What are the poetic lines that describe orchids? These classic famous lines are worth savoring
The Chinese have always regarded the orchid as a symbol of nobility and elegance, and placed it alongside "plum, bamboo and chrysanthemum", collectively calling them the "Four Gentlemen". They usually use "orchid chapter" as a metaphor for the beauty of poetry and prose, and "orchid friendship" as a metaphor for true friendship. There are also those who use orchids to express pure love, such as "Her spirit is like an orchid, never changing; her heart is like an orchid, never wavering." Now let us take a look together at what poetic lines about orchids there are!
Poetic lines describing orchids from the Qing Dynasty
"Breaking an Orchid Branch"
Qing · Zheng Banqiao
Painting much spring breeze is worth nothing, one branch of green jade, half a branch of beauty.
In the mountains the morning sun, in the woods the birds, carry out longing in the second month of spring.
"Wonderful Fragrance at the Mountain Peak"
Qing · Zheng Banqiao
Perched atop a thousand mountain peaks, in deep cliffs and deep crevices the wonderful fragrance is thick.
It is not that there are no floating clouds idling beneath its feet; they come without knowing each other and leave without staying.
"High Mountain Hidden Orchid"
Qing · Zheng Banqiao
Through all ages this flower has been secluded and pure, seeking no fame, only mist and rosy clouds.
Woodcutters may perhaps find a way through, so take a patch of high mountain to screen it further.
"Inscription on a Painting of an Orchid"
Qing · Zheng Banqiao
Perched atop a thousand mountain peaks, in jutting rocks and deep crevices the wonderful fragrance is thick.
It is not that there are no floating clouds making noise beneath its feet; they come without knowing each other and leave without staying.
"Broad Record of Fragrant Plants"
Qing · Liu Hao
The orchid grows in a hidden valley with no one to know it; a visitor planted it in the eastern chamber and left me its fragrance.
I know it has a clear fragrance that can dispel foulness, and I cherish even more its slender leaves that deftly brave the frost.
Its roots settle among dense stones, and its autumn fragrance comes early; the clumps lean on tall bamboo, and the midday shade is cool.
I would leave it together with wild lovage beneath the hall; before my eyes I always see the verses of Chu.
Poetic lines describing orchids from the Ming Dynasty
"Orchid"
Ming · Liu Bowen
Hidden orchid, in the empty mountains, a beauty loves it but cannot see it, so she tears white silk and paints it between the bright windows.
Hidden orchid, how luxuriant, the world now wears it as a pendant and uses it to adorn baskets; I want to stitch it into a leather belt, slender and standing alone, disapproved of by the crowd.
Hidden orchid, for whom are you beautiful? The dew is cold, the wind is clear, and the fragrance ages by itself.
"Lament of the Consort of Xiang"
Ming · Li Mengyang
Gathering orchids north of the Xiang and angelica, pulling up trees south of the Li at the riverbank.
The clear water holds a jade-like luster, and the gentle breeze carries a jade-like sound.
Clouds rise at dusk over Cangwu, and the sun sets in the shade of Dongting.
I do not know the bitterness of the bamboo grove; I only see the depth of the tear stains.
"Orchid"
Ming · Chen Ruyan
The orchid grows deep in the mountains, richly giving off a hidden fragrance.
By chance it is admired by the world, and is moved and placed in a high hall.
It loses the timely rain and dew, and its roots and stems leave their native land.
Though it receives the power of care and protection, it is not nourished in the right way.
In winter cold the frost and snow fall, and its green leaves may be damaged.
How much better to be in the woods and valleys, where when the season comes it is fragrant on its own.
"Drooping Orchid"
Ming · Li Rihua
Following the wind it does not hunt for fragrance, bending over the stream it pities its own reflection.
In the empty mountains spring is in disarray, half of it belongs to the wild woodcutters.
"Inscription on a Painting of an Orchid"
Ming · Chen Xianzhang
On the shady cliff a hundred grasses wither, yet the orchid and huilan have much life.
A gentleman dwells in danger and ease alike, and is thus different from ordinary people.
"Inscription on a Scroll of Orchid and Bamboo"
Ming · Wen Peng
By chance I cultivated two or three plantings of orchid and huilan; the days were warm and the wind gentle, and they opened one after another.
Sitting long, I did not know the fragrance was in the hall; when I opened the window, from time to time butterflies flew in.
"Ziang's Orchid"
Ming · Shi Jian
The national fragrance has fallen and its pendant is empty; green fragrant grass covers the old palace.
Who says someone wrote it with tears? Having no ground to take root, it resents the east wind.
"Painting an Orchid"
Ming · Li Rihua
I resent that the hidden orchid insists on having its way; it blooms without consulting me.
When it touches the tip of my nose I enjoy it, but when I deliberately seek the fragrance, it is not fragrant.
"Wang Chuyu Paints an Orchid"
Ming · Chen Jiru
In recent years the empty valley has been half frosty wind, yet it keeps its lingering fragrance scattered among the grass.
I only fear the woodcutter will confuse orchid with mugwort, and the fair face will be gathered into a bundle of firewood.
"Orchid"
Ming · Dong Qichang
In green garments, lush and verdant, it is planted beside stones; its lone root does not bloom together with the crowd.
When the wine is finished I unroll the scroll beneath the mountain window, and a gentle fragrance comes from the paper.
"Ink Orchid"
Ming · Xu Wei
Green water should only ripple with white duckweed; rouge is meant only to dot red lips.
Ever since I painted the Xiang orchid, I no longer casually inscribe for vulgar people.
Poetic lines describing orchids from the Yuan Dynasty
"Ode to the Orchid"
Yuan · Yu Tonglu
With my hands I cultivated two or three orchid buds; the sun was warm and the wind gentle, and they came one after another in their season.
Sitting long, I did not know the fragrance was in the room; when I pushed the window open, from time to time butterflies flew in.
"Autumn Huilan"
Yuan · Jie Si
The hidden clump is less than a foot tall; in the empty valley, for whom is it fragrant?
Along one path is the color of cold clouds, and the whole grove is fragrant with autumn dew.
"Ink Orchid"
Yuan · Yuan Mei
Flying jade scatters heavenly blossoms, leaning beside the empty rock.
Keeping to ink, it hides itself for a while, and is not green like the other fragrant plants.
"Orchid"
Yuan · Zhang Yu
Weeping dew, its light is especially disordered; holding the wind, its shadow leans of itself.
How can vulgar people understand this? They look at the leaves rather than the flowers.
"Ode to the Orchid"
Yuan · Yu Tonglu
With my hands I cultivated two or three orchid buds; the sun was warm and the wind gentle, and they came one after another in their season.
Sitting long, I did not know the fragrance was in the room; when I pushed the window open, from time to time butterflies flew in.
Poetic lines describing orchids from the Song Dynasty
"Inscription on Yang Cigong's Spring Orchid"
Song · Su Shi
The spring orchid is like a beauty; unpicked, she blushes and offers herself.
From time to time its wind-and-dew fragrance is smelled, but among the fleabane and mugwort it is deeply unseen.
Painting captures its true color, wishing to supplement the tradition of "Li Sao".
Facing it is like facing Lingjun; with cap and pendant, one dares not be frivolous.
"Inscription on Yang Cigong's Huilan"
Song · Su Shi
The huilan is originally of the orchid clan, and its scent is still the same.
It was once worn by the water immortal, and is known in the "Verses of Chu".
Though its illusory color is not real, its true fragrance is in the end also empty.
Why does it give rise to a faint fragrance? The nose has already perceived it first.
"Hidden Orchid"
Song · Shi Wenzhao
Far off it joins the village bridge, in deep spring when rain has long gathered.
The orchid's fragrance is there but people have not yet plucked it; when the flower blooms, the butterfly knows first.
Grass densely seals the quiet path, and the sparse woods reveal a low fence.
Since parting, hoeing has long been abandoned; as I grow old, I regret returning late.
"Orchid"
Song · Ding Wei
Who wouldn't admire the southern song of the southern hills, and who is the official of the pink bureau?
Deep red bears the luster of dew, dark green ripples with the splendor of the breeze.
Often woven into the poet's sash, now and then wafting the fragrance of the state of Zheng.
Why need to seek out nine acres, in ten steps there is already fragrance.
"Xiao and Orchid"
Song Dynasty · Zhang Yong
Planting mugwort among the fragrant orchids, the mugwort thrives and the orchids also wither.
When the autumn wind comes another day, mugwort and orchids will both fail together.
Since ancient times, the heart of the worthy worries about the people's prosperity.
No longer dreaming of the Duke of Zhou, in the middle of the night alone I am stirred with passion.
"Yulanpen"
Song Dynasty · Yan Shu
Red and white rose mallows fall, vermilion and yellow hibiscus blossoms fade.
The family worries over the muggy heat, counting the days and longing for Yulan.
"An Evening Stroll by the East Brook"
Song Dynasty · Shi Chongxian
Stretching the gaze as evening light appears, tender feelings cling to orchid and angelica.
The wind among the white duckweed leaves does not rise on the autumn river.
"Orchid"
Song Dynasty · Mei Yaochen
In the marshes of Chu there are many orchids yet people cannot tell them apart, all take their pure fragrance as comparison.
Mugwort, thatch and pollia are also not distinguished, only the fragrant name is taken to perfume one's garments beautifully.
"Stone Orchid"
Song Dynasty · Mei Yaochen
The stone says it never grew upon the stone, what is named orchid is of the orchid kind.
To cure illness the Yan Emperor recorded its merit, yet the Chu minister who strung it as a pendant did so in vain.
"Spring Couplets for the Empress's Pavilion"
Song Dynasty · Zhao Xiang
Purple orchids and red smartweed cluster round the incense tray, at dawn they follow the golden ewer down from the imperial kitchen.
After court the three palaces return already late, the sunlight is bright and lovely as the snow melts away.
"Ode to Hui Orchid"
Song Dynasty · Zhu Xi
Today's flower has won an ancient name, delicate and graceful its fragrance is even better.
Content at heart one would forget words, how could dusty tomes make one grow old.
"Orchid Brook"
Song Dynasty · Zhu Xi
Bright breeze floats over the green brook, the orchids though withered grow lush day by day.
Through the whole year no one gathers them, holding their fragrance only for themselves.
"Orchid"
Song Dynasty · Zhu Xi
Idly I planted four or five stems of autumn orchid, why should the thin curtain concern my heart so much.
Could one not make plans against the cold wind, to protect the hidden orchid until the clear late season.
Poetic lines describing orchids from the Tang Dynasty
"Song of the Hidden Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Han Yu
How lush the orchids grow, spreading their fragrance far and wide.
If not gathered and worn, what harm is there to the orchid.
That heaven now turns round, why is it so.
I travel through the four directions, by day and by year.
Through snow and frost in abundance, the shepherd's purse and wheat flourish.
If you are not grieved, I will not meet you.
The shepherd's purse and wheat flourish, such is their nature.
The grief of the noble man, the steadfastness of the noble man.
"Spring Manor"
Tang Dynasty · Wang Bo
In the mountains a path of orchid leaves, outside the city a garden of plum and peach.
Who knew that worldly affairs are still, one does not notice the clamor of birds.
"Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Tang Yanqian
Clear wind sways the green rings, cool dew drips on the pale jade.
Why does the beauty not string them, their hidden fragrance fills the empty valley.
"Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Tang Yanqian
The Xie family garden is spread with fragrant grass, the Chu fields have much green sedge.
There suddenly we meet, what will become of the year's end.
"Mooring at the Orchid Isle"
Tang Dynasty · Shi Jianwu
My home is west of the cave stream, I am a guest of the orchid isle.
The sky by day has no wisp of cloud, I sit alone in the empty blue river.
"Autumn Thoughts"
Tang Dynasty · Ma Dai
Pavilion trees are covered with scattered frost, the wild pond has many wild ducks.
The hui orchid cannot be plucked, the old man of Chu vainly sings in sorrow.
"Fragrant Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Li Shimin
Spring light opens the forbidden garden, gentle scenery charms the orchid field.
Illuminating the courtyard with pale color, congealed dew glistens with floating light.
The sun is lovely on uneven shadows, the wind carries fragrance light and heavy.
Surely a noble man will pluck them, and in his sash they will make fragrance.
"Lone Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Li Bai
A lone orchid grows in a hidden garden, amid the weeds all is overgrown.
Though it is lit by the spring sunlight, it is not the high autumn moon.
Flying frost falls early with a patter, its green beauty fears it may cease.
If there is no clear wind to blow, for whom will its fragrance be released.
"Stirred by What I Encounter"
Tang Dynasty · Zhang Jiuling
Orchid leaves are lush in spring, osmanthus blossoms are bright and pure in autumn.
Flourishing is this life force, each naturally makes its own fine season.
Who knows the forest dweller, hearing the wind sits and delights in it.
Plants and trees have their own true heart, why seek to be plucked by a beauty.
"Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Wuke
Orchid color weaves spring light, its rich haze veils all other flowers.
Past the gate and steps dew wets the leaves, seeking the marsh the path is one long fragrance.
In the quiet field the wind blows them into disorder, in the autumn pavilion the rain draws them long.
Lingjun once gathered them, strung them as pendants hung on his lotus garment.
"Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Li Qiao
In the empty room I again invite and seek, forgetting words in a bond that cuts through metal.
Their bloom floats in the wine of Han, their snowy beauty graces the zither of the King of Chu.
In the broad hall a clear fragrance rises, on the high terrace a distant flute sings.
By the He and Fen rivers it should stand out in beauty, who is willing to visit Shanyin.
"Hidden Orchid"
Tang Dynasty · Cui Tu
Hidden and planted, who among the crowd knows, its fragrance is only secretly held.
Since it has no noble man to wear it, it is not that its national fragrance has faded.
White dew moistens it long and early, the spring wind arrives always late.
It is not like the roadside grass, what use is its rich fragrance.
"Orchid Stream"
Tang Dynasty · Du Mu
At Orchid Stream spring ends in vast blue waters, orchids mirrored in the water give off fragrance in the rain.
On the day the grandee of Chu was worn and thin, he must have sought this path to Xiaoxiang.
"Seeing Off Master Hongju Again to Jiangling"
Tang Dynasty · Liu Yuxi
Northwest autumn wind withers the hui orchids, over Lake Dongting's waves the blue clouds are cold.
The talented man of Maoling dwells in Jiangling, I beg to obtain his new poems and read them with palms pressed together.
"To Vice Censor Yu"
Tang Dynasty · Liu Shang
Vast ten-thousand-acre wild forest I dare not look upon, a guest buying a mountain has enough to seek peace.
The fields and gardens lie utterly neglected and overgrown; where can the spring breeze plant orchids and thoroughwort?
"Harmonizing with the Poems of Sanxiang"
Tang dynasty, Liu Gu
Orchids and thoroughwort are fragrant, revealing a jade-like grace; beside the road flowers smile as the scene lingers on.
Beneath Zhuluo Mountain lies endless feeling, all gathered in the time of parting at Sanxiang.
"Respectfully Presented to Xu Zhongshu"
Tang dynasty, Chu Zhaoyang
In the forbidden palace's immortal pool, surpassing the phoenix; by the pool a poetic guest, the Purple Rose Gentleman.
Since you can compose panegyrics that raise a mighty wind, why not from time to time blow the fragrance of orchids and thoroughwort?