Flowers have always been a way for people to communicate feelings not just to each other, but to groups as well.
This has been the way it is for centuries.
There’s just something about flowers that are able to say certain things in our hearts and minds that cannot be put into words.
It is no surprise that flowers hold significant symbolism in the world of Chinese metaphysics. And a lot of them have a special place in feng shui symbolism.
In terms of feng shui, flowers:
- Add life and yang energy into a space
- Improve design and decorations to spruce up the house or garden
- Add colors that represent the presence elements that an area might be lacking
- Can represent specific aspects of life that a resident might want to enhance
- etc
It is no wonder that when live plants are not found at home, feng shui enthusiasts often have them painted on porcelain ware, embroidered on clothing and fabric, have them as focal objects on paintings and artwork, and even carved onto precious stones or engraved on wooden furniture.
In fact, feng shui flowers are so generally auspicious that it is often said that when a homeowner cannot decide on what paintings to hang at home, going with flowers is a safe bet.
The next obvious question is… which flower?
Before we move on, it is important to note that we are talking about flowers here.
Not all plants are flowering plants. Not all flowers have good feng shui connotations. And not all flowering plants are used in feng shui for their flowers.
For example, the bamboo is an infamous feng shui plant. But it did not made it’s name from it’s flowers. But from it’s natural characteristics.
Here are some of the most popular feng shui flowers to have at home.
1) Apple blossom
Apple blossoms bring peace and symbolizes feminine beauty.
In some parts of China, it is closely associated with the season of spring.
When displayed with magnolias, they mean blessing a house and it’s inhabitants with wealth and honor.
2) Azalea
The azalea flower is one of breathtaking beauty. Somewhere between a rose and a peony.
It’s mandarin name is du juan (杜鹃).
It is also known in some parts of China as the cuckoo flower.
The story behind this adorable pet name is that the cuckoo sings all night long for lovers. And it ends up with a sore throat in the mornings. The color of azalea is said to resemble the color of the sore throat of the cuckoo.
3) Camellia
Premium top quality camellia flowers can sometime look too impeccable to be real.
They come in several colors, with the most beautiful in pink and purple.
It’s mandarin name is written as shan cha (山茶) which literally means mountain tea. Yet it’s appearance bears no resemblance to tea plants.
This flower is meant to convey perfectly beautiful women. Such much so that in mountain areas where tea is farmed and harvested, young women are often nicknamed mountain tea flowers.
4) Cherry blossoms
The cherry blossom (sakura) represents new beginnings.
This makes them appropriate for newly weds or those recovering from health problems.
Because they have origins tied to Japan, feng shui master from China seldom mention them.
5) Chrysanthemum
Even though, most people naturally think about calm soothing tea when chrysanthemum is mentioned, the chrysanthemum flower signifies longevity rather than afternoon high tea.
They is also a diverse variety of colors, making it possible for someone to create a bouquet containing only chrysanthemum made up of all 5 colors of the 5 elements.
This makes them one of the best flowering plants to have indoors at home.
For example, you can have a bouquet containing chrysanthemums in green, red, yellow, blue and white. Representing wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Together with the orchid, bamboo and plum blossom, they make the 4 gentlemen of flowers.
6) Lotus
The lotus flower is a renown symbols of purity and beauty from within.
This does not necessarily mean that one is ugly on the outside. Often times, we associate an outer ugliness with inner beauty.
But one can be beautiful on the outside and on the inside as well.
The Goddess of Mercy is known to have one as an emblem sometimes.
7) Magnolia
In ancient times, magnolia flowers were so revered that only royalty were allowed to grow them.
Blooming magnolias can be such a beauty to behold.
It’s one of those symbols of beauty that are not limited to the beauty of women, but also on the beauty of accomplishments, achievements and milestones.
8) Narcissus
The narcissus flower is a generally good luck symbol for the coming year, especially in a career sense.
So it is often used as a gift during Chinese New Year.
It also represents bliss for a married couple. And thus, also made appropriate gifts or decor for weddings.
The blend of white and yellow are just lovely to behold.
9) Orchid
Being one of the all-time favorites of gardeners, orchid flowers comes in huge variety of gorgeous colors.
Orchids represent love, perfection, and natural beauty.
When placement is right, it can also enhance fertility luck.
It is one of the best flowers to have on display at home, whether it’s in the front yard as real live plants, or in the home interiors as paintings.
Violet orchids are said to be the most auspicious among them.
10) Peach blossom
While the peach fruit is associated with longevity, peach blossoms bring romance luck.
It is probably the best know symbol to enhance romantic opportunities with the opposite gender.
Peach blossom is commonly used in language to describe someone who is having good luck in relationships, and those who are having their lives destroyed from the many suitors that has a negative impact on their lives.
Paintings of peach blossoms should be removed as soon as the purpose of having is achieved.
11) Peony
The peony flower is probably the most well known as the seductive feng shui flower that don’t just attract romance luck, but attract them in huge quantity too.
Quality-wise is subjective.
This is why parents who are eager for their young daughter to get married often have them at home.
They can also induce passionate and sometimes lustful behavior.
So the suggestion is that they should be removed when it’s purpose has been served.
12) Plum blossom
The plum blossom is one auspicious plant that is very much associated with festivities.
You’d see it everywhere in Chinese homes during CNY.
It is also associated with various positive connotations including good luck, fate, celebrations, success through adversity, etc.
It is one of those flowers that are generally positive and can be placed in homes with harm to feng shui.
13) Yarrow
The yarrow plant, also known as the mugwort, is an aromatic flowering plant that was commonly used in TCM.
They are associated with academic achievements and healing abilities.
Instead of having a few big flowers, they sprout tiny flowers by the hundreds.
So this might be one to avoid of clearing fallen flowers is not your cup of tea.
With petals that can be purple, white, pink, and yellow, etc, they can really be a sight to behold when bloom.
14) Lily
Lilies are best known as a flower of wealth.
But it is also known as a plant that helps to eliminate your troubles in life.
They are of majestic beauty and adds a calming presence to the home interiors.
However, do be mindful as with the right placement, it is also able to call on fertility luck. So you might want to avoid if you don’t want to be expecting.
