The Flowers of the Four Seasons () are a traditional grouping of flowers found in Chinese cultureChinese Symbols and Chinese Art Motifs . (Retrieved on March 25, 2009) that spread to and influenced other East Asian arts.
In Chinese artChinese Symbols and Chinese Art Motifs . (Retrieved on March 25, 2009) and culture, the flowers that represent the four seasons consist of:
(春蘭) Chūnlán – Spring – orchid (夏荷) Xiahé – Summer – lotus (秋菊) Qiūjú – Autumn – chrysanthemum and (冬梅) Dōngméi – Winter – plum blossom
They contain three of the elements of the Four Gentlemen.article on Chinese painting with the 4 flowers and their symbolism (Retrieved 3-28-2009)Google Booksearch scan of Description of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain by Yen Chu, Yan Zhu, Stephen Wootton Bushell, François Xavier Dentrecolles. Translated by Stephen Wootton Bushell. The Clarendon Press, 1910 (retrieved 3-28-2009)Encyclopedia of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motives, C.A.S. Williams. New York: The Julian Press (1960). p. 190People's Daily Online -- Plum blossom, peony proposed to be national flowers. (Retrieved on March 25, 2009)
Gallery
See also Flower emblems in China Flower emblems in Vietnam Three Friends of Winter List of Chinese symbols, designs, and art motifs
Notes
References
Further reading Flowers Of The Four Seasons: The Fundamentals Of Chinese Floral Painting, Su-Sing Chow (in English and Mandarin Chinese). Art Book Publishing Co. (1983)
External links Winter flowers (Article)