Prunus mume is a Chinese tree species classified in the Armeniaca section of the genus Prunus subgenus Prunus. Its common names include Chinese plum,[2][3][4] Japanese plum,[5] and Japanese apricot. The flower, long a beloved subject in the traditional painting and poetry of East Asia and Vietnam, is usually called plum blossom.[6] This distinct tree species is related to both the plum and apricot trees.[7] Although generally referred to as a plum in English, it is more closely related to the apricot.[8]In East Asian cuisine (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) and Vietnamese cuisine, the fruit of the tree is used in juices, as a flavouring for alcohol, as a pickle and in sauces. It is also used in traditional medicine.
The flower is known as the meihua (梅花) in Chinese, which came to be translated as "plum blossom"[16] or sometimes as "flowering plum".[17] The term "winter plum" may be used too, specifically with regard to the depiction of the flower with its early blooming in Chinese painting.
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In Korea, both the flowers and the fruits are used to make tea. Maehwa-cha (매화차, 梅花茶; "plum blossom tea") is made by infusing the flowers in hot water. Maesil-cha (매실차, 梅實茶; "plum tea") is made by mixing water with maesil-cheong (plum syrup) and is served either hot or cold. In Japan, similar drink made from green plums, tastes sweet and tangy, is considered a cold, refreshing drink and is often enjoyed in the summer.
In Korea, hwajeon (화전, 花煎; "flower pancake") can be made with plum blossoms. Called maehwa-jeon (매화전, 梅花煎; "plum blossom pancake"), the pancake dish is usually sweet, with honey as an ingredient.
The plum blossom, which is known as the meihua (梅花), is one of the most beloved flowers in China and has been frequently depicted in Chinese art and poetry for centuries.[17] The plum blossom is seen as a symbol of winter and a harbinger of spring.[17] The blossoms are so beloved because they are viewed as blooming most vibrantly amidst the winter snow, exuding an ethereal elegance,[17][29] while their fragrance is noticed to still subtly pervade the air at even the coldest times of the year.[29][30] Therefore, the plum blossom came to symbolize perseverance and hope, as well as beauty, purity, and the transitoriness of life.[17] In Confucianism, the plum blossom stands for the principles and values of virtue.[31] More recently, it has also been used as a metaphor to symbolize revolutionary struggle since the turn of the 20th century.[32]
Because it blossoms in the cold winter, the plum blossom is regarded as one of the "Three Friends of Winter", along with pine, and bamboo.[16][33] The plum blossom is also regarded as one of the "Four Gentlemen" of flowers in Chinese art together with the orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo.[33] It is one of the "Flowers of the Four Seasons", which consist of the orchid (spring), the lotus (summer), the chrysanthemum (autumn) and the plum blossom (winter).[33] These groupings are seen repeatedly in the Chinese aesthetic of art, painting, literature, and garden design.[34]
The Moy Yat lineage of Wing Chun kung fu uses a red plum flower blossom as its symbol. The plum blossoms are featured on one of the four flowers that appear on mahjong tile sets, where mei (梅) is usually simply translated as "plum" in English.[53]
It has been suggested that the Japanese practice of cherry blossom viewing, Hanami, may have originated from a Chinese custom of poetry and wine under plum blossom trees that was replicated by Japanese elites. This is supported by the fact that Hanami started in urban areas rather than rural areas, and that classic Japanese poetry does not associate cherry blossoms with merriness like Hanami. However, the debate is charged with nationalist currents.[54]
The National Flower of the Republic of China (Taiwan) was officially designated as the plum blossom (Prunus Mei; Chinese: 梅花) by the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China on July 21, 1964.[55] The plum blossom is symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity during the harsh winter.[56][57] The triple grouping of stamens (three stamens per petal) on the national emblem represents Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People, while the five petals symbolize the five branches of the government.[55][57] It also serves as the logo of China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan (the Republic of China).[58] The flower is featured on some New Taiwan dollar coins.[59]
In Korea, the plum blossom is a symbol for spring.[60] It is a popular flower motif, amongst other flowers, for Korean embroidery.[61] Maebyong are plum vases derived from the Chinese meiping and are traditionally used to hold branches of plum blossoms in Korea.[62][63]
In Vietnam, due to the beauty of the tree and its flowers, the word mai is used to name girls. The largest hospital in Hanoi is named Bạch Mai (white plum blossom),[67] another hospital in Hanoi is named Mai Hương ("the scent of plum"), situated in Hồng Mai (pink plum blossom) street.[68] Hoàng Mai (yellow plum blossom) is the name of a district in Hanoi. Bạch Mai is also a long and old street in Hanoi. All these places are located in the south part of Hanoi, where, in the past, many P. mume trees were grown.
Use What3Words to find the cherry blossom trees within the park (see locations below). What3words is a free app that can be downloaded to your smartphone from the app store or you can visit their website from your browser. 2ff7e9595c
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