CHINESE PRACTICE FLOWER POWER
It seems as if everything in China is directly linked to its ancient history.
Even flowers.
It might surprise you — but probably shouldn’t — that one of the more popular exhibits in the gigantic Main Press Center is one for flower arrangements.
People line up in one area of the third floor to offer their hand at forming the best clusters of traditional or modern arrangements. Some take it very seriously and spend an excessive amount of time on the project, which must mean theirs are not countries with deadlines.
It seems that along historical rivers in China, four major flower arrangements have formed: ordinary people, imperial court, religious temples and scholars. Ordinary people are cut flowers. Go figure.
China traces different arrangements to the Qin and Han dynasties (221 B.C.-A.D. 220), and their love of them knows no gender line. Men and women receive flowers after illness or in celebration of holidays, although it is said the Chinese believe sending flowers to men is a more practiced tradition in the West.
News to me, but just in case …
Memo to wife: The next time I’m under the weather, a frozen yogurt with toppings will do just fine.
