Top 20 Chinese Flower Names and Their Meanings for Kids Learning Chinese Culture

More than a thousand years ago, the famous Chinese poet Li Bai wrote verses about flowers blooming under the moonlight. His words were not only about petals and colors. They spoke about hope, honor, and the beauty of life. In Chinese history, flowers have never been just a decoration. They are living symbols of strength, friendship, and love.

Today, parents and students who want to learn about Chinese culture often start with food, festivals, or characters. But there is another path: learning Chinese flower names. Each Chinese flower comes with a story. Some flowers mean prosperity. Some flowers mean purity. Some are linked to poems that children still study in school.

Learning Chinese flower names is a simple but powerful way to build vocabulary and understand culture at the same time. By knowing how to say méihuā for plum blossom or mǔdān for peony, children learn not only new words but also lessons about history, art, and values. Parents can even practice pronunciation in WuKong Education, where flowers and other natural words are part of fun vocabulary sets.

In this guide, we will explore 20 Chinese flowers, their names, their meanings, and how to use them in learning activities. By the end, you will see why flowers are one of the most colorful doors into the Chinese language and culture.

1.Peony – 牡丹 (Mǔdān)

Visual: Imagine a blooming red peony, with petals layered like silk, shining like a crown.

Symbolism: Known as the “king of flowers.” Symbol of prosperity, honor, and wealth.

Culture: Used in imperial art, still a favorite motif in modern designs.

Education Tip: Draw a peony and write 牡丹 (Mǔdān) under it.

Chinese peony flower meaning prosperity

2. Plum Blossom – 梅花 (Méi huā)

Visual: Picture white petals glowing against the snow in late winter.

Symbolism: Strength, hope, and resilience.

Culture: Featured in poems, national symbol of endurance.

Education Tip: Read a short Li Bai poem and circle the word 梅花.

Chinese plum blossom symbol of hope

3. Lotus – 荷花 (Hé huā)

Visual: A pink lotus rising above still water, glowing under the sun.

Symbolism: Purity and spiritual growth.

Culture: Connected with Buddhism, symbol of peace.

Education Tip: Practice writing 荷 and 花, explain 花 means “flower.”

Chinese lotus flower symbol purity

4. Chrysanthemum – 菊花 (Jú huā)

Visual: Yellow chrysanthemum petals spreading like the rays of the autumn sun.

Symbolism: Long life and autumn beauty.

Culture: Central in the Double Ninth Festival.

Education Tip: Make a paper chrysanthemum craft labeled with 菊花.

Chinese chrysanthemum flower longevity

5. Orchid – 兰花 (Lán huā)

Visual: A slim orchid standing tall, elegant in soft purple.

Symbolism: Friendship, loyalty, noble character.

Culture: Celebrated by Confucius as the “gentleman of flowers.”

Education Tip: Students can exchange drawings of 兰花 as friendship gifts.

Chinese orchid flower meaning friendship

6. Camellia – 山茶花 (Shān Chá huā)

Visual: A bright pink bloom shining among glossy green leaves.

Symbolism: Admiration and long-lasting love.

Culture: Popular in southern China, seen in art and gardens.

Education Tip: Compare 茶 (chá, tea) with 茶花 (camellia).

Chinese camellia flower meaning admiration

7.Osmanthus – 桂花 (Guì huā)

Visual: Tiny golden flowers glowing on a tall green tree.

Symbolism: Nobility, good fortune.

Culture: Used in Mid-Autumn Festival cakes and tea.

Education Tip: Smell osmanthus tea while practicing the word 桂花.

Chinese osmanthus flower good fortune

8.Magnolia – 木兰 (Mù lán)

Visual: White magnolia petals shaped like cups, opening to the sky.

Symbolism: Dignity and loyalty.

Culture: Linked with the legend of Hua Mulan.

Education Tip: Write 木兰 and connect it with the Disney story of Mulan.

Chinese magnolia flower loyalty

9.Hibiscus – 芙蓉 (Fú róng)

Visual: A large pink bloom with a bright yellow center.

Symbolism: Fame, personal success.

Culture: Nicknamed “the flower of Chengdu.”

Education Tip: Practice saying 芙蓉 three times to strengthen memory.

Chinese hibiscus flower meaning fame

10. Azalea – 杜鹃花 (Dù juān huā)

Visual: Pink clusters of blossoms covering spring hills.

Symbolism: Passion and womanhood.

Culture: A classic spring mountain flower.

Education Tip: Color a spring scene and label 杜鹃花.

Chinese azalea flower passion’

11. Peach Blossom – 桃花 (Táo huā)

Visual: Light pink petals glowing in orchards.

Symbolism: Romance, youth, vitality.

Culture: Common in Chinese New Year imagery.

Education Tip: Say “桃花节” (Peach Blossom Festival).

Chinese peach blossom meaning romance

12. Narcissus – 水仙花 (Shuǐ xiān huā)

Visual: White petals with a yellow crown, floating like stars.

Symbolism: Good fortune and new beginnings.

Culture: Used in Spring Festival displays.

Education Tip: Grow a narcissus bulb and label the pot 水仙花.

Chinese narcissus flower meaning good fortune

13. Rose – 玫瑰 (Méi guī)

Visual: A deep red rose full of fragrance.

Symbolism: Love and beauty.

Culture: Gifted in Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day).

Education Tip: Compare “玫瑰” with “rose” in English.

Chinese rose flower meaning love

14. Sunflower – 向日葵 (Xiàng rì kuí)

Visual: A bright yellow sunflower turning toward the sun.

Symbolism: Positivity and loyalty.

Culture: Modern symbol of youth.

Education Tip: Practice the compound word 向日葵 (sun-facing flower).

Chinese sunflower meaning positivity

15.Bamboo – 竹 (Zhú)

Visual: Tall green stalks swaying in the wind.

Symbolism: Strength, flexibility, humility.

Culture: Part of the “Four Gentlemen” with orchid, plum, chrysanthemum.

Education Tip: Compare 竹 to bamboo chopsticks at home.

Chinese bamboo symbol strength

16. Pomegranate Flower – 石榴花 (Shí liú huā)

Visual: Red-orange blossoms on a fruit tree.

Symbolism: Fertility and family harmony.

Culture: Used in weddings and New Year art.

Education Tip: Say 石榴花 three times while clapping rhythmically.

Chinese pomegranate flower meaning fertility

17. Orchid Tree Flower – 洋紫荆 (Yáng zǐ jīng)

Visual: Purple petals shaped like butterfly wings.

Symbolism: Harmony and uniqueness.

Culture: Symbol of Hong Kong.

Education Tip: Locate Hong Kong on a map and connect it to 洋紫荆.

Chinese orchid tree flower Hong Kong symbol

18. Gardenia – 栀子花 (Zhī zǐ huā)

Visual: Pure white blossoms with strong fragrance.

Symbolism: Purity and friendship.

Culture: Summer graduation flower in schools.

Education Tip: Write 栀子花 in a farewell card.

Chinese gardenia flower meaning purity

19. Apricot Blossom – 杏花 (Xìng huā)

Visual: Pale pink blooms covering branches in early spring.

Symbolism: Beauty and education.

Culture: Linked with scholars and exams.

Education Tip: Use 杏花 in a spelling quiz.

Chinese apricot blossom meaning education

20. Clover – 苜蓿 (Mù xu)

Visual: Small green leaves with white or purple blooms.

Symbolism: Luck and renewal.

Culture: Found in folk songs.

Education Tip: Search for four-leaf clovers while saying 苜蓿.

Chinese clover flower meaning luck

Four Seasons of Chinese Flowers

In Chinese culture, flowers are often grouped by season. The plum blossom blooms in winter. The orchid stands for spring. Bamboo grows strong in summer. The chrysanthemum shines in autumn. Together, they are called the “Four Gentlemen.” These flowers teach values of resilience, loyalty, humility, and long life.

Parents may also notice cultural differences between Chinese and American symbolism.

For example, yellow flowers in the US may mean jealousy. In China, yellow often means good luck. A bouquet that feels sad in one culture can be joyful in another.

Practical tips about Chinese Flowers:

In Hangzhou’s West Lake, spring brings peach blossoms worth seeing.

In Beijing, autumn chrysanthemums fill parks with color.

When gifting flowers, avoid giving four of anything (sounds like “death” in Chinese). White flowers are used for funerals, not romance. For Valentine’s Day or Qixi, red roses are the safe choice.

Final words

Chinese flower names are keys to Chinese culture, Chinese poem, and history. They help children build vocabulary while also learning values like honor, friendship, and purity. Parents and teachers can make lessons more engaging by using drawings, games, and cultural stories.

To take learning further, you can explore structured lessons with WuKong Chinese, where certified teachers guide children through language and culture together. You can even try free trial lessons that include flower vocabulary.

By learning Chinese flower names, children are not just learning words. They are opening a window into one of the oldest cultures in the world, full of color, meaning, and life.

Mao Ying | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree in International Chinese Education from Peking University. Dedicated to the field of Chinese language education, with 7 years of experience as an international Chinese language teacher.