We use flowers as messengers, to say something we might have trouble saying __1__ (direct) ourselves. Over time flowers have come to symbolize the most powerful human experiences: beauty, love, hope, and rebirth. Sweet flowers alone can say __2__ one fears expressing. We've listed some of the most famous flowers __3__ have a special significance.
In Mao Zedong's poem Ode to the Plum Blossom (《咏梅》), the plum blossom was used __4__ (praise) great soldiers who sacrificed their lives for a better life for Chinese people.
__5__ great Chinese poet Li Bai from the Tang Dynasty once compared Yang Yuhuan's beautiful face to blooming peonies (牡丹). Flowering in May, peonies' large petals and strong colors are linked to prosperity and __6__ (rich) in traditional Chinese culture.
The orchid (兰花) is well known for its delicate smell. Beautiful articles and poems __7__ (call) “lanzhang” by Chinese people in ancient times.
Roses, of course, have the __8__ (colorful) meaning among all the flowers. Red roses, to this day, mean “I love you.” A red rose, rather than yellow roses, __9__ (act) as the traditional romantic gift given to your love on Valentine's Day. __10__ (send) yellow roses can be risky, as they represent either friendship or envy.
