Chrysanthemums brave the autumn frost and bloom all over the Chrysanthemum City; endless elegance writes itself across the evening glow

Wang Ruting, "Song of the Chrysanthemum City"

The lion and dragon spirit soars to the heavens, shining brilliantly once more in its own majesty!

Fragrance fills the plain lanes and the busy streets; on the desk in the ninth month, chrysanthemums grow lush.

Li Shiguang, "Charm of the Chrysanthemum"

Autumn frost brings forth the flowers of the Chrysanthemum City, endless elegance writes itself across the evening glow;

Casually gathered, unintended lines, born with a charm that enters a thousand homes.

Jin dynasty, Tao Yuanming, "Replying to Assistant Magistrate Guo":

Fragrant chrysanthemums bloom and shine in the woods, green pines crown the rocky ranks.

Cherishing this steadfast and lovely bearing, outstanding as a hero beneath the frost.

Tang dynasty, Du Fu, "The Ninth Day at Yun'an":

The cold-season flowers have all finished blooming, only chrysanthemum buds fill the branches.

Those who picked them before have often changed, light fragrance and wine follow for a while.

Tang dynasty, Bai Juyi, "Ode to the Chrysanthemum":

A night of new frost settles lightly on the tiles, the banana leaves newly broken, the withered lotus toppled.

Only the chrysanthemums by the eastern fence endure the cold, golden grains just opening, clearer still at dawn.

Tang dynasty, Yuan Zhen, "Chrysanthemum"

Autumn clumps surround the house like Tao's home, wandering round and round the fence as the sun daily slants.

It is not that among flowers I favor the chrysanthemum, but that once this flower blooms, there are no more flowers.

Song dynasty, Su Shi, "Zhao Chang's Cold Chrysanthemum"

Light flesh and frail bones give off a hidden bloom, and golden stamens float across the flowing glow.

If you would know the medicine that staves off age and prolongs life, it is this flower that rises only when a hundred grasses have been destroyed.

Song dynasty, Zhu Shuzhen, "Chrysanthemum"

The earth flower can be white and can be red, and in late season it still loves this craft.

Rather grow old on the branch clasping its fragrance than dance in the autumn wind with the yellow leaves.

Ming dynasty, Shen Zhou, "Chrysanthemum"

When autumn fills the fence roots, the flower first appears, yet from cold detachment it meets prosperity.

The west wind at the gate and path holds the fragrance still; apart from Tao's home, it comes to mine.

Song dynasty, Yang Wanli, "Ode to the Chrysanthemum"

The nature of things has always been each its own; who covets cold leanness and tires of the years?

The chrysanthemum chooses for itself the land of wind and frost; it is not that spring light favors the chrysanthemum.

Ming dynasty, Tang Yin, "Chrysanthemum"

In the old garden the three paths put forth hidden clumps, overnight dark frost falls from the blue sky.

How many travelers at the world's edge have not returned home, all leaning on the fence to watch the autumn wind.

The Queen of the Xiang, "Chrysanthemum Dream"

By the fence in autumn's deep drink, a clear sleep, with clouds and moon, indistinct.

Ascending to immortality, not envying Zhuangzi's butterfly; recalling old times, still seeking Tao the magistrate's pact.

Falling asleep, lingering as the geese fade; startled awake, again and again vexed by the cricket's cry.

When awake, to whom can this hidden resentment be told; withered grass and cold mist, boundless feeling.

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