Chinese Flower Art

About Chinese Floral Art

The Chinese people have a reverence for nature and an incredibly vast and profound cultural heritage that spans thousands of years. This cultural background has also nurtured the profound artistic qualities of Chinese art, such as moderation, peace, understatement, simplicity, grandeur, elegance, grace and harmony. Chinese-style flower arrangement, known as “Zhongshi Cha Hua”, is based on the Chinese people’s special taste for the beauty of flowers and plants. In Chinese culture, nature and daily life are inseparable, and flower arrangement brings the different seasons of nature into daily life, allowing people to experience the changes of the four seasons and enrich their lives.

The ancient Chinese people, over three thousand years ago, had already integrated their philosophical and cultural achievements with the beauty of flowers. They incorporated the philosophy of the universe from the Book of Changes (Yijing) and the traditional twenty-four solar terms that represent the changing cycles of the four seasons. Each solar term corresponds to specific flowers that bloom and fade in harmony with the seasons.

As one of the traditional Chinese arts, flower arrangement has a long history of fifteen hundred years. Its origin is closely related to the offering of flowers in Buddhism. In the beginning, people actively studied flower arrangement to make floral offerings to the Buddha. It is also closely associated with the art of tea. The Tang and Song dynasties were the golden age of Chinese flower arranging. Despite disruptions caused by wars, the art form experienced a revival during the Ming Dynasty, when the country was relatively prosperous.

Vase flowers originated in the Southern Qi period, and during the Ming Dynasty, vase flowers were the main form of flower arrangement, symbolising "peace and happiness". The works are solemn and graceful, with smooth branches, presenting an elegant and beautiful form. It is the most representative flower vessel in China.

Plate flowers originated in the Han Dynasty two thousand years ago, using a ceramic bowl to symbolise the concept of ponds or lakes, placing dead trees, stones or ornaments in the bowl, showing the infinite vitality of nature and creating a lively work.

Vat flowers originated in the Tang Dynasty and became more popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The cylindrical shape is short and stout, with a large belly that can accommodate various flower materials. The upright flower material can express the beauty of the locust tree and the contrast of the branches. It is most suitable for banquets and exhibition halls.

Bowl flowers originated in the former Shu period and became more popular during the Song and Ming dynasties. Bowl flowers emphasise philosophy and order, focusing on ethics and depicting the natural landscape of the universe. The bowl-shaped vessel is best styled in the Chinese style, with a wide mouth and pointed bottom, elegant and luxurious, and most suitable for everyday use.

Bamboo tube flowers originate from the Five Dynasties period of Li Yu and were popular during the Northern Song Dynasty. This flower vessel is most suitable for literati and elegant scholars. The tube shape is short and graceful, suitable for using beautiful and meandering flower branches and elegant flower colours, as well as simple flower materials.

Basket flowers developed from the Buddhist flower vessels used for offering flowers in the Tang Dynasty. They are tall, sparse and elegant, showing a refined and elegant beauty, and are easy to carry and transport. It has the meaning of a bountiful harvest and is often used for festive or congratulatory gifts.

Introduction to the Six Major Chinese Flower Utensils

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Vase flowers

originated in the Southern Qi period, and during the Ming Dynasty, vase flowers were the main form of flower arrangement, symbolising “peace and happiness”. The works are solemn and graceful, with smooth branches, presenting an elegant and beautiful form. It is the most representative flower vessel in China.

Plate flowers

originated in the Han Dynasty two thousand years ago, using a ceramic bowl to symbolise the concept of ponds or lakes, placing dead trees, stones or ornaments in the bowl, showing the infinite vitality of nature and creating a lively work.

Vat flowers

originated in the Tang Dynasty and became more popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The cylindrical shape is short and stout, with a large belly that can accommodate various flower materials. The upright flower material can express the beauty of the locust tree and the contrast of the branches. It is most suitable for banquets and exhibition halls.

Bowl flowers

originated in the former Shu period and became more popular during the Song and Ming dynasties. Bowl flowers emphasise philosophy and order, focusing on ethics and depicting the natural landscape of the universe. The bowl-shaped vessel is best styled in the Chinese style, with a wide mouth and pointed bottom, elegant and luxurious, and most suitable for everyday use.

Bamboo tube flowers

originate from the Five Dynasties period of Li Yu and were popular during the Northern Song Dynasty. This flower vessel is most suitable for literati and elegant scholars. The tube shape is short and graceful, suitable for using beautiful and meandering flower branches and elegant flower colours, as well as simple flower materials.

Basket flowers

developed from the Buddhist flower vessels used for offering flowers in the Tang Dynasty. They are tall, sparse and elegant, showing a refined and elegant beauty, and are easy to carry and transport. It has the meaning of a bountiful harvest and is often used for festive or congratulatory gifts.