Behind the Scent- Osmanthus Flower In Chinese Culture
Osmanthus fragrans – a Chinese treasure
Osmanthus (桂), a China’s sweet osmanthus flower, which has been cultivated in China for over 2500 years.
Adored by poets and scholars throughout history, this flower holds a special place in Chinese culture. The ancients praised osmanthus fragrance for its qualities of being "thick, clear, long-lasting, and far-reaching."
Its clarity has the power to cleanse, while its richness can permeate great distances. Countless literary works have celebrated the magnificence of this flower. It is revered as a symbol of excellence, nobility, and auspiciousness.
The legend of Wu Gang cutting the osmanthus tree
The legend of Wu Gang is closely tied to the osmanthus tree. According to the story, Wu Gang left his wife for three years to study Taoism. During his absence, his wife had an affair with Bo Ling, the grandson of the third-generation Yan Emperor, and gave birth to three sons. Upon returning home, Wu Gang killed Bo Ling in a fit of rage.
The Yan Emperor, seeking to avenge this personal offense, sentenced Wu Gang to the moon and ordered him to cut down an immortal osmanthus tree that was said to be 500 feet tall. However, every time Wu Gang chopped at the tree, it would immediately heal itself, making the task seemingly impossible to complete.
It's believed the Yan Emperor devised this endless labor as a way to punish Wu Gang. Later, Wu Gang's wife took pity on him and asked their three sons to transform into toad, rabbit, and snake to assist Wu Gang in cutting down the tree. To this day, the four of them are still working tirelessly on the moon.
Osmanthus - the aromatic edible Chinese flower
Osmanthus is highly valued in Asian food culture for its beautiful aroma and taste that complements both sweet and savory preparations. The flowers lend a uniquely floral yet subtly fruity flavor profile to a variety of traditional dishes and drinks.
Osmanthus jam & rice cake
Osmanthus wine
Inspired by osmanthus- Golden Osmanthus Candle
Sources: https://www.csf.org.cn/News/noticeDetail.aspx?aid=26305