What is the symbolism and flower language of orchids?

  The orchid, a traditional famous flower of China, is a flower known for its fragrance. Its subtle scent is clear and far-reaching; a single stem in a room fills the whole house with fragrance. The ancients praised it, saying: “the fragrance of the orchid covers a whole nation,” hence its alternate name “national fragrance.”

  The orchid's leaves stay green all year round; numerous yet uncluttered, rising and bending freely, with a graceful and elegant posture and a distinctive charm. Since ancient times in China there has been a saying that with orchids, looking at the leaves beats looking at the flowers. Its flowers are plain rather than gaudy, standing gracefully.

  With its distinctive leaves, flowers and fragrance, the orchid uniquely embodies the four purities (pure qi, pure color, pure spirit, pure charm), giving people an image of the utmost nobility and elegant refinement. Famous figures ancient and modern have held it in the highest regard, and it is likened to the gentleman among flowers. Among ancient literati, the beauty of poetry and prose was often likened to “orchid writing,” true friendship to an “orchid bond,” and good friends to “orchid guests.”

  The orchid has an intoxicating fresh fragrance; the blossoms in full bloom have forms both simple and bold, some delicate and pure and elegant, brilliant and beautiful; the orchid has soft, elegant colors, bringing a sense of quiet seclusion, with a light floral scent, coldly beautiful yet fragrant. Though it is neither gaudy nor showy, it is like a modest gentleman, seeming to symbolize all beautiful things.

  The orchid is a precious, wondrous herbaceous plant; it grows in deep mountains and wild forests, “evergreen against bitter cold, smiling through midsummer” (a line by Zhang Xueliang), with noble character, elegant branches and leaves, and fresh, subtle flowers. It is a spirit, an art, a sentiment and a realm, a culture rooted in the long history of the Chinese nation. Its character and style have become a symbol of the ideal personality of the Chinese people.

  1. Symbolism: the bond of brotherhood

  For example, orchids and osmanthus blooming together (orchid, osmanthus) symbolizes lasting kindness that endures without fading, that is, leaving blessings to later generations, and it is also used to praise another's flourishing descendants. Later the orchid also took on multiple layers of meaning, such as fine writing being called “orchid writing,” a complimentary term for another's children being “orchid jade,” and sworn brothers bonded by kindred friendship being called a “golden orchid bond,” and so on.

  Recalling the grandeur of the Beijing Orchid Conference

  2. Symbolism: nobility, standing for purity, elegance, patriotism and unwavering fidelity

  Since ancient times people have regarded the orchid as a symbol of purity, elegance, patriotism and unwavering fidelity; the orchid symbolizes nobility. With its plain elegance, dignified blossoms and subtle, far-reaching fragrance, it has always served as a symbol of noble character. The poet Qu Yuan loved orchids deeply, and in his immortal work Li Sao, fine lines praising orchids appear in many places. The subtle orchid grows in the front courtyard, holding its fragrance awaiting the clear breeze.