The Four Gentlemen Of Flowers In Chinese Art----chrysanthemum

Compared with the other three plants, chrysanthemum is much less presented in the traditional Chinese ink paintings. One of the most reputed painted chrysanthemums is the Painting of Chrysanthemum and Rock by Chen Chun of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), which is collected by the Capital Museum.

Chrysanthemums are a traditional flower loved by Chinese people, planted as early as three thousands years ago. When nearly all the flowers are withered and bare in late autumn only the chrysanthemums withstand the heavy frost and bloom energetically in graceful shapes and bright colors.

Chrysanthemums under the pen of literati are given more meaning. The most well-known verse about chrysanthemums is “Plucking chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge, I calmly view the southern hills”, which come from the famous poet Tao Yuanming’s poem “Drinking”, showing the leisure of Tao’s reclusive life.

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