Hope that helps! Peonies Do you have any advice for sending flowers and getting the symbolism right? The wrong flowers could be considered very offensive. We have Chinese instructors. we have a meeting with Chinese business men in South Africa to try and conclude a deal. Chicken soup from a good Chinese restaurant would be a good example. What would be appropriate to give her at this time? If you are given a gift, you should also repay the gift with something of equal value. Especially appropriate around this season for Lunar New Year. Would flowers be appropriate or would something else be better. In Britain, it’s white lilies and in Hungary, roses, lilies and chrysanthemums. – A potted plant represents an incompletely cured illness to a sick person. It is an actual a common courtesy of the world. No green hats. Plum Flowers Gift giving is a very important part of the Japanese culture and communicates respect, friendship and appreciation. Regarding Chinese Gift Giving… these pointers are seriously important! Even the name of Chinese people, hua ren, when spoken in a different tone could mean “flower people”. I’ve only given flowers a handful of times in my entire life. In my country, we have national Teachers day in several days. 6. They’re beautiful, elegant and pure. Pomegranate fruit is tart, but contains lots of seeds. Because flowers have meaning, choosing the right flower for the occasion is important. There’s a section in the piece above with more detail. our editorial process. … My Chinese friend recently lost her young husband after a long cancer battle. From pagodas, temples to hutong courtyards the Chinese building tradition has changed little until recent times. According to the Chinese gift-giving etiquette, gifts should be well-wrapped. Red and pink are always safe celebratory choices, though you may want to stop short of roses, which would send too strong a message for a friend. Giving white roses to an online Chinese lady I will be meeting soon, would that be considered romantic or is that a no-no? How to Host Chinese and Be a Guest in China. © 2014-2020 Red Bean Company LLC, All Rights Reserved. 4. Directionally, yes, but perhaps you would want to consider a small potted kumquat tree to express hopes for prosperity and the growth of your relationship. Three is considered a lucky number. Peonies are often thought of as the national flower of China because they’re so popular, … Never give a man a green hat. Insights into gift giving from The Golden Gift. Traditionally the Plum Blossom, also is one of the floral symbols of China. Finally, in Chinese culture, the Chrysanthemum flower is a symbol of the dead and is often referred to as one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese culture, frequently used as a symbol in artworks. ~Wes, Thanks so much I appreciate your advice . So, what then would be appropriate… potted plants? Though sending flowers is now generally accepted practice, it remains a nice touch to send a potted plant, instead of a bouquet, if the flowers are to be displayed in the home or if you wish to convey an additional sentiment related to growth and life. https://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/how-to-send-flowers-the-chinese-way 20 Famous and wise Chinese proverbs ( 谚语 yanyu), sayings and quotes: Chinese, pinyin, English translation and Standing still - Jewel (lyrics) ... 4 A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers. If flowers, then a live flower, not cut flowers (anything cut symbolizes the end of something). Cut flowers are generally not a good idea, as they will die. Any suggestions? In accordance with the Chinese culture, Lunar New Year is an auspicious festival, a period where the new replaces […] Though specific meanings and traditions may change, flowers remain a part of human connection. “A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives flowers”. Learning proper social manners so that one does the right thing at the right time is not only a reflection of elegance and knowledge, but also of courtesy and respect for others. In Chinese cultures, the family wears white at the funeral and does not wear any jewelry or red clothing, as red is the color of happiness. Our university has Confucius Institue which give us chance to learn Chinese. From reading here I want to get her 7 flowers based on your table. Peach Flowers According to the Cultural China website, the acceptable amount for an acquaintance to give is $60. Mary McMahon . 7. But the sweet pea has shed this symbolism for the most part and become a popular bouquet flower sold from winter to spring. Hi Wes, Yes, there’s the jet lag and the language barrier, but the thing that gets to most first-timers is the culture shock. This applies to funeral flowers as well. We discovered that simple cultural differences in giving flowers can make all the difference. 6. Really happy to hear that, Tracey! The Flowers of the Four Seasons (Chinese: 四季名花; Vietnamese: Tứ quý danh hoa; Japanese: 四季の花) are a group of flowers found in Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese art and culture which represent the four seasons, consisting of the orchid (spring), the lotus (summer), the chrysanthemum (autumn) and the plum blossom (winter). The Chinese expression ‘wearing a green hat’ means that someone’s wife is unfaithful. Lauren Mack is a journalist who covers Chinese culture and history. While fresh cut flowers are appreciated, artificial flowers are also acceptable, particularly if you are traveling a long distance to attend the funeral. Pears - Parting. The word for fan in Chinese is related to the expression for splitting up. It sounds like peonies would be an ideal choice, but I don’t know if I will be able to find them during January. Available under a Creative Commons License . The Culture of Gift Giving. I'm glad that you found my little corner of the internet, Ms. Hung-Haas! In fact, the flower was first grown in China, where it was cultivated from wild blossoms. Thanks for your question, Ed. 剑兰Gladiolus (Jiànlán)：This orchid means “of noble quality”, but it is a homophone for “艰难”(hardship, jiānnán), and “见难”(to see you hard, jiàn nán) in some dialects, so some people may not like this flower as much because of this. Global etiquette on flower giving. I have no clue on customs and this gave me a better guideline. But the gesture has to be clear. Gift giving in China is different from the West in that physical gifts are not usually given for birthdays, weddings or Spring Festival. Most ancient paintings depict flowers of some kind, most often the plum blossom and tree peony. China is a culture of flowers. … On the Chinese 50 cents coins you can see plum flowers on the side. Flowers may be used to decorate the condolence hall, as centerpieces at the funeral or viewing ceremonies, at the grave site or as gifts to the deceased's family. Plum Blossom (梅花). Is cut flowers allowed and if so which kind or should we just steer clear of flowers. The Chinese culture is rich with flower symbolism that permeates both cultural practices and artistic expression. At the end, you’ll also find a few timeless selections that you can use to send more specific messages to a recipient. (I’ve known her since my boys were in preschool and now they are in middle school). Close friends might give $75 or $85, or even $100. Ikebana – The Arrangement of Flowers. In 1903, the Qing (pronounced Ching) dynasty, declared the Peony as China’s national flower. Alternatively, branches of plum flowers (see above) in a decorative vase symbolize courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, which may speak well to your friend. To avoid any problems when giving florals in Chinese culture, follow these simple tips. So, the flowers also reflect this belief. A Chinese coworker just gave birth to a beautiful girl and a few of us would like to send her flowers. Check out this fun video lesson all about gift giving in Chinese culture, and then read on for more information: Gift Giving Dos and Don'ts . Orchids are thought to posses a certain noble quality (Confucius likened them to a virtuous gentleman), making them a perfect choice to gift to a venerable old man. Sharp Objects. Then I am learning Chinese in there. Is your friend traditional? Which kind of flower is better and more appropriate to give depends on the time, place, the person, even the hobbies and the personality. Peony (牡丹). She studied Mandarin Chinese in Beijing and Taipei and has written for Newsweek International, Elle Girl, and the Chicago Tribune. My best friend’s dad passed away 3 days ago and today should have been the 50th wedding anniversary of his parents. In the mid-1700s, the significance increased when the French and English, while visiting Turkey, discovered an entire language of flowers which gave meaning to different flower types. Red Chinese Roses When visiting friends in China, it's common to present your host with a small gift. ~Wes, Hello, please could you help with the choice, I have a Chinese girlfriend, we started dating about 4 months ago but we like each other very much. Do not expect the gift to be opened when received. Gift giving used to be part of Chinese business protocol.Then, our research showed that for a period of time the sentiment shifted to viewing giving business gifts as a form bribery.. More recent evidence points toward a more relaxed attitude in giving an accepting business gifts in mainland China. The lucky bamboo (but in reality does not belong to the family of bamboo and is called called Dracaena sanderiana) is one of the most popular lucky plants with the Chinese, especially during the lunar new year period It is a symbol of good luck and prosperity and you can further enhance the plant by applying Feng Shui 5 elements in it.. Wood Element: The plant itself Overlooking the underlying meaning of the flower can sent the wrong message. This is the biggest and greatest festival for Chinese people. With a history of thousands of years, China's Etiquette has formed and been passed down generation by generation. Is your relationship formal or casual? The clearest practical example of the use of flower symbolism in Japanese culture can be seen in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. You should also avoid giving white flowers, because this color symbolizes tears, death, and mourning. ~Wes. Beyond these national symbols, other flowers have more subtle meanings. I’d go with that. Good luck! From this, the Victorian culture created a meaning for every characteristic of a flower. I had no idea yellow mums were bad . Would like to brighten up the boardroom. She has vast experience in educating her students on how to listen to and speak Chinese, and is trained to teach HSK courses. Required fields are marked *. Always give gifts to the most senior person first. Choose a potted plant, instead of cut flowers, which are traditionally associated with funerals. Wonderful, Sue. Fine looseleaf tea, specialty chocolates or a good red wine, wrapped nicely in red and gold, would show your appreciation. China is the land of thousands of years of wisdom. According to the legend, a rose grew from the blood of a dragon killed by Sant Jordi (Saint George). Sharp objects such as knives or scissors are used for cutting, and thus symbolize the … Do - Mark your calendars. Can you recommend one? The flowers mentioned above are just a fraction of what can be given in Chinese culture. Influences from marketing and other cultures are now beginning to extend gift giving to birthdays. 康乃馨(Kānɡnǎixīn) Carnations: thankfulness for a mother’s everlasting love; 百合花(Bǎihé huā) Lily: symbolizes high quality and elegance; 萱草(Xuān cǎo) Hemerocallis fulva: it means a wish that all troubles will go away. ~Wes, Your email address will not be published. Never give them (or images of them) as gifts to celebrate a happy moment or memory. My friend lost her mother a couple of months ago & I’d like to send her something as a respectful acknowledgment of her loss & to let her know I am thinking of her. China possesses an ancient culture steeped in Confucianism— based largely on respect, relationships, and rituals—the purpose of which is maintaining harmony within one’s family, network of friends, colleagues, and society at large. Anything more complicated and there’s just too much symbolism to consider and potentially get wrong. The translation of the word ikebana can be defined as ‘giving life to flowers’, a beautiful way to describe flower arranging. What would be appropriate? It represents the value of endurance, as Chinese people are always indomitable and constantly... 2. Never give a clock as a gift. Take the potted plant. The same goes for flower gifts. This can be directly handed over to one of the family members (or put into a donation box, if there is one), either on the day of the funeral or one day before. While giving bamboo or other living plants may be OK, choosing flowers is an intricate matter and should be left to the experts. Hi Wes, thanks for all the tips; they’re very useful! Some families give a small piece of candy in a white envelope to each person at the funeral. Red is the key color here, to send wishes for good fortune, wealth and a prosperous future. this is fine just different than what i’m used to with most people telling me the occasion and the color and the budget and then i make it for them. Send plum flowers when you want to recognize inspiring courage or perseverance. 梅花Plum blossom (Méihuā)：This symbolizes elegance and nobility, but can cause an association with “走霉运”（unlucky, zǒu méiyùn）, so to some degree, it’s not suitable to be given to businessmen. 3 Paper Objects Objects made from paper play a … Don’t be surprised if your gift is immediately reciprocated with a gift of equal value as this is the way Chinese people say thank you . ~Wes. Required fields are marked *, How to Write Chinese Characters (Quick Start Guide + Free Mini Course), The Best Chinese Language Learning Apps (2020), The Most Recommended Online Chinese Courses, Chinese Pronunciation: The Complete Guide for Beginner, 9 Tips to Help You Choose Chinese Lessons by Skype, Different Northern and Southern Chinese Customs and Words That You Don’t Know, Awkward Personal Questions Chinese People Ask. Be aware of colours associated with mourning in the country you are visiting. Focus on quality, pick something local, fall back on sweetness and don’t forget presentation. The Culture of Gift Giving. In Japan, lilies, lotus blossoms and camellias are all funeral flowers, while Latvians give … The information was extremely helpful. A common Chinese saying goes \"one slash and its in two parts\" to mean the end of a relationship between people. Flowers such as the sakura and chrysanthemum are national symbols of Japan. Hi! ~Wes. Plum flowers blossom amidst frost and snow, giving them the long-admired qualities of firmness and solidity. Chinese Proverb. By signing up for the Chinese American Family newsletter. Send pomegranate flowers to newly-married friends to express good wishes for fertility and many sons. Gifts and gift giving are steeped in cultural traditions, and as such, some gifts common in the West are taboo in China. Stick with simple, sincere tokens of gratitude like handmade cards, flowers or fruit. In Brazil, it makes a great gift at dinner parties so the Take the potted plant. In Brazil, this is black and purple. Gifts of flowers are common at Chinese funerals in the same way that people give food or flowers in a Western funeral. Unlike how it's practiced in most Western countries, you don't have to peel off the price tag. My doctor (Veterans Hospital) is from China and she recently went above and beyond to push for a test that will likely save my life. Until recent times, cut flowers were generally associated with funerals. Index - Birds - Animals - Flowers and Fruit- Colors - Nature - Assorted Home | Culture | Beliefs | Symbolism | Flowers and Fruit The symbolism of flowers and fruit in Chinese art 花 朵 huā duǒ Plate 87. Send white chrysanthemums to the family of the deceased and a mixture of white and yellow chrysanthemums, if the arrangement is to accompany the casket. I wanna give her flowers with no occasion but I would like to express by that move that I love her. ~Wes. 谢谢, What a great question, Ebrar. Plum flowers are fragrant and beautiful. Never give a man a green hat. I am thinking of sending flowers for his dad but want to give something for his mom too. Giving a clock or watch as a gift is the biggest no-no in Chinese culture. I don’t want to send the wrong type and colours. An article about Chinese gift giving wouldn’t be complete without mentioning green hats. For funerals, white and yellow chrysanthemums are the most appropriate choice for the family, making sure nothing in the arrangement is red. Your turn! Giving and Receiving Gifts. Roses are acceptable but only in white. Even though, the Chinese don't celebrate Christmas, gift giving for this holiday is becoming more common. The custom is for the grooms parents to buy 'grand gifts' for the bride's family to formally accept the marriage. The etiquette of Gift-giving in China may be a little different from western countries. Lilys and chrysanthemums are good choices, particularly in white or yellow. Thank you. Giving somebody a sharp object insinuates that you want to cut off your relationship with them. Send white or yellow flowers. I’d like to send something to let her know we are so sad for her loss and are thinking of her … I don’t know what flowers to send if any … we can’t get peach branches or plum blossoms here … would a potted orchid be respectful? Thanks for stopping by. Hi Nina, thanks for your question and sorry to hear about your friend’s illness. Sweet pea flowers are native to Italy and arrived in Japan at the turn of the 20th century. For Chinese people, courtesy demands reciprocity, which means people who are well-mannered to others will receive kindness and favors. Sounds like observing his love of the Lakers is the overriding consideration. This is saved for a private moment. Lotus Flowers Nothing red, which is only a color for happy occasions. The symbolism of flowers is quite ancient, and many historians have traced flower symbolism through art, poetry, and music. On the lunar day May 5, Irises are hung over doors to repel evil spirits. What you will find below is a simple, failsafe guide to sending flowers for the most important Chinese occasions. Being a mom same way that people give food or flowers in Chinese culture especially in 'nines ' i.e..., i have a Chinese coworker just gave birth to a beautiful girl a! 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Brazil, it makes a great gift at dinner parties so the take potted! The middle Ages and as such, some gifts common in the arrangement is red take care of dragon. ” for the body or soul hear from you in the West are taboo in China are to. I was thinking of sending flowers for his mom too other gift ideas if flowers aren ’ t ever clocks...