When did Chinese orchid culture originate? Exploring the historical origins of orchid culture

     The orchid is one of the traditional famous flowers most loved by the people of our country. Its leaves are graceful and varied in form, its foliage stays evergreen all year round, and its flowers are noble and delicately fragrant. For thousands of years, it has been known as the "ancestor of fragrance," the "king's fragrance," and "the finest fragrance under heaven." 

    The Chinese orchid culture, created by the working people of ancient China in long-term social practice with the orchid as its main content, is a branch of our national culture. When did it originate? In 1976, archaeologists discovered an ancient primitive culture in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province - the Hemudu culture. Archaeological excavation found that among the many pottery vessels unearthed at the Hemudu culture site, there was one vessel engraved and painted with a plant with five leaves, with flower buds about to bloom between the leaves; below it was also engraved and painted a rectangular frame pattern. According to research by relevant experts, the plant depicted on the vessel is the ruolan, and ruolan is the deciduous Calanthe discolor produced in Zhejiang. That rectangular frame pattern is a container for cultivating orchids. Viewed as a whole, the picture closely resembles an engraving of an orchid bonsai. 

    The Hemudu culture is one of China's ancient cultures. In history it extended from about 7000 years ago to 5000 years ago, lasting 2000 years, equivalent to the Neolithic Age. According to research on unearthed artifacts, humanity's earliest aesthetic awareness grew during the process of creating, improving, and using tools. In the late Paleolithic period (20,000 to 30,000 years ago), symmetrically drilled stone tools appeared, and elements of beauty merged into the form of tools. The daily utensils decorated with flower bonsai patterns unearthed at the Hemudu culture site (Neolithic Age) show that ancient humans gradually identified plants over the long ages, discovered the ornamental value of flowers, and cultivated and appreciated them; they also show that human aesthetic concepts were continually progressing along with the development of productive forces. From this we can say that Chinese flower culture originated in the Neolithic Age. Another example is the "Lushi," which records: "In the age of Emperor Yao there was Jin Daohua planting orchids," which by reckoning was already a matter of 5000 years ago. Another example is the "Shiyiji," compiled by Wang Jia of the Jin dynasty, which records that "in ancient times, on the ninth level of Mount Sumeru there were immortals planting orchids." Although these are only legends, ancient legends are also culture, and moreover people would rather believe they existed and never debate their truth or falsity. Because ancient and beautiful legends not only contain people's ideals and yearnings, but to a certain extent also reflect the development path of human civilization in ancient times. A botanist once wrote: "Flowers are the cradle of human civilization." Thinking carefully about the meaning of this statement, it is very profound. In remote antiquity, when humans gathered and ate plant seeds, they would notice the flowers of plants. From hoping for blossoms and fruit to appreciating the beauty of flowers, the process of human social activity drove the elevation of human civilization, and Chinese orchid culture also originated therein.