Red Azaleas

Updated

Upon waking up, my first thought was of the 杜鵑花 (Azalea).  

The Azalea flower is associated with passion, femininity, womanhood.  The meaning of giving this flower to loved ones is to tell them to take care of themselves.

In Chinese culture, the azalea is also dubbed the "thinking of home bush".

The Red Azalea is also the title of a memoir by Anchee Min where she writes about her life during Communist China's Cultural Revolution, a campaign launched by Mao Zedong in 1966 to rid the Communist  Party of China (CPC) of its rivals, but which ended up destroying much of China's social fabric. On October 1, 1949 Mao had proclaimed the foundation of the People's Republic of China (PRC), a one-party socialist state controlled by the CPC.

Red Azaleas

The Spring Festival is approaching.  Come January 31, the Wood Horse gallops in as the Water Snake slithers away.

The nurseries are filled with beautiful blooms now as the Chinese community starts spring cleaning and adorning their homes with all things auspicious for the Lunar New Year, which lasts for 15 days.

Flowers symbolise rebirth and new growth. The azaleas is regarded as auspicious,  Roses, not so much, because of its thorns, if you believe in Fengshui.

There are a myriad of auspicious symbols for abundant prosperity and longevity.  Looking at these items also symbolises our intention.

But what is more important is to look at our deeds and thoughts.