Question

Chinese painting, known as “guó huà” in Chinese, is done with no oils but a brush put in colored or black ink on paper or silk. “Landscape painting” and “Bird-and-flower painting’’ are considered the two most popular forms. The first one usually covers “mountains, rivers” and the second one covers “flowers, birds, insects or fishes”. Plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums (梅蘭竹菊) are good symbols to choose.

Plum blossoms are highly praised for their beauty. And also, Chinese people think they are brave and not afraid of the heavy weather in the cold winter when other flowers wither (凋謝). In addition, they are a symbol of good luck for the coming spring.

Orchids are known for their sweet smell. They’re much loved by people because of a clean and beautiful look. In China, the true friendship is often compared to “the orchid friendship”.

Bamboos can also deal with the cold winter. In the ancient tradition, it was a custom to set off fireworks, which were made of bamboos, to say goodbye to the old and bring peace to the new. So bamboos are used as a symbol of peace and safety in Chinese paintings.

Chrysanthemums bloom (開花) in late fall. No matter how strong the wind is. they don’t drop a petal(花瓣). The ancient poets always used them to describe pure people. The famous poet Tao Yuanming in the Eastern Jin Dynasty described his peaceful life through his best-known poem “While picking chrysanthemums’ neath the Eastern fence, my gaze upon the Southern mountain rests.”

To Chinese, plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums not only mean four plants, but also mean the personality and behavior that Chinese admire. That’s why they are known as “Four Gentlemen” in traditional Chinese art and literature.

1.What things does the “l(fā)andscape painting” usually cover?

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2.Do the plum blossoms bloom in fall?

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3.Which is a better way to praise the friendship, drawing a picture of orchids or bamboo?

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4.How did Tao Yuanming describe his peaceful life?

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5.Why are plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums called “Four Gentlemen”?

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Answer 1