In Japanese, as well as Chinese painting tradition, the peony is often teamed
with fowl. The peony is also depicted with a woman dressed in Chinese robes, which
alludes to Yokihi, the concubine of a T'ang emperor famed for her beauty. ()
In China,
the peony is considered the "king of flowers". The peony is China's national flower.
The showiness of its blossom made it a symbol of good fortune, high honor, and
the spring season. () As an erotic symbol, the peony symbolizes the female genitalia. ()
It is said that when the dew, which represents semen, drops, the peony flower opens.
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