The Ritual Master Amy Tan’s novels have incredible depth of scenery, so they transport me instantly to something i like to call my own MADE IN CHINA.
Chrysanthemums are representative of many asian cultures. Still, their origin dates back to 15th century B. C. China. In chinese art, they are one of the Four Gentlemen, or Four Noble Ones, a specific selection of four plants : the plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo and the chrysanthemum. In line with the wide use of nature as imagery in literary and artistic creation, the Four Gentlemen are a recurring theme for their symbolism of uprightness, purity, humility, perseverance against harsh conditions, among other virtues valued in the Chinese traditions. Chrysanthemums often don’t bloom until the late days of autumn, and their colorful, cheerful flowers demonstrate perseverance in times of difficulty. This is a flower celebrated by Chinese poets for millenials :
“Plucking chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge, I calmly view the southern hills.”
Tao Yuanming (365–427)
Somewhat of an aquired taste, I only recently found pleasure in drinking pu-erh tea. I find it to be the most “unlike” other types of camellia sinensis teas, the extravagant one. It is a fermented dark tea from the Yunnan region, with a very earthy smell to it, and a sweet mushroomy taste, almost no bitterness or astringency whatsoever. It is transporting by its uniqueness, and eye-opening as an overall experience. I have only tasted a few, but I will surely continue the exploration.
Drinking pu-erh reminds me of rain, the smell of wet leaves in the forest, of cleaning the soil off wild mushrooms, and gives me the very tactile sensation of caressing a bed of moss.
The soft feeling on the very tip of your fingers… the sound it makes when you brush your hand over it… the harmony of an infinite palette of colours, silk is truly the epitome of luxury when it comes to fabric. I always knew the story of the Silk Road, so I imagined China to be at the center of that,but little did I know that Silk is a fabric first produced in Neolithic China ? The different dynasties have encouraged and transformed the craftsmanship of this material, honoured in many writings, including the philosophical work of Master Xun :
How naked its external form,
Yet it continually transforms like a spirit.
Its achievement covers the world,
For it has created ornament for a myriad generations.
Ritual ceremonies and musical performances are completed through it;
Noble and humble are distinguished with it;
Young and old rely on it;
For with it alone can one survive.
Xun Kuang, Confucian philosopher, 310 B.C. – 235 B.C.
Sometimes, it can be as easy as that : I buy myself some beautiful chrysanthemums and enjoy the ritual of composing my different vases for the rooms, I brew a nice pu-erh and enjoy the remarkable sensations it gives to my taste buds, I browse through an art catalogue and enjoy the delicate feel of a silk scarf… all this induced by a novel. An afternoon spent in China, or a dream.
Until next time, enjoy your reading, and your rituals !
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