The precious peony: traditional floral symbol of China, where it is called 牡丹 (mǔ dān)

            Copyright: © 2009 Melissa Goodman. All Rights Reserved.

The peony is among the longest-used flowers in ornamental culture and is one of the smallest living creature national emblems in China. Along with the plum blossom, it is a traditional floral symbol of China, where it is called 牡丹 (mǔ dān). It is also known as 富贵花 (fuguihua) "flower of riches and honour", and is used symbolically in Chinese art. In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower. 

Mischievous nymphs were said to hide in the petals of the Peony thus causing this magnificent flower to be given the meaning of Shame or Bashfulness in the Language of Flowers. It was named after Pæon, a physician to the gods, who obtained the plant on Mount Olympus from the mother of Apollo. Once planted the Peony likes to be left alone and punishes those who try to move it by not flowering again for several years. Once established, however, it produces splendid blooms each year for decades

Taken on: April 29, 2009

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Camera: Canon PowerShot G9, f/4.5, 1/320 sec, 36.8mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon PowerShot G9
Aperture:	f/4.5
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length:	36.8mm
ISO:	80
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	picnik.com
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