论中国花卉文化的繁荣状况、发展进程、历史背景和民族特色

On Prosperous Situation,Development Process,Historical Background and National Characteristics of Chinese Flower Culture

我国是一个花卉文化极其繁荣灿烂的国度,无论是园艺种植、花事观赏,还是文学、艺术创作都极为丰富繁盛。我国花卉文化的历史大致可以分为三个阶段,即先秦的始发期、秦汉至盛唐的渐盛期和中唐以来的繁盛期。从审美认识水平着眼,我们将这三个阶段分别称为"物质实用时代"、"花色审美时代"和"文化象征时代",三个阶段间呈不断累积演进之势。我国花卉文化的繁荣发展,有着我国自然条件、社会文化广泛的历史基础。我国地大物博,植物资源丰富,给花卉园艺的发展提供了极为优越的自然条件。我国发达的农耕文明对花卉园艺生产促进良多。我国传统士大夫阶层构成了花卉文化创造的主力,无论是外延的拓展,还是内涵的提升,都主要得力于他们的奉献,也主要体现他们的生活方式、生活情趣和文化理想。我国古代"天人合一"、物我一体、崇尚自然的文化观念对花卉观赏的影响从来都是正面、积极的,历史上从未出现其他民族那种基于特定教义对花卉使用的严格限制,西方中世纪普遍禁止那样的现象。这些因素共同作用,有力地促进了我国花卉文化的繁荣发展,同时也决定了我国花卉文化的民族风格。我国观赏花卉以我国原产的木本和经济应用品种为主,形成了独特的名花、名树体系。我国人民比较重视自然生长、园艺种植的植物生姿,特别欣赏植物的生机天趣,西方社会那种花环、花冠等采结献赠为礼的方式在我国并不多见。在花卉象征上,我国士大夫阶层最终形成了"比德"、"写意"传统,即通过花卉形象寄托人的道德品格和高雅情趣,体现了我国崇尚伦理道德的文化精神,与西方花卉象征多具宗教意义颇有异致。我国花卉象征中的吉祥寓意,体现着我国民众独特的幸福观,有着鲜明的民间、民俗色彩,可以说是中国特色的系统"花语"。

China is a country with tremendously splendid culture of flowers, whether in the gardening plantation, appreciation during the blooming seasons, or in literature and other artistic creation. Chinese flower culture can be divided into three stages, which are initial period of Pre-Qin Dynasty; the prosperous period of growth during Qin-Han Period till flourishing Tang Dynasty; and the thriving period since Mid-Tang Dynasty. Judging from the aesthetic level, the period of Pre-Qin Dynasty is a stage oriented toward practical value, while Qin-Han Period till flourishing Tang Dynasty paid close attention to the pattern and color of flowers which a- roused people＇s enthusiasm of appreciation. After Mid-Tang Dynasty, especially since Song Dynasty, there is growing emphasis on the verve and specific characters of flowers, serving as the medium of human morality and interest. From this perspective, the three stages were known as ＂practical value period＂, ＂pattern and color appreciation period＂ and ＂cultural symbol period＂. Chinese culture of flowers prosperously developed, it pos- sesses the historical foundation of natural conditions and extensive social culture. China owns vast territory and abundant resources, including opulent plantation resources, which provide extremely favorable natural conditions for the development of gardening. Chinese developed culture of agriculture and farming greatly pro- mote the horticultural production of flowers. Besides, traditional literati class in the Chinese society constitutes the main force in the creation of flowers culture, which embodied both in the extension and connotation. It was also reflected in their life style, life interest and cultural ideals. Those ideals like attention to ＂the unity of heaven and human＂, ＂the integration of things and human＂, and ＂the worship of nature＂ have always been positive and optimistic, never been rigidly restricted by those special religious doctrines as it did in the western countries, especially the wide range restraint appeared during the Middle Ages in Europe. These factors jointly promoted the prosperous development of flower culture in China and determined the national characteristics in this scope. Our ornamental flowers were mainly consisted of Chinese local woody plants and economic species, which developed into the special system of famous flowers and trees. Chinese people paid more attention to the natural growth and posture of the gardening plants, especially enjoy the vitality and beauty. The tradition of weaving garland and wreath in worship is not ti class help to form the tradition of ＂ figural common in China. On the symbol of flower culture, Chinese litera- virtue＂ and ＂liberal style＂, both emphasize human morality and elegant interest, which symbolize our cultural spirit of respecting morality. It is rather different from most west- ern flowers with more religious meaning. Chinese flowers possess auspicious meanings that symbolize the unique view of happiness with stark folk colour, which could be regarded as systematic ＂Language of Flowers＂ with the national characteristics.