Chrysanthemum
Overview
The fourth of the four gentlemen, associated with the ninth month and with the poet who withdrew from office to grow them.
Meaning
The chrysanthemum is the emblem of autumn and of retirement — the flower that opens as others finish.
Traditional Interpretation
Sources pair the chrysanthemum with the double-ninth festival and with wine, and the association with retirement comes from the specific poet who made it famous.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What does chrysanthemum symbolize in Chinese tradition?
The chrysanthemum is the emblem of autumn and of retirement — the flower that opens as others finish. The fourth of the four gentlemen, associated with the ninth month and with the poet who withdrew from office to grow them.
What does the chrysanthemum stand for?
It is one of the standard plants with an agreed reading. The chrysanthemum is the emblem of autumn and of retirement — the flower that opens as others finish. The retirement reading is tied to one figure — the poet who left office for his garden — and the flower carries his biography with it.
How is chrysanthemum read in Chinese tradition?
Sources pair the chrysanthemum with the double-ninth festival and with wine, and the association with retirement comes from the specific poet who made it famous. It is grouped under Metal (金) in the five-element system.
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