A peony has big, round, layered petals. In Korea, just one peony could say, “May this home be full of good fortune.”
The king of flowers
People called the peony the king of flowers. It stood for wealth and honor, so it was loved by the royal family.
The Joseon royal family even set up peony screens at each step of a royal funeral. They wished for peace for the one who had passed and for the royal family to keep flourishing. Peony patterns also bloomed on royal wedding robes.
From the palace to every home
Over time, peony screens spread beyond the palace. Ordinary families also wanted this happy flower for their own celebrations. The two screens on this page show peonies standing tall, sometimes next to strange-shaped rocks.
From the Artist
— Jieun Ro
The peony is usually the first flower people meet when they begin learning minhwa.
It carries a grand meaning — wealth and honor — but for me, holding the brush, the peony is above all the most fun flower to paint.
Its round petals look neat with just a few, and they look beautiful in their own way when piled up thick and full. It looks simple, but there is no better flower for practicing barim, the gentle color fade where you spread water petal by petal. Its many leaves are perfect for learning fine leaf veins. It is the best flower for building basic skills, and it looks lovely when finished.
When the flowers that bloom on my paper reach your space, I hope they become more than “how gorgeous.” I hope they leave a warmth that brightens a corner of your heart.
Try This
Count the peony blossoms on one panel of the first screen. Are any two exactly the same?
Image credits & sources
This story is part of an ongoing series. More stories are on the way.
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