Guilin has always been a city renowned for its "first under heaven" scenery, and its landscapes are so captivating that visitors never want to leave. The city flower of Guilin is another stunning sight. So, what is the city flower of Guilin? What are its characteristics and beauty? Next, let's explore the city flower of Guilin together.
I: Overview of the City Flower
The city flower of Guilin is the Osmanthus, a species in the Oleaceae family, and one of China's famous traditional flowers. The Osmanthus grows in southern regions, with the Guilin Osmanthus being the most famous. It has a short blooming period but is very fragrant and beautiful.
II: The History of the Osmanthus
The Osmanthus has a long history in China. As early as the Tang Dynasty, the literary work "The Collection of Tao Yuanming" mentioned the "fragrance of osmanthus," and the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi also wrote a verse about it in "Song of an Old Grassland on the Plain." It can be said that the Osmanthus is not only a symbol of Guilin but also a symbol of Chinese culture.
III: Varieties of the Osmanthus
There are two main varieties of Osmanthus: the Golden Osmanthus and the Silver Osmanthus. The Golden Osmanthus has smaller, yellow flowers, while the Silver Osmanthus has larger, white flowers. Different varieties also have different levels of fragrance.
IV: The Season of the Osmanthus
The Osmanthus blooms from late October to early November each year, with a flowering period of about 10 days. During this time, tourists can visit various scenic spots in Guilin to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Osmanthus.
V: The Fragrance of the Osmanthus
The Osmanthus has a unique and rich fragrance that is very popular. Every October and November, the entire city of Guilin is filled with the rich scent of Osmanthus, making people feel very comfortable and pleasant.
VI: The Uses of the Osmanthus
The Osmanthus is not only a beautiful sight but also a valuable medicinal herb and seasoning. It can be used to make delicacies like osmanthus sugar, osmanthus wine, and osmanthus cakes, as well as daily necessities like soap and perfume.
VII: Osmanthus and the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Osmanthus is closely related to the Mid-Autumn Festival. The traditional theme of the Mid-Autumn Festival is "admiring the moon." Since the Osmanthus blooms during this time, it is considered one of the symbols of the festival.
VIII: Osmanthus and Poetry
The Osmanthus holds a very important place in Chinese culture, and many scholars and poets have left poems about it. For example, in Li Bai's "Bring in the Wine" from the Tang Dynasty, there is a line "Come, Osmanthus, sit with me." There is also a famous poem by Xin Qiji from the Song Dynasty: "The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky; On the river maples, fishing fires flicker, facing my sleepless sorrow. Outside Gusu city, Hanshan Temple, at midnight the bell's sound reaches the passenger boat."
IX: Osmanthus Gardens
There are many famous Osmanthus gardens in Guilin City, such as Qixing Park, Dongxing Park, and Futian Villa. These parks hold Osmanthus viewing activities during the blooming season, attracting large numbers of tourists to come and admire the flowers.
X: The Care of the Osmanthus
Although the Osmanthus is beautiful, it also requires certain care, such as fertilizing, watering, and pruning. The most crucial part is pruning, as timely pruning can help the Osmanthus maintain a good shape and fragrance.
XI: The Current Status of the Osmanthus
In 1994, Guilin City designated the Osmanthus as its city flower, aiming to protect and promote this representative of traditional culture. Today, the Osmanthus has become a cultural card for Guilin City, attracting more and more tourists to come and appreciate it.
XII: The Inheritance of the Osmanthus
The inheritance of the Osmanthus is crucial for the development of Guilin City. Guilin City continuously invests in building related facilities such as Osmanthus gardens and Osmanthus halls to protect and promote this traditional culture.
XIII: The Significance of Guilin's City Flower
The city flower of Guilin is not just a flower, but also a cultural symbol. It represents the Guilin people's love for natural beauty and cultural traditions, and it is a bright cultural card for the city.
XIV: The Beauty of the Osmanthus
Although the Osmanthus has a short blooming period, its subtle fragrance and gorgeous flowers remain in people's hearts. The beauty of the Osmanthus is not only seen by the naked eye but also represents an eternal cultural connotation.
XV:
The city flower of Guilin, the Osmanthus, is a very beautiful and valuable flower. Its fragrance, varieties, and cultural significance are unforgettable. It is hoped that in the future, Guilin City will continue to protect and promote this traditional culture, allowing more people to understand and love the city flower of Guilin—the Osmanthus.