牡丹

• Pinyin: mǔ dan
• Hanzi breakdown: 牡 = 牛(cattle) + 土(earth) — vigorous/male; 丹 = a circle with inner dot — cinnabar/red

Meaning

Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa); China's most celebrated flower, associated with wealth, nobility, and springtime.

Deeply embedded in Chinese culture as the 'king of flowers' (花王). Associated with prosperity, good fortune, and feminine beauty. Luoyang in Henan Province is famous for its annual peony festivals. Appears extensively in Chinese art, poetry, porcelain, and embroidery.

Examples

1. 洛阳牡丹甲天下，每年春季都会吸引数百万游客专程前来观赏。 Luoyang's peonies are second to none, attracting millions of visitors every spring who come специально to see them.
2. 这幅工笔画以盛开的牡丹为主题，用色艳丽夺目，富贵逼人。 This meticulous gongbi painting features blooming peonies, with brilliant, eye-catching colors that radiate luxury and grandeur.
3. 她的旗袍上绣着精美的牡丹图案，在宴会上格外引人注目。 Her qipao was embroidered with an exquisite peony pattern, making her especially striking at the banquet.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, art, nature, literature

Tone: appreciative/cultural

Do Say

• 牡丹是中国的国花，历来象征着繁荣富贵与吉祥如意。(The peony is China's national flower, traditionally symbolising prosperity, wealth, and good fortune.)
• 她在庭院里种了几株牡丹，每到春天都会开出硕大而绚烂的花朵。(She planted several peonies in the courtyard, which bloom into enormous and splendid flowers every spring.)

Don't Say

• 把牡丹与芍药混为一谈 (牡丹 is the tree peony, a woody shrub, distinct from 芍药 which is herbaceous — they differ in plant structure and cultural associations)

Origin & History

Ancient Chinese name. 牡 = male/vigorous; 丹 = red/cinnabar. Cultivated in China for over 1,500 years; prized in Tang Dynasty imperial gardens.

Cultural Context

Era: Tang Dynasty and beyond

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal