The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) was a period in Chinese history characterized by political clarity and cultural prosperity, which many people yearn for. A survey once found that many individuals wished to travel back in time to live during the Song Dynasty. Why is that? This question inevitably arises in our minds.
The Tang Dynasty was splendid, with its luxurious attire and vibrant atmosphere, which also exuded a strong appeal. Overall, however, people seem to prefer the Song Dynasty's era of peace and prosperity, with its bustling markets, abundant resources, and elegant yet tranquil lifestyle. The elegant and leisurely life during that period, characterized by three thousand beauties and eight hundred charming women, is indeed enticing.
However, contradictions often exist in worldly affairs. Despite the centralized power and emphasis on culture over military in the Song Dynasty, the political and military weaknesses were evident. Although Emperor Taizu declared himself emperor, the sixteen prefectures of Yan Yun in the northeast remained under foreign control. The dynasty could only establish its capital in Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng), lacking strategic defenses in northern China. Despite these challenges, the market economy thrived, and the urban living standards were remarkably high. Poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting flourished. In such a peaceful and prosperous era, all aspects of refined living we can imagine seemed to have transpired during the Song Dynasty.
The Song people embraced the "Four Yā," namely, burning incense, hanging paintings, serving tea, and arranging flowers. At that time, Neo-Confucianism was prevalent, advocating for the harmony between man and nature, known as the unity of heaven and man. This philosophical ideology promoted a free, optimistic, and non-competitive way of life, which translated into a culture of simplicity, elegance, and harmony in people's lives. Neo-Confucianism had a profound influence on the society of that time.
Flower arrangement art in China has a long history, dating back to before the Sui and Tang Dynasties. With the introduction of Buddhism during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the practice of offering flowers before Buddha became established, serving as a devout religious expression. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the art of flower arrangement gained imperial attention and began to develop in the palace, later followed by the literati class, leading to its popularization. Even commoners eagerly learned flower arrangement, and theoretical foundations gradually emerged, sustaining continuous development.
In summary, palace flower arrangements favored luxury, with extravagant displays of flowers like peonies, while the literati class preferred a serene and elegant style, often using plum blossoms. Common people also used flowers to express their emotions, such as presenting flowers as farewells or hanging them on doorways and wearing them in their hair or clothing, practices that were once widespread but are now unimaginable.
Different flowers in the Song Dynasty symbolized different virtues of literati. Peonies represented wealth and auspiciousness, plum blossoms represented resilience, lotuses represented purity, and orchids represented elegance and nobility, each conveying a different cultural sentiment!
Flower arrangements in the Song Dynasty mainly included basket arrangements, vase arrangements, and pot arrangements, with flower vessels made of porcelain, bamboo, and baskets. The choice of flower vessels depended on the surrounding environment or the characteristics of the flowers, offering a wide range of options.
What kind of porcelain was used as flower vessels for the elegant Song Dynasty flower arrangements? Many of the famous kilns in celadon should be very suitable. Let me briefly explain as follows:
1. Ru Kiln: Only used in the royal court, primarily for literati purposes. However, I believe the vase-shaped bottles or round bottles with plum blossoms inserted would be very elegant.
2. Guan Kiln: Any flower arrangement would look good, such as the elegant Cong-style vase. However, usually only up to three branches could be inserted, making it a scenic addition to the desk.
3. Ding Kiln: Its body is relatively thin, making it suitable for displaying delicate and small flowers.
4. Ge Kiln: More commonly seen in the Ming Dynasty, less so in the Song Dynasty, making it an uncommon choice for flower vessels.
5. Jun Kiln: Mostly used for flowerpots, not for flower arrangements.
The remaining Yaozhou and Cizhou kilns have ancient and elegant colors, which I think are also very suitable for flower arrangements.
The Song Dynasty is hailed as the dawn of modern culture. With political clarity and people's material wealth, they sought spiritual richness. Flower arrangement activities were not only a good spiritual sustenance but also, under theoretical and practical guidance, converged into a unique culture admired by later generations. Unfortunately, when the Mongols ruled the Central Plains, flower arrangement art was not valued, hindering its development. Conversely, Japan has absorbed the essence of Chinese flower arrangement art for over 500 years, developing ikebana (such as the Ikenobo, Ohara, and Sogetsu schools), admired by the world! Here, I sincerely hope that everyone can promote the traditional Chinese flower arrangement art, enhance the country's cultural influence, and realize this vision.
Do you agree?
Author
Mr. Robert T Li graduated from the Economics Department of the University of Hong Kong and has served as the Head of Liability Insurance in the Greater China region for an international insurance company. He has a passion for traditional Chinese culture and enjoys collecting art. He is actively involved in promoting awareness of traditional Chinese culture, music, and art among young people. He can be contacted at litaichai@gmail.com.
Uploaded on 2024.4.13