荪 (sūn) - Aromatic plant & fragrant grass
荪 · sūn
Aromatic plant;
fragrant grass;
specifically refers to a type of fragrant herb (similar to sweet flag or calamus);
used in classical Chinese literature for its pleasant scent.
Aromatic plantfragrant grassspecifically refers to a type of fragrant herb
Usage highlights
Fragrant herbAromatic plantOrchid and calamusPoem about fragrant grassVirtuous herbClassical reference to fragrant plant
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The garden was filled with fragrant herbs (芳荪).
- He composed a poem about the aromatic plant (咏荪).
- In ancient texts, 荪 often symbolizes virtue and fragrance (古文中荪常象征美德与芳香).
Collocations
- Fragrant herb(香荪)
- Aromatic plant(芳荪)
- Orchid and calamus(兰荪)
- Poem about fragrant grass(咏荪)
- Virtuous herb(德荪)
- Classical reference to fragrant plant(古荪)
Idioms
- Orchids and aromatic grasses(兰荪并秀)
- Fragrant herbs in the marsh(泽畔之荪)
- Virtue like fragrant plants(德芳若荪)
Cultural background
FAQ- In classical Chinese literature, 荪 is often used as a metaphor for virtuous people or noble qualities.
- The character appears in ancient poetry and texts, particularly in descriptions of fragrant plants and natural beauty.
- It carries connotations of refinement, elegance, and classical scholarship.