Among the refined leisure pursuits of the Ming Dynasty men of letters was the practice of sitting in a quiet garden and spontaneously composing flower arrangements while reciting poetry. This composition consists of plantain leaves spread upon the ground, and a vase of flowers and a lute mounted atop a stone. The graceful, refined branch structure and vivid colors make a feast for both the mind and the eye, in a style which recalls the study room flower arrangements of earlier times.
Although the practice of "tea and flowers" had gradually gained popularity during the Ming Dynasty, this New Year's offertory flower arrangement contains a bronze goblet used in the "wine and flowers" practice of an earlier era. The effect is to heighten the bracing chill of deep winter, the season when this arrangement was displayed. Differing from the vase flower compositions, the literati arrangements evinced a casual disregard for formal structure and emphasized the linear flow of branch and twig at the expense of color. Lofty nobility and a disdain for the trite concerns of the world were common philosophical themes.
Literati flower compositions are noted for their simplicity and their naturalness. The flowers in this piece are loosely arrayed, with the strong, powerful pine branch standing in sharp contrast to the camellia. Below, the lily bulb and persimmon express their hope for long life and happiness, a common theme of popular flower arrangements.
[preface] [
styles] [religious]
[palace]
[literati]
[folk] [9 pricniples]
[significance] [preveration]
[vessels] [appreciatin]
[Pavilion of Taiwan, R.O.c] [Cultures] [Council For Cultural Affairs]
