Twelve hundred years later, in the spring of 1984, chairwoman Yutung Mei-chen and eighteen of her compatriots established the Women's Garden and Art Club of the Republic of China, and proceeded to gather a collection of fifty ancient paintings which took flower arrangement as their central theme. Under the guidance of National Museum of History research associate Huang Yung-ch'uan, they set out in search of flowers and vases with which to recreate the arrangements represented in the paintings. Later they opened to widespread popular acclaim an exhibition at the museum entitled "The Ancient Chinese Art of Flower Arrangement."
Many flower enthusiasts have since enlisted in the Republic of China Foundation for Floral Arts, which has begun systematic research into and cataloging of this ancient art. Working in cooperation with the Women's Garden and Art Club, they have continued the practice of holding Chinese flower arrangement exhibitions around the time of the "Birthday of the Hundred Flowers" festival, in the hope that they may bring a new spark of life to the ancient tradition of flower arrangement.
This year, the theme of their exhibition centered around "court arrangements" and "tea arrangements." What is meant by "court arrangements" are the type of grand, majestic arrangements which were used in the halls of the ancient imperial palaces, the slightly scaled-down versions which were placed in the central rooms of the homes of wealthy families, and the arrangements which are used as a part of worship ceremonies in Buddhist temples. The "tea arrangements" are those which were used by ancient scholars to correlate with the simple pleasures of taking tea, and are therefore of a much more profound, and unobtrusive decorative character.
Court arrangements are set in large, imposing vases. The flowers are arranged in even numbers and brilliant colors, their sanguine resplendence moving admirers with a powerfully positive expression of good fortune and happiness. The vases employed in tea arrangements are of a much simpler, earthy quality, while the flowers are distributed in odd numbers and light, chastely elegant colors. They bring an air of secluded, contemplative solitude, asking of the appreciator a patient, soul-searching attitude in exploring the depths of their character.
These two types of flower arrangement--the former outgoing and extroverted, the latter self-contemplating and introverted--are highly befitting examples of two major, contrasting Chinese attitudes towards life; specifically, the socially oriented thought of the Confucianists and the reclusively individualistic philosophy of the Taoists, respectively.
Since the ancients typically enjoyed their leisurely tea-taking sessions in pleasantly flowered settings, and placed particular emphasis on the almost ceremonial appreciation of tea, will the rising popularity of tea drinking in modern society be followed by a revived interest in flower arrangement? Huang Yung-ch'uan indicates that the dispositions of the two arts are closely related, tea being seen as "the bright, clear essence of the sun and moon," flowers as "the gathered wisdom of heaven and earth." Tea is a substance of purest simplicity, refreshing the spirit and wakening the mind, a libation of a quietly solitary and self-aware nature. It is due to this character that the tea rooms and studies of the ancients were never without the complimentary company of tea and flowers.
In order to harmonize with the secluded tranquility of the study and the unadorned sincerity of tea, the flowers and vases used in tea arrangements are also of an inornate, earthy simplicity. An incomplex shape is preferred, while unembellished vessels of either bronze, earthenware, porcelain, or jade are all considered appropriate. In keeping with the mood of the vase, the flowers themselves should be of a similar unpretentious quality as regards their color and number. Generally speaking, half-opened blossoms of pastel shades with staggered leaves along the stems serve to leave people with a pleasant, relaxed sensation.
Although tea arrangements emphasize simplicity, this does not mean that creative dexterity becomes unimportant. The renowned flower arranger of ancient times Yuan Hung-tao's statement that "He who attains a natural feel is deep, he who attains studied precision, shallow," well attests to this fact.
Flowers in a tea room may lighten the heart and please the eyes, and the atmospheric change which they produce makes it hard to resist hanging a favorite painting and lighting a stick of incense, following in the "four arts" of the ancient scholars (i.e., arrangement of flowers, placement of paintings, burning of incense, and enjoyment of tea). Experts agree that the most suitable paintings for accompanying tea arrangements are the scholars' favored ink and water paintings, as the colors are not apt to be overly bright. Scrolls are the best form of mounting, though screens or frames are acceptable as well.
As to the recently revived popularity of incense-burning in the study, although the ancients were also fond of "incense appreciation," it is actually quite difficult to strike an appropriate balance between the aromas of both flowers and incense. Perhaps it is best to take stock of the saying "It is not fit to burn incense in the presence of flowers, just as it is not fit to place nuts in a cup of tea."
With the recent passing of Tomb-Sweeping Day, the ceaseless falling of the spring rains, and our constant overload of work, to spend a leisurely hour in the study, sipping tea and enjoying the flowers--who's to say that we don't deserve it?
[Picture Caption]
The Emperor Kang Hsi is accompanied by a white porcelain vase as he ruminates in his study. (photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan)
While sipping a cup of green tea, a gentle breeze blowing through the pine boughs and lilies, the air is filled with spring.
After the opening of the Women's Garden and Art Club's ancient Chinese flower arrangement exhibition, diplomats from around the world came to have a look. Second from left is the club's director, Yu Tung Mei-chen. (photo by Li Pei-hui)
A tea arrangement: "Garden, Pond, and Pity" (photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan)
Another tea arrangement: "The Satisfying Times of Spring Wind" (photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan)
The ingenious styling of this vase has raised many a curious eyebrow. (photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan)
Arranging flowers after a pleasant cup of tea is National Museum of History research associate Huang Yung-ch'uan's greatest form of enjoyment.
Flowers and tea are a perfect match in the study.
While sipping a cup of green tea, a gentle breeze blowing through the pine boughs and lilies, the air is filled with spring.
After the opening of the Women's Garden and Art Club's ancient Chinese flower arrangement exhibition, diplomats from around the world came to have a look. Second from left is the club's director, Yu Tung Mei-chen. （photo by Li Pei-hui）
A tea arrangement: "Garden, Pond, and Pity" （photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan）
Another tea arrangement: "The Satisfying Times of Spring Wind" （photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan）
The ingenious styling of this vase has raised many a curious eyebrow. （photo courtesy of Huang Yung-ch'uan）
Arranging flowers after a pleasant cup of tea is National Museum of History research associate Huang Yung-ch'uan's greatest form of enjoyment.
Flowers and tea are a perfect match in the study.
