花开富贵

Pronunciation: huā kāi fù guì Literal meaning: Flowers bloom, wealth and honour

Origin & Usage

A folk blessing with no single classical source, built on the symbolism of the peony. 花开 means 'flowers open' and 富贵 'wealth and rank'. The link between that word and the peony goes back at least to the Song dynasty: in 《爱莲说》, Zhou Dunyi calls the peony 'the flower of wealth and rank' (牡丹，花之富贵者也), though he says it to contrast the peony with the lotus he prefers. The peony became the standard emblem of prosperity in Chinese painting and decoration, and the four characters appear as a stock phrase in Qing writing, including a poem by the Qianlong Emperor. 'Blossoming flowers, wealth and rank' is now a common title for peony paintings, embroidery and porcelain. At New Year you will find it on paper-cuts, couplets and gift boxes. It is a warm wish for a household, and a safe choice for elders.

Examples

English: "May your year bloom like a peony, full of prosperity and honour."

Chinese: 客厅里挂着一幅牡丹图，上面写着“花开富贵”四个大字。