Peonies in Chinese Culture and Feng Shui: History, Symbolism, and Application

Table of Contents

1. The cultural background and symbolic meaning of peony

1.1 The status of peony in Chinese history
1.2 The symbolism of peony as a symbol of love and wealth
1.3 The connection between peony and marriage and success

2. The colors and symbolic meaning of peony

2.1 The symbolism of white peony
2.2 The symbolism of yellow peony
2.3 The symbolism of red peony
2.4 The symbolism of pink peony
2.5 The symbolism of purple peony
2.6 The symbolism of green peony

3. The symbolic meaning of the number of peony buds

3.1 The symbolism of a single peony
3.2 The symbolism of three peonies
3.3 The symbolism of five peonies
3.4 The symbolism of seven peonies
3.5 The symbolism of nine, eleven, and fifteen peonies

4. How to use peonies at home and in the workplace

4.1 Finding a partner and nurturing a marriage
4.2 Attracting prosperity and wealth
4.3 Improving career and relationships

5. Feng Shui applications of the peony

5.1 Feng Shui symbolism and meaning of the peony
5.2 How to use the peony to improve home feng shui
5.3 Using the peony to improve love, marriage and prosperity
5.4 The association between the peony and the Feng Shui Bagua
5.5 Feng Shui applications of the peony in career and relationships

6. Taboos and precautions for using the peony

6.1 Situations where the peony is not suitable
6.2 The relationship between the peony and water
6.3 How to use the peony image reasonably

7. Using the peony in the garden and artwork

7.1 Planting peonies in the garden
7.2 Incorporating the peony symbol in artwork

8. More tips and traditions about the peony symbol

8.1 Peony as a symbol of the 12th wedding anniversary
8.2 The relationship between peony and wedding happiness and wealth
8.3 How to maintain peony flowers and their energy

Peony, as one of the most symbolic flowers in traditional Chinese culture, is known as the "king of flowers". Its Chinese name not only includes the traditional name "peony", but is also affectionately called "wealth flower", which symbolizes wealth and honor; or "flower king", expressing its supreme status among all flowers. Peony is not only a common element in Chinese classical paintings, but its symbolic meaning is also closely related to many religious festivals. It is an important symbol in Chinese culture and Feng Shui.

Peony flowers are extremely beautiful, and their shape is like a full bud, like soft cotton candy. The petals are thick and dazzling when they bloom. The color usually presents pure white, gentle pink or warm red, symbolizing the beauty, tenderness and power of love of women. In Chinese culture, peony not only symbolizes beauty and elegance, but also represents good luck and prosperity, and is regarded as a symbol of wealth and happiness.

In Asian culture, flowers are closely related to the four seasons, and each flower represents different emotions and natural forces. In spring, orchids, cherry blossoms and peonies represent love, prosperity and good luck; in summer, lotuses symbolize patience and wisdom; in autumn, chrysanthemums represent hope; and in winter, plum blossoms blooming in the snow symbolize blessing and longevity. These four flowers often appear together in Asian culture and Feng Shui symbols, representing the cycle of seasons and the endless cycle of nature.

As a romantic and elegant royal flower, peony also often appears in traditional Buddhist thangka paintings. In thangkas, Buddha statues, bodhisattvas and other gods often hold peonies in their hands, which is not only a praise of the beauty of peonies, but also a symbol of auspiciousness and holiness. Peonies are usually depicted in three different life stages in art works: buds symbolize new life and hope; middle flowers represent current prosperity and achievement; and blooming flowers symbolize aging, death and withering. This process reflects the cycle of life - aging and death must be followed by new life and rebirth.

Because peonies have a variety of colors, each color represents a different symbolic meaning. Pink peonies are especially precious and are often used to symbolize passion and desire, and are therefore often closely associated with romance, love, and beautiful emotions. It is no coincidence that the legendary beauty Yang Guifei has been compared to the peony in history. It is said that Yang Guifei attracted the emperor's attention by placing a bunch of blooming mountain peonies in her room, which triggered a legendary love story.

The cultural symbolism and beautiful appearance of the peony make it a treasure in Chinese traditional culture, with both aesthetic value and rich symbolic meaning.

Origin and History of Peony

The history of peony in China can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), during which time it quickly became an important plant in the palace gardens and soon spread throughout the country. In the Tang Dynasty, peony became a symbol of royal luxury and beauty due to its gorgeous appearance and fragrant aroma. It not only appeared in paintings and fabrics, but was also often incorporated into poems and fables to commemorate the prosperity and wealth of the country. The red peony became one of the most precious flowers with its gorgeous color and symbolic meaning of wealth, while the white peony was regarded as a symbol of Chinese girls, representing beauty, purity and happiness.

In ancient China, peony was not just a flower, it was a symbol of status and power. Especially during the Tang Dynasty, peony was given the honorary title of "king of flowers" and became a flower exclusively for the royal family. Peony patterns could only be embroidered on the clothes of royal members, and civilians were not allowed to wear them without permission. If civilians violated the law, they might even be sentenced to death, which further demonstrated the special status of peony in Chinese society.

Cultural Status and Symbolism of Peony

In 1903, Empress Dowager Cixi officially designated the peony as China's national flower, symbolizing the country's wealth and prosperity, a move that reflects the cultural value of the peony during the Qing Dynasty. Although the peony lost its status as the national flower during the Cultural Revolution, mainly because it was considered to symbolize the country's desire for increasing wealth, it still holds a special place in the hearts of the Chinese people.

After several national public opinion surveys, the peony was recommended as the national flower again in 1994 and 2003, but the title has not been officially confirmed to this day. The symbolism of the peony goes far beyond beauty, and it also plays an important role in ancient medicine. In the past, the peony was used to treat conditions such as headaches, asthma, and was sometimes even used to relieve pain during childbirth, showing its unique use in traditional Chinese medicine.

The spread of the peony and its global impact

In the early 20th century, peony seeds were brought to Europe and quickly spread in gardens in Europe and North America. Due to its beauty and variety of colors, the peony quickly became a favorite of flower lovers in these regions. Peonies are not only loved as ornamental plants in these countries, but have also become an important part of floral art and culture.

Today, the status of peony in Chinese culture is equivalent to that of rose in Western culture. It not only symbolizes love and beauty, but also means prosperity and happiness of family and country. The appearance of peony always brings a strong festive atmosphere in many celebrations and festivals, especially during the Spring Festival and other traditional festivals, when peony flowers are often used as decorations to symbolize good luck and auspiciousness in the new year.

Luoyang: The Hometown of Peonies

Although peonies are grown all over China, Luoyang (located in Henan Province in eastern China) is undoubtedly the best place to appreciate peonies. Luoyang is known as the "City of Peonies", and every spring, thousands of tourists come to visit the city's famous peony gardens. Not only does it have more than 500 varieties of peonies, it is also famous for an ancient peony that is more than 1,600 years old and is 3 meters tall. This ancient peony is one of the oldest peonies in the world, symbolizing Luoyang's profound history and culture and its reverence for peonies.

In Luoyang's peony garden, visitors can not only appreciate the beauty of peonies, but also feel the profound cultural heritage behind them. These flowers are not only the embodiment of natural beauty, but also a symbol of China's long history and rich culture.

The spread and influence of peony is gradually expanding not only in China, but also around the world. It represents not only the beauty of flowers, but also the cultural symbol of an era, carrying ancient cultural traditions and people's yearning for a better life.

The symbolic meaning of peony in Chinese culture

Peony is not just a beautiful flower, it carries a profound symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. As one of the most beautiful flowers in China, peony has both sexy and healing power, symbolizing love, marriage, wealth, honor and status. Its charm is not only reflected in its appearance, but also in the rich cultural connotations and spiritual power it represents.

Symbol of love and marriage

Peony is a symbol of love and marriage, and this cultural meaning has been circulating in China for a long time. Especially in weddings and celebrations of newlyweds, peony often becomes an important decorative element. Peony is believed to attract love, especially in the bedrooms of newlyweds, where paintings of peony are often hung as blessings and prayers. In addition, parents often hang peony paintings in the living room, hoping to attract an ideal son-in-law through its beautiful symbol. This cultural background reflects the unique role that peony plays in love and marriage.

Not only women, the symbolic meaning of peony also applies to men. It is believed to help men attract love and enhance interpersonal relationships, which is a widely recognized belief in traditional Chinese culture.

Symbol of Wealth and Success

In addition to love and marriage, the peony also symbolizes wealth and success in Chinese culture. As the "king of flowers", the peony is closely associated with money, status and social honor. Peonies often appear in artworks and paintings that symbolize good luck and wealth. For example, when the peony is paired with a mandarin duck, it represents a happy and healthy marriage; when paired with a rooster, it means academic success and a wealthy life. When the peony appears with fish, crabapple flowers or egrets, it symbolizes prosperity and wealth, and the combination of crabapple flowers and magnolias is a symbol of "Yutang Fugui", meaning a wealthy and prosperous family.

In addition, the combination of peony with plants such as lotus, peach, and bamboo also has important symbolic meanings in Feng Shui and artwork. When the peony appears with the lotus, it represents honor, prosperity and power; when paired with peach, it symbolizes wealth, longevity and recognition; when it appears in a vase with bamboo, the peony symbolizes peace and wealth. More interestingly, the combination of peony with auspicious animals such as unicorn, phoenix and peacock represents noble social status and lofty honor.

Symbol of longevity and holiness

In traditional Chinese culture, peony is also closely associated with longevity and divine blessings. Peony, peach tree, bamboo, ganoderma lucidum and narcissus often appear together in artworks, symbolizing "immortal blessing of longevity", that is, the blessing of longevity bestowed by the gods. Such a combination is very common in Feng Shui and Chinese paintings, implying divine longevity and health, especially suitable for blessings for the elderly and wishes for longevity.

Peony in mythology and historical legends

Legends about peony also occupy a place in Chinese culture. In particular, the story of Luoyang peony is widely circulated. According to legend, Wu Zetian was dissatisfied with peony and demoted it to the mountains of Luoyang. Since then, Luoyang peony has thrived in the mountains and has become the most beautiful peony in the world, famous all over the world. Therefore, Luoyang is known as the "City of Peonies", and its variety and quantity of peonies attract countless tourists every year.

Subtle symbolic substitution

Despite the many profound meanings of peonies, other flowers are sometimes used in culture to convey similar meanings. Flowers such as gardenias, begonias, and hibiscus, although different in appearance from peonies, also represent love, good luck, and a good life. This substitution reflects the sensitivity of Chinese culture to natural elements and the flexible use of symbolic meanings.

In summary, the symbolic meaning of peony in Chinese culture is extremely rich. It not only represents beauty and love, but also symbolizes wealth, honor, longevity, and family happiness. Whether in artistic creation, feng shui arrangement, or symbolic use in daily life, peony has become an indispensable part of Chinese culture with its unique charm and profound cultural heritage.

How ​​to Use Peony Symbolism in Feng Shui

In Feng Shui, plants and flowers are viewed as natural objects that carry profound energy and symbolism. They not only beautify the environment, but also influence the flow of energy around them, which in turn affects the fortunes and emotional states of family members. As one of the most auspicious flowers in Feng Shui, peonies often play an important role in Feng Shui arrangements, as they symbolize love, wealth, beauty, and prosperity.

Peonies are particularly seen as a symbol of spring in Feng Shui, which is closely associated with the wood element, which represents vitality, expansion, flexibility, and compassion. When we want to cultivate these virtues in our lives or increase our good fortune in life, peonies become a very suitable choice. Feng Shui masters often recommend placing peonies to stimulate and enhance these positive energies.

1. Attracting a Life Partner and Nourishing Marriage

The aura of peonies is believed to help attract an ideal partner, while also increasing intimacy and harmony in existing relationships. Therefore, peonies are an ideal choice for singles and married couples.

- Singles: For singles, place a vase of red peonies or related artwork in your living room or bedroom to attract love. Red peonies represent passion and attraction, and are effective in enhancing charm and appeal. Using peony artwork instead of real flowers can avoid the negative energy brought by the withering flowers, and the symbolic meaning it conveys is also very powerful.

- Married people: Married couples can place pink peonies in their bedrooms. It not only helps to maintain the love between husband and wife, but also symbolizes the warmth and harmony of the family. In addition, pink peonies help to enhance the emotional connection between husband and wife and enhance the fortune of fertility.

- Special Feng Shui ritual: If you are looking for an ideal partner, you can write down the qualities you want in your partner with a red pen on a white paper, and then put this paper and two red peonies in a small silver box. Place this silver box in the right corner of the bedroom, close to the wall farthest from the door, and keep it there for 49 days. Feng Shui theory says that after this cycle, you will meet your ideal partner. But be careful, when you find your ideal partner, you should take down the peony picture in time to avoid too much "passionate" behavior affecting the relationship.

2. Attract prosperity and good luck

Peony is also considered a symbol of prosperity and good luck. If you want to bring more opportunities and wealth to your family or career, peonies are a perfect choice.

- Front door Feng Shui: Feng Shui believes that the front door is the "chikou" of the home, that is, the main channel for energy and opportunities to enter. To attract good luck and wealth, place a vase of fresh peonies at the front door. This way, every time you enter the door, the energy of the peony will bring you new opportunities and good luck. In addition, peony patterns can also be used as decorative paintings to enhance the overall good luck of the home.

3. Improve career fortune

Peony not only helps personal emotional fortune, but also improves performance and relationships in the workplace. In the workplace, peony symbolizes positive energy, can dissolve negative emotions and promote physical and mental health.

- Office Feng Shui: Hanging a peony painting in the office or meeting room can help enhance the friendly atmosphere among the team and inspire a positive work attitude. The presence of peonies can make the whole environment more dynamic, help people improve work efficiency and enhance cooperation at work.

- Improve career status: Pink and white peonies are best for improving career fortune because these two colors symbolize gentle power and prosperity. Placing them in the north of your office can help you gain more opportunities and success in your career. The energy of the peony is not only conducive to team interaction, but also helps to enhance one's professional status. It is considered a symbol of business success and can help career advancement, especially for those who aspire to higher positions.

- Wear peony jewelry: Women can wear jewelry with peony patterns in the workplace, such as hairpins, brooches or pendants. These small accessories can bring good luck, and their beautiful symbolism can also help enhance personal charm and increase influence in the workplace.

4. Be careful to use peonies in moderation

Although peonies can bring a lot of positive energy, too many peonies may have an "overheating" effect. In Feng Shui, overusing a certain energy may cause imbalance. Therefore, it is recommended to be moderate when using peonies. If you or your family have already achieved love or success, the number of peonies should be reduced or removed in time to prevent excessive enthusiasm from affecting the harmony of relationships and family.

In these ways, peonies can not only be used as home decoration, but also as a powerful tool to guide the flow of energy and improve fortune. Whether through real flowers, artwork, or wearing peony jewelry, peonies can bring you love, prosperity, good luck, and career success. In Feng Shui, the peony is undoubtedly an indispensable auspicious plant.

Growing Peonies in Your Garden

If you have a garden where you can grow peonies, this is a great way to introduce their vitality and beauty into your home. Peonies are easy to grow, and once mature in the right environment, they will produce abundant flowers every year, bringing great visual enjoyment. In addition to admiring the beauty of peonies in the garden, you can also bring bouquets of them indoors to enjoy the aura of good fortune and prosperity that peonies convey.

How to grow peonies:

1. Choose a suitable location: Peonies prefer sunny places and well-drained soil, preferably soil rich in organic matter.

2. Planting time: Autumn is the best season to plant peonies, because this is when the plants are able to take root in the winter and prepare for flowering next year.

3. Care and pruning: Try to avoid excessive pruning when peonies first start to grow. Peonies are very resilient, and after a few years of growth, you will be able to get abundant flowers suitable for bouquets.

4. Fertilize regularly: Peonies need the right amount of nutrients to maintain healthy growth, and you can choose organic fertilizers or special flower fertilizers.

Using Peony Symbols in Artwork

If you don’t have a garden or want to incorporate the symbolism of the peony into your home’s Feng Shui on a more permanent basis, peony artwork is another perfect option. Choose a piece that really speaks to you and hang it in a prominent place in your home with intention. Not only does a peony painting beautify a space, it also brings a strong aura of good fortune to the home.

Creating your own peony artwork is also a way to add a personal touch and energy. You can choose to create it yourself or commission an artist to create a work based on the symbolism of the peony. In this way, the symbolism of the peony becomes more personal and far-reaching.

The Meaning and Symbolism of Peony Colors

The color of the peony gives it different symbolic meanings. Each color conveys a unique energy that affects our family, love, and career fortunes. Choosing the right peony color can help improve the Feng Shui and happiness of your home.

1. White Peony
The white peony represents purity, harmony, and tranquility. It creates a calm and stable environment, reduces arguments between family members, and helps dissipate negative energy. In relationships, white peonies can also ease tension, bring inner peace and emotional restoration. If family relationships are beginning to fray, gifting white peonies can help restore harmony.

2. Yellow Peony
Although relatively rare, yellow peonies represent wealth, stability and new beginnings. Yellow symbolizes imperial power in Chinese culture, so yellow peonies are often associated with luck, dignity and good fortune. In Feng Shui, yellow is associated with the earth element, which symbolizes stability, practicality and down-to-earth. It helps to reveal the truth and clear away lies, while also promoting stability in family relationships.

3. Red Peony
Red peonies are passionate and energetic, representing love, passion and strength. If you are looking to rekindle the spark of love or meet your ideal partner, red peonies are the best choice. Red also symbolizes success and recognition in your career and can add positive energy to your home. It is associated with the fire element and can promote a vibrant and passionate atmosphere.

4. Pink Peony
Pink peonies are closely associated with tenderness, love and romance. It symbolizes happiness, dignity and wealth, so it is perfect for holiday decoration or as a gift for family occasions. Pink peony can help ease quarrels in the family and create a warm atmosphere. It is a symbol of harmonious coexistence between husband and wife. It is especially suitable for families who need to enhance their feelings and reconcile their relationships.

5. Purple Peony
Purple peony is a noble flower that represents wealth, dignity and spiritual sublimation. Purple also symbolizes respect and protection, so purple peony can not only bring harmony to the family, but also provide powerful energy protection. Purple peony is an excellent choice when you need to express apology or want to respect others. They are also suitable for meditation or solitude to help purify the mind and enhance the effect of meditation.

6. Green Peony
Green peony symbolizes new beginnings, renewal and growth. It is an ideal gift for marriage, graduation or starting a new business. Green peony represents wealth and progress, suitable for those who are starting a new stage. They are also often given as gifts for housewarming, implying the smoothness and wealth of a new life.

The symbolic meaning of the number of peony buds

In Feng Shui, peony is not only a symbol of the flower itself, but its number also has special symbolic meaning. The number of each bud represents different energy and emotional fluctuations, so choosing the right number of peony buds can effectively enhance specific fortunes and blessings.

1. One peony
A peony symbolizes loyalty and unity. It is particularly suitable for hanging in the bedroom or family space of a couple, indicating the deep affection and unity between the couple, and heralding a long life, wealth, and a happy and fulfilling marriage life. This number of peonies conveys a pure and dedicated love energy.

2. Three red or pink peonies
Three peonies, especially red or pink ones, represent a stable and deep love relationship. It symbolizes that a person will only have one lover in his heart, and this configuration of peonies can enhance loyalty and stability in marriage. When used between a couple, it means that they are deeply affectionate to each other and will not be disturbed by any temptation from the outside world.

3. Five peonies
The buds of five peonies represent beautiful emotions and positive changes. This arrangement of flowers symbolizes intimacy and harmony among family members, and brings good luck and prosperity. Five peonies are often used to express wishes for a better future for life and family.

4. Seven peonies
Seven peonies is the classic number for wedding or anniversary gifts. Seven peonies symbolize the perfection of love and the expectation of a happy life in the future. It can bring double happiness to family and career, promote the warming of the relationship between husband and wife, and also indicate the growth of career and wealth.

5. Nine, eleven, and fifteen peonies
In Chinese culture, nine, eleven, and fifteen peonies represent a lot of money, respect, and honor. Nine peonies are especially suitable for giving to the elderly, implying longevity and respected status. Fifteen peonies symbolize a rich family and stable wealth, and are a very auspicious number suitable for giving to elders or important business partners.

Avoidance

Although the symbolism of peonies is mostly related to positive energy and good luck, there are also some Feng Shui principles that need to be followed when using them to ensure that their energy is maximized.

1. The importance of emotional attitude
If you don't like flowers or have no interest in flowers, it's best to avoid placing peonies or other flowers in your home or work environment. Because the symbolic effect of flowers often depends on the emotions and attitudes of the owner, it is difficult for people who are indifferent or don't care about flowers to benefit from the symbolic meaning of flowers.

2. Timely replacement of patterns and flowers
If you place peony patterns or floral patterns in your home to achieve a certain goal (such as finding a partner), it is best to remove them in time after achieving the goal. Otherwise, continuing to keep the floral pattern may have an adverse effect and even reverse your original fortune.

3. Avoid contact with water sources
In Feng Shui, the interaction between flowers and water sources is not harmonious. Peonies should not be placed near aquariums, fountains or artificial ponds, because the element of water may conflict with the wood element represented by peonies, affecting the positive energy brought by peonies. Therefore, try to avoid using peony patterns or flowers in places with water sources.

More Feng Shui Tips About Peonies

1. Choose the Right Peony Artwork

If you plan to purchase a peony painting, choose one that depicts the growth and optimism of the peony. Peony images can help to enhance the positive energy of a space, promoting a sense of well-being and vitality for the occupants.

2. Keep Your Flowers Healthy

In Feng Shui, the health of a plant directly affects the energy it brings. Make sure your peony flowers or plants remain healthy and grow, and regularly replace wilted and dead plants to avoid accumulating bad energy.

3. Feng Shui Placement for Wealth

If you wish to attract wealth and good fortune, you can place peony flower artwork in the southwest corner of your home. The southwest is the area of ​​wealth and prosperity in Feng Shui, and peonies in this location can enhance a family's wealth and interpersonal relationships.

4. Weddings and Peony Petals
The use of peony petals in weddings has a deep symbolic meaning, representing marital happiness and financial success. Giving peonies on weddings or anniversaries is an auspicious choice that can enhance the couple's relationship and career success.

5. 12th Anniversary Flower

In China, the peony is considered the commemorative flower for the 12th anniversary of marriage, symbolizing a long, stable and vibrant marriage. Giving a peony as a 12th anniversary gift not only symbolizes romance, but also implies wealth and prosperity in the marriage.

Peony flower plate ceramic decoration

With these feng shui and symbolism guides, you can better harness the energy of the peony to bring love, wealth, health and a harmonious family atmosphere.

Conclusion

Peony, as a treasure in Chinese traditional culture, not only attracts people's attention with its gorgeous colors and fragrance, but also has deep roots in history and symbolism. From the royal favorite of the Tang Dynasty to its beautiful meaning circulated among the people, the peony flower has always symbolized wealth, love and prosperity. Every bud, every color, and every detail of it carries the transmission of culture and the wisdom of life.

By cleverly using the symbolism of peony in our homes, offices or works of art, we can not only decorate the environment, but also use its energy to bring positive changes. Whether it is to enhance feelings, promote career development, or attract good luck and prosperity, peony can provide us with a kind of vitality.

Whether you choose to plant a peony yourself or turn it into a painting to decorate your life, peony can bring an experience connected with nature, culture and a good life. In every corner of Feng Shui and life, the existence of peony symbolizes a kind of beauty, auspiciousness and infinite possibilities. Let it bloom in your life, bring hope and blessings, and make every day full of brilliant colors and positive energy.