The chrysanthemum（菊花） is a very popular flower in China.The beautiful flower has many（1）m

eanings

eanings

in Chinese culture.
   The chrysanthemum is known as one of the "（2）F

our

our

Gentlemen in Plants".The other three are the plum blossom，the orchid，and bamboo.In the past，they（3）s

tood

tood

for noble（高尚的） qualities.
   The chrysanthemum comes out in bright colours during cold autumn days， （4）w

hen

hen

most flowers die.They are beautiful，strong and tough.The flower thus greatly inspired ancient Chinese poets.They praised its beauty and （5）a

lso

lso

used the chrysanthemum to represent（代表） themselves in their works.
   Tao Yuanming was a （6）f

amous

amous

poet.He once wrote a poem about living as a hermit（隱士）.He （7）d

escribed

escribed

how he loved the chrysanthemum and used it to show his spirit in the poem.
   "I pluck chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge and gaze afar toward the southern mountains（采菊東籬下，悠然見南山）." Tao wrote in his poem.Since then，the chrysanthermum has become the symbol of the hermit.But chrysanthemums are not only found in Chinese poems.They are also（8）one p

art

art

of Chinese food.
   The Chongyang Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth month on the lunar calendar（陰歷）.On that day， （9）d

rinking

rinking

wine（酒） made from chrysanthenums is a popular tradition.Chrysanthemum tea is also usually seen on Chinese dinner tables.It tastes great.People believe it is good for one's （10）h

ealth

ealth

.
   In a word，the chrysanthemum has brought great influence to people's life.