Page 143 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

TREES, FRUITS, FLOWERS, AND PLANTS, in

survives a so far south as Cautou, and
tree-paeouy, scarcely year
never blossoms there twice. Very large prices are sometimes
given by the Chinese for the plants which are brought to that
place."
" "
Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 285 : Is reared for its large
and variegated flowers. It bears the name of kwa-wang, or
king of flowers, to indicate the esteem in which it is held" (see
Nos. 281,287, 290, 293, 391).
"
572 The is also as an omen
Doolittle, p. : pseony regarded
of good fortune, if it becomes full of beautiful flowers and green
leaves. On the other hand, if its leaves should all at once
dry
and its flowers fade or become of an
up, suddenly unpleasant
colour, such a change foreshadows poverty, or some over-
whelming disaster, in the family of its owner."
In the south of China the love or
pteony represents
affection.
Chrysanthemums. — " Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 287 :
" " "
These and asters (see No. 236) are reared for their beauty.
Some of the species are trained over frames, like a vine, pro-
ducing a very elegant appearance when in full blossom."
"
Davis, vol. ii. p. 349 : A flower much cultivated is the
Crysantliemum indicum, which is valued for the variety and
"
richness of its colours (see Nos. 292, 293).
The chrysanthemum is an emblem of mid autumn and
symbol of joviality.
Lotus. — Davis, vol. ii. p. 348 : " At the head of cultivated
flowers the Chinese the Nelumbium, or sacred
place lotus,
whether considered in to its
regard utility or its beauty. It is
often raised for mere ornament in earthenware or
capacious
Its but
porcelain tubs, containing gold-fish. tulip-like, gigantic
blossoms, tinted with pink or yellow, hang over its broad
peltated leaves, which in shape only, but not in size, resemble
those of the nasturtium, the stalk inserted near the
being
centre of the leaf. When cultivated on a scale for the
large
sake of its seeds and root, which are articles of food, it covers
"
lakes and marshes to a wide extent No. Vol.
(see 377). ii.
"
99 The lotus is a favourite of creative and
p. : type power,
representations of it perpetually occur in connection with
Budhism."
Gutzlaff, vol. ii. p. 221, Buddhist heaven : " There are