兰 (lán) - Orchid — a fragrant flowering plant & symbolic of elegance, purity, and nobility in Chinese

兰Tone 2

lán ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 丷

俊梁

兰 · lán

Orchid — a fragrant flowering plant;

symbolic of elegance, purity, and nobility in Chinese culture;

also used in place names and names.

Orchid — a fragrant flowering plantsymbolic of elegance, purity, and nobility in Chinesealso used in place names and names.

Usage highlights

Orchid flowerMagnoliaLanzhou cityOrchid PavilionOrchid heartSpring orchid

Synonyms

  • 兰花— orchid flower
  • 兰草— orchid grass
  • 香草— fragrant grass (poetic term for orchid)

Antonyms

  • 艾— mugwort (common weed, opposite of noble orchid)
  • 蒿— wormwood (common plant, contrast to elegant orchid)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She grows orchids (兰花).
  • This is a magnolia flower (玉兰花).
  • We visited Lanzhou city (兰州).
  • Orchid Pavilion is famous (兰亭).

Collocations

  • Orchid flower(兰花)
  • Magnolia(玉兰)
  • Lanzhou city(兰州)
  • Orchid Pavilion(兰亭)
  • Orchid heart(兰心)
  • Spring orchid(春兰)

Idioms

  • Like an orchid and jade tree(芝兰玉树)
  • Orchid heart and magnolia quality(兰心蕙质)
  • Golden orchid and jade friend(金兰之友)
  • Orchid chamber(兰房)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The orchid is one of the 'Four Gentlemen' in Chinese art, symbolizing nobility, elegance, and refinement.
  • In Confucian tradition, the orchid represents the virtuous gentleman who maintains integrity in adversity.
  • Used in many feminine names to convey grace, beauty, and moral purity.

FAQ