Thursday, February 21, 2008

"Book of the Chrysanthemum"





This excerpt is from "Discussion of the Fundamentals of Chrysanthemum Painting," by Mai-mai Sze.

There are many different kinds of chrysanthemums and great variety in their colors and forms. Up to the Southern Sung, Yung and Ming periods, only literati and retired scholars treated the subtle fragrance of chrysanthemums as a special subject of painting. They expressed it in ink, not using any color. They excelled in expressing its purity. Others after them were renowned for ink painting of the chrysanthemum. in their works it may be perceived that the chrysanthemum is "defiant of frost and triumphant in autumn," a saying that expresses the essence (ch"i) of its character. In painting the chrysanthemum, this idea must be clearly understood so that the transmittal of it originates in the heart and passes through the wrist to the brush. Color can not convey the idea.


Princess Haiku dreamed of a chrysanthemum touched with frost.

"You are a remembrance of winter's magenta heart, she said
to the rare bloom."

And then she and the flower of clarity, danced
through a night that was extreme beauty; a Zen garden.

Follow the way of the Chrysanthemum......

17 comments:

AscenderRisesAbove said...

the top photo looks knitted - is it. I even put on my reading glasses and I can't tell ;-)

ascenderrisesabove.com/wordpress

Diane Dehler said...

I believe it's real although it does look "knitted." :)

Acquaintance said...

Thanks for great comments Haiku but my kitty passed away... :(

Diane Dehler said...

So sorry, Mavin :( about your kitty.

Professor Montblanc said...

I am glad at heart to see you have returned. I am going to look at your earlier posts now.

please join me this week for chocolate & wine pairings.

Diane Dehler said...

Oh Professor,
So kind of you to take time from your study of chocolate to visit.

Avid Reader said...

I like all of your posts here, eclectic beauty.

Anonymous said...

Dear Princess,
You dreamed you danced with a Chrysanthemum, here's what my Chinese Dream book says about:
Flowers:To dream of beautiful flowers indicates romance. If single it indicates a wedding. Flowers indicate the addition of new relatives in the family. To dream of flowers, on the whole, is a beautiful dream for the future. This includes any kind of a plant, shrub, or blooming flower. They all represent new, beautiful things that are coming into your life.
Chrysanthemum: To dream of this flower indicates a long life.
Dancing:To dream you dance indicates you will handle coming cares lightly. To dance with beautiful new shoes indicates a sea voyage. Dancing is a very good dream.

How's that for sweet dreams?
Constance

R.L. Bourges said...

"...a winter's magenta heart..."

I followed the link from Lori Witzel's blog Chatoyance.
Will definitely pay you a second visit.
(And may you dance in extreme beauty for a long time.)

Unknown said...

This is an exquisite post. I can't believe those chrysanthemums, they're almost surreal in their beauty.
And I love your line "You are the remembrance of winter's magenta heart" - Lovely, just lovely!

Unknown said...

Nice post, I have never seen flowers like this one. As always, coming here a visual delight.

Full moon here. I wonder if there is a flower related to the full moon... :)

Take care!

Bobby D. said...

i am, like a chrysanthemum, defiant of the frost.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. Thank you.

<3

Diane Dehler said...

Constance,
Thanks for the wonderful dream interpretation.

Diane Dehler said...

Have you been running in the snow again without your little boots, Ched? I would be careful of cat pad frost.

Diane Dehler said...

Thank you Vanilla. -One poet to another poet :)

Diane Dehler said...

A- I will look and see if there is a full bloom flower. In general it would seem the moon would love flowers that moon at night like night blooming Jasmine.