All About Orchid Flowers
By Kathleen Karlsen, MA and Ning Yeh, Ph.D.
Western Orchid Flower Symbolism
The flower symbolism associated with the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Orchids have become a major market throughout the world. Buyers now bid hundreds of dollars on new hybrids or improved ones. Orchids are one of the most popular cut-flowers on the market.
Chinese Flower Symbolism and the Grass Orchid
The grass orchid is admired for its subtle beauty. Its fragrance is intimately enticing but never overpowering. It usually chooses its hermitage in the most spiritual places in nature, where the nountian is embraced by mists or rocks by the roaring streams. To sit with the orchid is a scholarly pursuit with a long tradition. It inspires purity and simplicity.
The grass orchid is a happy spirit; its petals and leaves are ecstatic with joy. The artist should be in the happiest state of mind when painting the grass orchid. It has the simplist form, blessed with ample possibilities for capturing spontaneity of movement. Yet perhaps because of its simplicity, it is one of the most difficult subjects to paint.
For more information on flower symbolism:
Illustrated Flower Symbolism Guide
The Symbolic Meaning of Flowers
Garden Flower Symbolism and Flower Facts
Flower Symbolism and Mary Gardens
©2008 Living Arts Enterprises LLC
Reference:
Yeh, Ning. An Album of Chinese Brush Painting: Eighty Paintings and Ideas. Huntington Beach, CA: Ning Yeh's Art Studio, 1986.
For Chinese brush painting supplies, please visit:
http://www.orientalartsupply.com/?afid=203
©2008 Living Arts Enterprises LLC
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