Legend of peony

Name of Chinese national intangible cultural heritage: Legend of peony

Applicant: Mudan District, Heze City, Shandong Province

Project No.: 1047

Project No.: i-103

Time of publication: 2011 (the third batch)

Category: Folk Literature

Region: Shandong Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Mudan District, Heze City, Shandong Province

Protection unit: cultural center of Mudan District, Heze City

Introduction to peony legend:

Applicant: Mudan District, Heze City, Shandong Province

Heze was called Caozhou in ancient times, and Heze peony is also called Caozhou peony. The legend of peony is well-known and has been handed down till now.

Since Qi Luhuan, a famous florist in Caozhou of the Sui Dynasty, cultivated peony flowers higher than the balcony for emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, the story of peony in balcony has been widely praised. When Xu MaoGong (Li Ji), the founder of the Tang Dynasty, brought the Peony from the royal garden back to his hometown of Caozhou from Chang'an for planting, the story of Li Ji and the peony has been handed down through the ages. Since then, "the peony of Caozhou is in the sea", every village has gardens, and every household raises peony. Many legends have been produced and spread, such as Gejin, Guyu and Peony Fairy, Qinglong lying in the ink pool and so on.

The main contents include: Legend of characters, legend of place names, legend of varieties, legend of customs, etc. It not only reflects the common people's family affection of planting, loving, worshiping and respecting flowers, but also has the anecdotes of officials and celebrities enjoying, banqueting, Fu and loving flowers. It deeply touches people's hearts with the distinct theme of pursuing freedom, advocating love and praising the endless life. It is loved by the people with its distinctive character, strange plot and vivid, concise and popular narration.

Peony is called "national color and heavenly fragrance" by poets and "Peony Fairy" because of its noble character. For thousands of years, the personality charm of Peony Fairy has influenced and inspired generations of Heze people to punish the evil and promote the good and bravely pursue a better life. The geographical features, folk customs and quotations have become important elements in the study of peony culture. In order to carry forward the national culture, inherit the traditional virtues, research and development of peony culture has played a very useful role in promoting.