The Flower of the Seventh Lunar Month

There are 2 flowers associated with this month.

The first is the Fragrant Plantain Lily, which blossoms in this month. It is associated with Madam Li. Madam Li was the younger sister of composer Li Yan Nian, and the most beloved concubine of Han Wu Di, a King of the Han Dynasty. Madam Li likes to wear this flower in her hair. Paintings of the era also depicted her carrying this flower.

The second flower is the Garden Balsam. Its red coloured juice had been used by Chinese women to paint their nails from as far back as the Song Dynasty. Thus, it carries a meaning of "vanity of women". This flower is associated with Shi Chong of the Jing Dynasty. His whole family was executed as he refused to offer Lu Zhu, his beloved concubine, to his King. The love of a woman, over that of his family. Thus his association with the Garden Balsam.