• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2019

In this study, 27 representative plants with symbolism and appreciation were extracted from 68 plants collected in Li Yu (1611-1680)'s monograph named 'Xianqingouji Zhongzhibu'. The interpretations were as follows. First, symbolism of plants could be summarized as 1) Li Yu thought that Paeonia suffruticosa was called 'the king of flowers', not only because of its beauty, but also because of its upright character. The only flower that could compete against Paeonia suffruticosa was Paeonia lactiflora Pall.. This flower was called 'the flower prime minister' by common people. But Li Yu thought that Paeonia lactiflora Pall. should also be included in the feudal princes. 2) Prunus persica and Camellia japonica were compared to 'beautiful cheeks', and Malus spectabilis (Ait.)Borkh, Jasminum sambac, Rosa multiflora var. platyphylla, Narcissus tazetta, Papaver rhoeas were compared to 'beautiful women', expressing his love for flowers. 3) Li Yu called Nelumbo nucifera a 'gentleman in flowers' and Buxus sinica Rehd. et Wils. Cheng a 'gentleman in trees'. On the contrary, Daphne odora was compared to 'villain in flowers'. 4) Ilex integra was compared to a hermit, and Campsis grandiflora was compared to an immortal. Second, appreciation of plants could be organized by 1) Appreciation of plants required assistive tools. When going to suburb to enjoy the scenery, tents needed to be prepared. Paper screens should be used to appreciate Prunus mume in the courtyard so as to gain more elegant. Li Yu also proposed that ornamental objects should be properly placed near Orchidaceae so as to gain more elegant. 2）Li Yu took Lagerstroemia indica and Prunus armeniaca L. as examples to interpret that plants were as perceptive as animals and human beings. 3) Li Yu took Salix pierotii and Albizia julibrissin as examples to interpret that people should communicate with plants through five senses to produce resonance. And took Nelumbo nucifera and Rosa rugosa to emphasize the ornamental and practical value of plants. 4) Plants were metaphored sth. similar to them. An interesting example was Celosia cristata L. which was more like an auspicious cloud in the sky than the crest on the cock's head. To sum up, Li Yu personified plants and thought that people should communicate with plants by multi-sensory world when appreciating plants. Through this, it fully showed his love for plants. Meanwhile, Li Yu's symbolism and appreciation of plants, to some extent, reflected the elegant life of literati in the early Qing Dynasty.