[New Yunnan Notes] Kunming's "Poppy" Blooms in Splendor, a Legend of Human Emotion

Number of days: 4 days
Time: February
Updated: 2025.04.10

[New Yunnan Notes] Kunming's "Poppies" Bloom in Brilliant Colors, Transforming Eternal Human Emotion

In Kunming, where spring is the norm year-round (though snow occasionally falls in winter, as it did around Spring Festival this year), poppies bloom like lively spirits, filling every inch of parks and dotting every corner of streets and alleys. Their vibrant colors and graceful gestures create one of the city's most striking landscapes.

Reds are fiery, vibrant and unrestrained; yellows are golden, dazzling; oranges are radiant and captivating. These dainty poppies sway gently in the breeze, like a group of colorful dancers dancing in the spring light. Poppies typically bloom from March to August, but in Kunming, they eagerly bloom as early as February, heralding spring. Along Guangfu Road, rows of poppies stand lush and graceful. Whenever a breeze blows, they seem to flutter and take flight, as if telling the story of spring. Their slender branches, like the delicate waists of young girls, support blossoms as bright as little suns. Illuminated by the sun and gently caressed by the breeze, the poppies sway with a playful and adorable air, captivating every passerby and inviting them to stop and admire.

Walking into Cuihu Park, clusters of poppies appear like colorful clouds drifting through the sky. Their delicate blossoms sway in the breeze, their vibrant colors resembling dancing butterflies or drifting clouds across the sky, their graceful movements brimming with movement. The name "poppy" is as poetic and picturesque as it is imbued with poetic charm and allure. Their petals, as soft as gauze, flutter gently in the wind. Their bodies stretch out, as if dancing a graceful dance, graceful and elegant, their graceful presence radiating grace and elegance. Poppies come in a rich and diverse range of colors: passionate red, gentle pink, pure white, vibrant orange, and brilliant yellow. The vibrant colors complement each other, scattered across the landscape in an orderly manner, as if nature had accidentally overturned its palette, scattering a riot of color across Kunming. Under the warm sunshine, the poppies appear particularly dreamy and beautiful, each blossom a work of art, radiating captivating charm. Whenever a breeze blows, the poppies dance with the wind, their graceful movements like a group of ethereal fairies frolicking among the blossoms, captivating and captivating. The poppy not only captivates with its beauty, but also with the moving legend behind it, adding a touch of mystery. Legend has it that during the brutal Chu-Han Contention, Xiang Yu was besieged by the Han army at Gaixia, his troops dwindling, food scarce, and besieged on all sides. In this life-or-death moment, Xiang Yu, facing his beloved Concubine Yu, drank and sang in his tent, "My strength could pull mountains, my spirit could conquer the world, but the tide is against me, and my horse will not move. What can I do if my horse will not move? Yu, Yu, what can I do?" To avoid burdening Xiang Yu, Yu Ji resolutely drew her sword and committed suicide, demonstrating her loyalty to love with her own life. Her blood spilled onto the earth, and the following year, a vibrant flower sprouted in the spot stained by Yu Ji's blood. This flower, shaped like rose petals, features opposite leaves on a soft, long stem. It moves even without wind, reminiscent of a dancing beauty, charming and lovely. Hence, the name "poppy" came to be.

The poppy's flowers are gorgeous yet carry a poignant and mournful quality. Some believe that poppies carry too much sadness and death, and planting them in the home seems to cast a shadow of sorrow and resentment, potentially even leading to misfortune. Furthermore, their swaying form in the wind, as if the soul of Concubine Yu dances, adds a touch of mystery and melancholy.

The poppy's floral language is rich and profound, encompassing sadness and helplessness, separation, and tragic songs. These expressions all stem from the tragic yet poignant love story between Concubine Yu and Xiang Yu. In literature and art, poppies are often used to express longing for and mourning for deceased loved ones, becoming a symbol of human sustenance.

In addition to these sad flower languages, poppies also have some other meanings, such as comfort, consolation, great luxury, obedience, etc. These flower languages may be related to the image and legend of Yu Ji, or they may be closely connected with the characteristics and symbolic meaning of the poppy itself. Throughout history, countless scholars and writers have been fascinated by poppy flowers, leaving behind many popular poems. The poem I am most familiar with is Li Yu's "When Will the Spring Flowers and Autumn Moon End?": "When will the spring flowers and autumn moon end? How much do I know about the past? The east wind blew in the small building last night, and I can't bear to look back at my homeland in the moonlight. The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, but the red faces have changed. I ask you, how much sorrow can you have? It is like a river of spring water flowing eastward." With his delicate brushstrokes, Li Yu expressed his longing for his homeland and his emotion about the impermanence of life through "Yu Meiren", which became a masterpiece through the ages.

In addition, there are many poems with "Yu Meiren" as the theme, such as Su Shi's "Yu Meiren·Holding a cup to persuade the moon in the sky from a distance": "Holding a cup to persuade the moon in the sky from a distance, may the moon be full and not missing. Holding a cup to persuade the flowers, may the flowers grow and not leave the slope. Holding a cup, getting drunk under the moon and in front of the flowers, don't ask about the prosperity and decline. How many people can understand this joy? If I don't drink when I see flowers, when will I wait?" Su Shi's lyrics not only express his yearning and cherishment for beautiful things, but also reveal an open-minded attitude towards life.

Li Yu's "Yu Meiren·Combing Tower"

The willows are swaying, the rain is drizzling, spring is in the misty place.

The tower is too small to hide my sorrow. I have flown away with the clouds several times, looking for my boat to return.

Li Yu's "Yu Meiren·Listening to the Rain"

In my youth I listened to the rain on the singing stage, the red candles dimming the silk curtains.

In my prime I listened to the rain in a boat, the river broad and the clouds low, the broken geese crying in the west wind.

Now I listen to the rain under the monk's hut, my temples already gray.

Joys and sorrows, separations and reunions are always merciless, I let the raindrops fall on the steps until dawn.

Fan Chengda's "Yu Meiren·The Jade Flute Startles the Clouds, and the Clouds Are Heavy"

The jade flute starts the news, and the clouds are heavy, but I still blame the Jin Ping Jie.

Qingming Festival is approaching, and the snowflakes are falling, not knowing that the crabapple trees are withering and the willow branches are cold.

The prince is drunk in the felt tent, who cares about the thin silk clothes.

The candlelight and the fragrant mist are both stale, as if someone is worried, with a frown on his brow.

Zhou Bangyan's "Meiren Yu·Pale Clouds Cover the Moon on the Pine Creek Road"

Pale clouds cover the moon on the pine creek road, I am afraid that the boat will return and break my heart.

Nalan Xingde's "Meiren Yu·Spring Love Only Lasts Until the Pear Blossoms Fading"

Spring love only lasts until the pear blossoms fade, and petals are hurriedly falling.

Why is the sunset so close to dusk? It doesn't say that there are still souls in the world that have not been summoned.

Xiang Zizhen's "Meiren Yu·Misty Smoke and Trees Are Countless"

Misty smoke and trees are countless, but they do not hinder my path of lovesickness.

The evening clouds seem to increase my sorrow, but the fragrant grass still sways.

Only the soul of that time has not faded away.

Ye Mengde 《Yu Meiren·A Few Sounds of Light Rain and Wind Startle the Dawn》

A few sounds of light rain and wind startle the dawn, the candlelight is fading.

The guest's sorrow cannot bear the cold of the fifth watch, tomorrow the pear blossoms will be all in bloom, who will see them?

Jiang Jie 《Yu Meiren·Listening to the Rain》

In my youth I listened to the rain on the singing stage, the red candle dimmed the curtains.

In my prime I listened to the rain in a boat, the river was vast and the clouds were low, the broken geese cried in the west wind.

Now I listen to the rain under the monk's hut, my temples are already gray.

Joys and sorrows, separations and reunions are always merciless, I let the raindrops fall on the steps until dawn.

These poems, using poppies as a medium, express diverse emotions and themes, ranging from praising beauty to lamenting life and expressing melancholy, becoming shining pearls in the treasure house of Chinese literature.

Kunming's widespread cultivation of poppies is closely related to its unique climate. Kunming's warm and humid climate, mild winters, and early spring arrival provide exceptional natural conditions for the growth and flowering of poppies. Here, poppies bloom early and bloom for a long time, allowing people to enjoy their beauty from late March to August.

Kunming's major parks and scenic spots, such as the Kunming Botanical Garden and Cuihu Park, have meticulously planted vast expanses of poppy blossoms. These vibrant colors complement the surrounding natural landscape, creating stunning landscapes that attract numerous residents and tourists. The poppies' delicate, ethereal flowers, with petals as thin as cicada wings, sway gracefully in the wind, showcasing a unique beauty and becoming a highlight of Kunming's springtime. Originally from Europe, the poppy is now widely cultivated throughout China, becoming a beloved ornamental plant. Not only is it highly ornamental, its flowers and entire plant are also medicinal, containing various alkaloids with antitussive, antidiarrheal, analgesic, and sedative properties, benefiting people's health. (Over 200 words deleted below) Kunming's poppies are not only beautiful flowers, but also bearers of history and culture. Their unique charm adds endless color and charm to the city. Whether in the warm spring or in other seasons, poppies bloom silently, becoming a timeless part of Kunming's landscape.

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