The Flower of the Fourth Lunar Month

Two Flowers are associated with this month. They are Rose and Peony.

The Rose was described as a flower that gives off an intoxicating fragrant that was not dissimilar to the fragrant of wine. They come in a variety of colours, and a record from the Song Dynasty actually indicate that black roses were available form the Bai Ma Temple in Chang An.

The historical figure associated with the rose is concubine Zhang Li Hua. She was the most beloved concubine of Emperor Chen Hou Zhu of the North and South Dynasties. The legend goes that the Emperor refuse to part with her and let her sit on his lap during his daily address of the court. When the dynasty was over thrown, the emperor brought Zhang to hide with him in a deep well in the palace. As they were lowered into the well, Zhang's tears fell onto the well wall and coloured it red. They were eventually found and Zhang was executed.

The Peony was also known as the King of Flowers. It symbolises wealth and prosperity.

The historical figure associated to the peony is the poet Li Bai. This is because he was a lover of peony and he wrote some famous poems in its praise during his lifetime.