower Hibiscus
November Flower Camellia — Flower of Auspiciousness, Persistence, and Elegance
Camellia, the Flower of November, blooms in late autumn and can last for months.
Since the Three Kingdoms (220 — 280), people have been planting Camellia in yards to admire the beauty, drink them as scented tea, and use them in food and medication.
The stunning beauty, rich colors, and long florescence in cold weather made Camellia the representative of auspiciousness, persistence, and elegance.
Poem about Camellia by Lu You (1125 — 1210):
东园三月雨兼风，桃李飘零扫地空。唯有山茶偏耐久，绿丛又放数枝红。
Camellias and Silver Pheasants (Shancha Baixian Tuzhou), by Artist Chen Zun of the Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644) — Palace Museum
December Flower Narcissus — Flower of Purity and Blessing
Narcissus, the Flower of December, was introduced to China about 1000 years ago and was cultivated and served as medication, cosmetics, and decorative potted landscapes.
Narcissus was named a flower fairy in the water, which has many versions of legends regarding its incarnation.
December Flower Narcissus
Gorgeous flowers from the clean water and the fairy-related stories made Narcissus the representative of purity and auspiciousness in Chinese culture.
Poem about Narcissus by Yang Wanli (1127 — 1206):
韵绝香仍绝，花清月未清。天仙不行地，且借水为名。
Narcissus Pattern Carved Lacquerware Plate of the Yuan Dynasty (1271 — 1368) — Palace Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Pictures of the 12 Flower Goddesses are Painted by Tan Qifen and Luo Lan.
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