How to celebrate a lost festival? (Part 2)
Discovering the Flower Festival: A Lost Chinese Tradition
Have you ever heard of the Flower Festival , also known as the Flower Goddess Festival or the Birthday of a Hundred Flowers ? This enchanting celebration is a lesser-known gem from China’s rich cultural tapestry, a tradition that once faded into obscurity but remains a beautiful testament to the country’s poetic past.
A Day of Floral Reverence
During the Flower Festival, people come together to honor the Flower Goddess , specifically the Twelve Flower Goddesses , through heartfelt rituals. Imagine the scene: devotees flocking to the Flower Goddess Temple , the air thick with the scent of burning incense as they offer prayers. They ask for blessings from the divine and seek protection for the vibrant growth of flowers and trees—an ode to nature’s beauty and abundance.
Colorful Customs and Poetic Pursuits
The festival bursts with creativity and charm. Young women take part in a delightful tradition called “rewarding red” ,where they snip vibrant, five-colored paper and adorn flower branches with these delicate decorations. Meanwhile, scholars and poets—ever the romantics—set out on group excursions to bask in the blooms, composing poetry and sketching the scenery. In some regions, the festivities grow even more elaborate, with activities like floral games , the release of flower goddess lanterns , and the crafting of flower cakes . It’s a day drenched in artistry, where nature and human imagination intertwine.
The Peony: A Regal Star of the Tang Dynasty
No discussion of Chinese floral traditions would be complete without mentioning the peony , the celebrated national flower of the Tang Dynasty . This luxurious bloom captured the heart of Empress Wu Zetian(武則天） , a powerful ruler with a deep love for its elegance. Over time, the peony earned the title “king of flowers” in Chinese culture, symbolising wealth , auspiciousness , happiness, and prosperity.
Since ancient times, it’s been hailed as “national beauty and heavenly fragrance” —a floral icon of timeless allure.
- White Peony : A symbol of nobility , grace , and trustworthiness , with an air of dignified elegance.
- Pink Peony: A tribute to magnificence , often used to honor women of high status and striking beauty.
A Festival Worth Rediscovering
The Flower Festival may have slipped from widespread practice, but its legacy endures as a vivid snapshot of China’s cultural heritage. Picture a spring day filled with colorful paper fluttering on branches, the soft glow of lanterns drifting skyward, and the murmur of poetry amid blooming gardens. It’s a tradition that celebrates not just flowers, but the joy of life itself. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see this poetic holiday bloom once more?
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