中国文化中，花有着特殊的地位
它们是人们的集体共同意识
花象征着中国人最高贵的品质
也是一种语言
传达了美好的寓意
以下这些花，在中国文化中最富诗意
各自代表了一些精神品质
为中国文化所喜爱珍惜
#1 Plum Blossom
梅花
plum blossom stands for noble, unsullied and modest qualities
梅花代表了高贵、纯洁无瑕与谦虚的品质
and is considered as “friend of winter”
被人们认为是“岁寒之友”
Along with orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum,
梅与兰、竹、菊
they are praised as the “Four Gentlemen”
并誉为“四君子”
plum blossom is also a symbol of perseverance
梅花也是坚毅的象征
as Chinese people are always indomitable
中国人就是这样不屈不挠，
and constantly strive to become stronger.
总是力求更强
#2 Peony
牡丹
Peony is considered by many as the country’s national flower
很多人认为牡丹是中国国花
It is a symbol of prosperity
牡丹是富贵的象征，
because of the dazzling color, extraordinary size, and round shape
因其色彩绚丽，花朵硕大，形状圆美
At a higher level, the peony symbolizes prosperity, happiness and peace.
在更高的层面上，牡丹象征了繁荣、幸福与和平
At a material level, it represents wealth and rank.
在物质层面上，牡丹代表了财富和地位
#3 Chrysanthemum
菊花
Chrysanthemums bloom in the late autumn,
菊花开在深秋
so its ability to withstand the coldness
她抵御寒冷的能力
inspired many ancient scholars to write poems and paint pictures
给了很多古代学者以写诗作画的灵感
With its unsophisticated beauty,
菊花之美纯粹
chrysanthemum is also a symbol of longevity in Chinese literature.
是中国文学中长寿的象征
#4 Lotus
莲花
Untouched by any impurities,
莲花不为污秽所染
the lotus symbolizes purity of the heart and mind
是心灵与头脑纯洁的象征
The adoration of the lotus has formed a unique “Lotus culture”
对莲花的喜爱，已经形成了一种独特的“爱莲文化”
lasting a long time in China.
在中国经久不衰
A Song Dynasty scholar, Zhou Dunyi, praised lotus as
宋朝一位学者，周敦颐，赞莲花为
“unsullied from silt where it comes from, retains demure despite being cleaned by water”
“出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖”
#5 Azaleas
杜鹃
It is said that an ancient emperor could not forget his homeland and died in frustration.
相传一位古代君王无法忘却自己的故国，死于忧虑
After his death, he became a bird and sang day and night in late spring.
死后，他化为一只鸟，春深时节日夜啼唱
Finally, it bled to death and the blood tainted all the flowers in mountains;
最终鸟啼血而亡，血染红了漫山的每一朵花
the flowers are thus named after the bird.
由是，花随鸟名
Colorful azaleas represent happiness and prosperity
色彩丰富的杜鹃代表了幸福和繁荣
and can always evoke people’s warm passion for life.
也总能唤起人们对生活的热情
#6 Orchid
兰花
Orchid believed to be elegant yet humble, natural yet refined,
人们认为兰花高雅而谦逊，天然而文质，
joyous yet polite and independent yet friendly.
活泼却彬彬有礼，性格独立却待人友善
Also, Ancient Chinese called eternal friendship “lan jiao”,
另外，中国古人将不朽的友谊称为“兰交”。
or companionship as noble as the orchid,
即像兰花一样高贵的交谊
and beautiful prose and poems “lan zhang”,
将优美的诗文称为“兰章”
or words as graceful as the orchid.
即像兰花一样优雅的词句
#7 Sweet Osmanthus
桂花
A symbol of longevity.
桂花是长寿的象征
Chinese mythology held that a sweet osmanthus grows on the moon
中国神话中，桂树长于月亮上
and was endlessly cut by Wu Gang.
被吴刚永无止境地砍伐
This flower has long been favored by the Chinese
桂花长久以来为中国人所喜爱
because of its fragrance and cultural association.
因其花芬芳，且与文化有关联
#8 Narcissus
水仙
Narcissus is believed to have occult value.
人们相信水仙有神秘价值。
It is used for exorcism, to rout out evil spirits.
水仙可以用来驱邪，摈除恶灵
Narcissus is also believed to have powers to bring a person back to life.
人们还相信，水仙有起死回生之功效
在中国文化中
花如人
有品质，有性格
这种以物喻人观念，根植于中国文化
值得我们学习、研究与传承
