What are the symbolic meanings of plum blossoms? The latest complete interpretation of plum blossom symbolism
The plum blossom is a spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation and China, symbolizing the spiritual qualities of perseverance, unyieldingness, courage in taking the lead, and unremitting self-improvement. It is a deciduous tree of the genus Prunus in the rose family (Rosaceae), and together with the orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum it is listed as one of the “Four Gentlemen,” and together with the pine and bamboo it is also known as one of the “Three Friends of Winter.” Now let us take a look together at what the symbolic meaning of the plum blossom is!
The symbolic meaning of the plum blossom
In the history of Chinese literature and art, there are a great many plum poems and plum paintings, symbolizing noble purity, a spirit of proud integrity, fearlessness of severe cold, strength, beauty, and people who are poor yet virtuous. With its faithful and unchanging, noble, strong, and modest character, it inspires people to resolve to strive forward. In the severe cold it blooms before all other flowers, bringing spring to the world alone, and therefore the plum is also often used in folk culture as an auspicious symbol of heralding spring and announcing good news.
The spiritual qualities of the plum blossom
1. The ancients said that the plum possesses four virtues: when it first forms buds it is yuan, when it blooms it is heng, when it sets seed it is li, and when it ripens it is zhen. Later people also said that the five petals of the plum blossom are a symbol of the five blessings: the first is happiness, the second is fortune, the third is longevity, the fourth is smooth success, and the fifth is peace, which we hope for most of all. The five petals respectively symbolize happiness, fortune, longevity, smooth success, and peace.
2. The plum is often used in folk culture as an auspicious symbol of heralding spring and announcing good news. Chen Zhisui's micro-poem "Plum Blossom" writes, “In order to make the companions who struggle against the severe cold hold on, it reveals the news of spring to people.” It is also one of the Three Friends of Winter and the first of the Four Gentlemen among flowers. Since ancient times people have praised its spirit of braving the snow and its lonely, noble beauty of not competing with the hundred flowers for spring.
3. The plum blossom is a spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation, possessing a powerful and universal appeal and driving force, symbolizing the spirit of perseverance, indomitability, courage in taking the lead, and unremitting self-improvement. Folk legend says that other flowers all bloom only in spring, but the plum is different: the colder it is, and the more the wind bullies and the snow presses down, the more spirited and elegant its blossoms become. For several thousand years, the plum blossom's lofty qualities and faithful integrity, blooming brilliantly in the face of snow, sending forth fragrance in the cold, and possessing an iron will and icy heart, have encouraged generation after generation of Chinese people to brave danger and hardship, press boldly forward, and create an excellent life and civilization.
The flower language and legend of the plum blossom
The flower language of the plum blossom is strength, proud integrity, and elegance; the flower language of the red plum is faithful unyieldingness, scorning frost and snow, and being gorgeously enchanting; the flower language of the white plum is purity and faithful unyieldingness; and the flower language of the wintersweet is purity, strength, working quietly without seeking fame, and selfless dedication. There is also a desolate yet beautiful legend about the flower language of the plum blossom.
The legend goes that many years ago, in a peaceful village, there was a pair of senior and junior martial arts disciples who loved each other deeply. One day, a demon suddenly appeared and committed every kind of evil, disrupting the people's quiet life. To save the people of the village, this pair of senior and junior disciples carried swords on their backs and went to find the demon. After several days of fierce fighting, victory seemed close at hand, and the senior disciple also felt his strength gradually failing. Just then, the demon thrust a sword at the senior disciple. Seeing him in danger, the junior disciple leaped forward and shielded him, and the sharp sword pierced deep into her chest. The senior disciple was greatly shocked and, rising up, thrust several swords in succession at the demon.
At last, the demon was killed. The senior disciple lifted up his junior disciple, whose face had already turned pale, and shouted loudly, but because she had lost too much blood, she was soon failing. She gave him a faint smile and said, “You are very brave. I love you, and I will love you forever!” With that, she closed her beautiful eyes. The senior disciple was overcome with grief, and suddenly a miracle happened. He saw a great snow falling all across the sky, and the junior disciple in his arms slowly disappeared, while a young seedling sprang up before him.
The senior disciple knew that it was his junior disciple transformed, and he could not help but stroke the seedling in endless sorrow. His tears fell upon the seedling, and it quickly grew into a large tree. This tree had no leaves but was covered with white blossoms, and a faint delicate fragrance spread for a thousand li. This was the plum blossom. The senior disciple could not bear to part with his junior disciple, and from then on he built a house beside the plum tree, reciting poetry and practicing swordplay in front of it every day. Until the day he was to die, he leaned against that white plum tree and spoke all the words of love he could not finish in a lifetime, and after death he too became a plum tree, whose blossoms came out bright red: that was his passionate love.