Author: Chu Teacher

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The Recent Recognition of Chinese Flower Arrangement as Intangible Cultural Heritage

In recent years, Chinese flower arrangement has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage, affirming its cultural value. Through flower arrangement, not only is technique passed down, but also the underlying philosophical thoughts, emotional experiences, and attitudes towards life. Both Chinese flower arrangement and Ikebana reflect Eastern culture’s respect for nature and profound understanding of life.
As one of China’s traditional art forms, Chinese flower arrangement showcases the beauty of nature and contains rich cultural connotations. Unlike Western flower arrangement, it emphasizes “artistic conception” and “spontaneity,” pursuing the realm of “harmony between humans and nature.” This art form is more than just placing flowers together; it focuses on material selection, harmonious composition, and emotional expression. I believe that the variety of flowers does not need to be vast; appreciating the essence of the main flower is sufficient.

In terms of Eastern flower arrangement, particularly Japan’s Ikebana, there is a similar philosophical foundation. Ikebana emphasizes simplicity and the use of space, advocating the art of “white space,” which aligns with the concept in Chinese flower arrangement. This also resembles the Daoist thought of “having action while having no action,” emphasizing harmony between action and inaction. This philosophy suggests that one should act according to the laws of nature rather than forcibly intervene, promoting a lifestyle that flows with nature and adapts to circumstances.

Learning Chinese flower arrangement not only allows individuals to better appreciate the beauty of flowers but also helps enhance artistic taste in life. The process requires calm observation and heartfelt feeling, making it not just a technical skill but a spiritual practice. Through this quiet observation, individuals can learn to find peace in their busy lives and deeply experience every detail of life, paying attention to flower shapes, the natural growth direction of branches, and infusing their perceptions of nature into their works.

 

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The Perfect Combination of Flowers arrangement and Tea Tasting

变窑

In the world of tea ceremony, brewing and tasting tea is not only a process of enjoying the tea leaves themselves, but also an expression of the art of living. When we sit at the tea table and enjoy the aroma and essence of tea, the arrangement of the entire environment also has an undeniable impact on the tea tasting experience. Flower arrangements at the tea table, which apply the art of flower arranging to the tea ceremony, are an important element in enhancing the atmosphere.

The color, shape and fragrance of tea flowers can influence the emotions and feelings of tea drinkers. For example, white symbolizes purity and nobility, giving a sense of calm and relaxation. Red is vibrant and can ignite the enthusiasm of the tea drinker. Yellow brings sunshine-like warmth and contributes to a cheerful atmosphere. In addition to stems and leaves, it is generally advisable to use single-colored flowers, preferably small ones, in arrangements.

The character (pin) in tea tasting implies that the aroma of tea travels from the cup to the tip of the tongue, not only quenching thirst but also calming the mind and inspiring thought.

Let me use another example to illustrate the uniqueness that tea tasting can bring.

Nowadays, most city dwellers prefer coffee, enjoying a cup every morning to energize themselves for the day’s work. Perhaps because coffee is a well-known stimulant, it gives a “worldly” feeling, similar to Western floral arrangements, which tend to be vibrant and exuberant, reflecting a free and uninhibited nature.

In contrast, tea provides an “earthly” experience. Using Chinese floral arrangements as a metaphor, it emphasizes the beauty of the flowers and their orderly presentation, reflecting the Confucian philosophical principles of the Chinese people. Enjoying a good cup of tea can soothe a noisy soul while focusing on the present, allowing one to relax.

Floral arrangement is an ancient art form, a three-dimensional expression of art that brings life and complements tea art, emphasizing the beauty of the “present” as well. It can effectively guide the eye, enhance the overall aesthetics of the tea setting, and allow tea drinkers to appreciate the profound cultural heritage in a room filled with fragrant tea.

A carefully arranged tea setting that combines tea flowers and the art of floral arrangement can create a tea tasting environment that is both beautiful and comfortable. This atmosphere not only enhances the pleasure of tasting tea, but also transforms every tea gathering into a spiritual experience. For tea artists and enthusiasts, this is an area worth exploring, allowing us to discover more beautiful things in the world of tea.

For those interested in learning or experiencing tea flower arrangements, WAAFAACII offers tea flower experience classes, which last approximately 1.5 hours and explain the ways and history of tea flowers, including a tea session and a hands-on flower arrangement experience. Participants can take home the materials used. Classes require a minimum of three participants. Enquiries and reservations are welcome.

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Exploring the Artistic Life Through Chinese Floral Art

中華花藝

Exploring the artistic life through Chinese flower art I recently went to Taiwan to take a course again. Last year I stayed for two months, but this time I can only stay for two weeks. Because of the tight schedule, I am basically with flowers every day. I have to empty myself completely, like a squeezed sponge, to absorb and push myself to the limit. I have now entered the advanced programme, where the ‘high-standing’ and ‘high-rising’ styles are very different from the traditional approach of placing the main flower in the lowest position. In the high-standing style, the main flower is placed at a height of five, like the head-to-body ratio of one-fifth when a ruler sits on a throne. This is known as the “five-headed” proportion. In the “high-rising” style, the main flower is placed at a height of seven, like the head-to-body ratio of one-seventh when a ruler is standing. This is known as the “seven-head” proportion. Isn’t that interesting? Chinese floral art emphasises natural harmony and pursues a dynamic, ethereal aesthetic. From the selection of the right flowers to their skilful arrangement and accentuation, every step of Chinese flower arranging requires deep cultural knowledge and refined craftsmanship. The traditional wisdom and exquisite techniques embedded in this art form are the key to its intergenerational transmission. Whether in colour matching, line arrangement or composition, every detail reflects the depth and breadth of Chinese culture. Only by immersing oneself in it can one truly appreciate the infinite charm of Chinese flower arranging.

 

The Chinese floral art curriculum, similar to the Ikenobo, Koryu, Sogetsu and Kado schools in Japan, has a systematic certification programme that allows students to progressively master this art form. Whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast, students can follow the textbooks and learn systematically. From elementary to intermediate levels, there are no exams – just complete all the classes to apply for the certificate. At the end of the advanced programme, students can enter the first round of examinations. Passing the examination allows entry to the research programme.

 

To become an instructor, one must complete both the Research I and II programmes, pass the written and flower arrangement examinations, and this process takes at least five years. But the subjects of floral arrangement are endless. Each encounter with flowers brings new inspirations and challenges, and the experience is unique and irreplaceable. Entering the advanced research programme will bring even more new shocks and stimuli.

In recent years, Hong Kong has been actively promoting the inheritance of Chinese culture, and Chinese flower arrangement, as one of the four great classical arts of China, has received increasing attention. From classical poetry and paintings, we can see the deep-rooted love of flowers in the cultural DNA of the Chinese nation.

 

We should all cherish this ancient cultural treasure and work together to make flower lovers experience the beauty of this art. Like the ancients, we can bring flowers into our homes, live with them and feel the traditional Chinese philosophy and wisdom through floral art.

Chinese Flower Art

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Exploring the Aesthetics of Floral Art: From Basic Techniques to Creative Insights

Recently, more and more flower shops have opened in Hong Kong, no longer limited to flower markets. As the price of floral materials has come down, more and more people are willing to buy fresh flowers to take home. However, to successfully create an attractive floral arrangement, one must not only master the basic techniques, but also gain experience in growing and caring for flowers.

The origin, variety and choice of colour of the floral materials, as well as their freshness, water retention, water quality, temperature and air circulation will all affect the degree of bloom and life of the flowers.

Roses, chrysanthemums, lilies, carnations and hydrangeas are flowers that are available all year round, but the varieties and colour choices on the market vary with the seasons. As the saying goes, “eat what’s in season”, and the same principle applies to creating floral art.

Simple vase arrangements are an essential skill for any flower lover. As well as colour coordination, you also need to consider the texture, size and density of the floral materials. Advanced floral artistry requires even more attention to the balance point of the arrangement and the attitude of the flowers, which we call the “look of the flower”. Just as people have a distinctive facial expression, flowers have their own unique pose, as each flower has its own sun-facing characteristics.

If you can take the time to attend a floral arranging class and be guided by an experienced instructor, it will benefit you for life. Learning floral art is one of the shortcuts to improving your aesthetic perception, and the final works often reflect the attitude of the creator. As long as everyone is willing to “put in the time”, anyone can become a master florist in their own home.

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Chinese flower arrangement workshop at HK palace museum

The largest floral workshop recently held by WaaFaaCii was held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the results were beyond expectations. I would like to express my gratitude to the two assistants and all the staff whose help made this event a success. I would also like to extend my special thanks to the Hong Kong Palace Museum for inviting us once again to organise a workshop on Chinese floral art, which is a great opportunity to promote Chinese culture and art. Through the enchanting beauty of flowers, we aim to give more people the opportunity to experience and understand the traditional Chinese art of floral arrangement and its history.

In this workshop we focused on the most commonly used flower container in Chinese floral arrangements – vase flowers. Vase flowers are known for their unique shapes and exquisite craftsmanship. In addition, the vase itself symbolises peace and is very suitable for arranging Lunar New Year flowers. From the selection of floral materials to the composition of the arrangement, each step involves the pursuit of aesthetics and the expression of creativity. This creative process brings a sense of fulfilment as one pays attention to the details and combinations of each flower. It is considered one of the fundamental elements in the art of Chinese flower arranging.

We look forward to organising more events like this in the future, giving more people the opportunity to experience the charm of Chinese floral art.