Chrysanthemum Flower Deity September – 2 Legends of Longevity & Grace
“Picking a chrysanthemum near the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the southern mountains.” As autumn breezes arrive and frost begins to settle, the chrysanthemum stands tall – the flower of the ninth lunar month, celebrated as the “flower among gentlemen.” The September chrysanthemum has two guardians: Tao Yuanming (Tao Qian), the great poet of the Eastern Jin dynasty who rejected official life to live as a hermit farmer, and Liang Hongyu, the Song dynasty female general who beat war drums to rally her troops against the Jin invaders. One represents quiet dignity and reclusion; the other, courage and loyalty. This is the ninth article in our Twelve Flower Deities series. For a complete overview of all monthly flower deities, explore our Twelve Flower Deities guide.
Chrysanthemum Flower Deity September: The Gentleman Among Flowers
The chrysanthemum is one of China‘s ten most celebrated traditional flowers, cultivated for more than three millennia. According to the Oxford University Herbaria, chrysanthemums are native to China and eastern Asia, and have been cultivated for centuries. Originally, small yellow flowerheads were used by herbalists in China, brewed as tea, becoming symbols of longevity and prosperity because of their health-giving properties. The flowers were also considered a symbol of autumn and “the flower of the ninth moon.” They became one of the “Four Gentlemen” (alongside plum, orchid, and bamboo) – plants with considerably admired qualities. According to Penn State Extension, the chrysanthemum was grown as a flowering herb in China as early as the 15th century BC. The Chinese consider the chrysanthemum a symbol of stateliness, and it is popular among the country‘s poets and artists. Both the Chinese and Japanese consider the chrysanthemum a powerful symbol of youth.
In Chinese culture, the chrysanthemum carries rich symbolic meanings:
- Longevity and health – Blooming in late autumn, it is called the “flower of the ninth moon” and has been brewed as tea for its health-giving properties. According to People’s Daily, the chrysanthemum“s Chinese name “ju” means “gathering together,” because the flower looks like a petal ball. Just as the peony represents richness and grace, the chrysanthemum, which blooms in the cold days of late autumn and early winter, represents nobility and elegance. From ancient times, its praises have been sung by Chinese scholars.
- Reclusion and noble character – As one of the “Four Gentlemen,” the chrysanthemum represents integrity, purity, and the refusal to compromise with worldly corruption.
- Resilience in adversity – While other flowers fade, the chrysanthemum blooms proudly in the autumn frost, a metaphor for strength and perseverance.
- Loyalty and joy – In the language of flowers, chrysanthemums symbolize loyalty, optimism, and joy.
The Reclusive Deity: Tao Yuanming – The Poet Who Loved Chrysanthemums
Among the many versions of the September flower deity, the most beloved is Tao Yuanming (Tao Qian, 365–427 CE), a poet of the Eastern Jin dynasty and the founder of China‘s “fields and gardens” poetry tradition. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Tao Qian was one of China’s greatest poets and a noted recluse. Born into an impoverished aristocratic family, he took a minor official post in his 20s to support his aged parents. After about 10 years and a brief term as county magistrate, he resigned from official life, repelled by its excessive formality and widespread corruption. With his wife and children, he retired to a farming village south of the Yangtze River. Despite the hardships of a farmer‘s life and frequent food shortages, Tao was contented, writing poetry, cultivating the chrysanthemums that became inseparably associated with his poetry, and drinking wine, also a common subject of his verse. Britannica notes that Tao has been described as the first great poet of tianyuan (“fields and gardens”), landscape poetry inspired by pastoral scenes.
His most famous lines, “I pick chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, and leisurely I see the southern mountains,” have become the ultimate expression of the hermit‘s life – a life of simplicity, integrity, and harmony with nature.
The legend of the Double Ninth Festival is also closely tied to Tao Yuanming. As recorded by China Daily, it is said that the customs of appreciating chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum wine originated from Tao Yuanming. Tao was famous for his seclusion, poetry, and his love of wine and chrysanthemums. Posterity followed him, and thus the customs prevailed. Literati and scholar‑bureaucrats in old days combined chrysanthemum appreciation with banquets to get closer to Tao Yuanming. Chrysanthemum appreciation was prevalent in Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). Folks called the lunar ninth month “the chrysanthemum month.” During the Double Ninth Festival – also known as the Chongyang Festival – Chinese people, especially the elderly, climb mountains and enjoy chrysanthemums to pray for health and longevity.
The China Daily records that making and drinking chrysanthemum wine can be traced back many centuries, and it became the traditional food on the Double Ninth Festival, to avoid evil spirits and misfortunes. The Chinese word for wine is jiu, a homonym for “long,” symbolizing longevity.
By shaping the chrysanthemum‘s image as the emblem of the reclusive gentleman, Tao Yuanming elevated the flower into a symbol of spiritual independence. Because of this, later generations honored him as the Flower Deity of September – representing integrity, reclusion, and quiet dignity.
For Western readers, Tao Yuanming‘s story resonates with Henry David Thoreau, who chose to live simply at Walden Pond. However, Tao’s reclusion occurred nearly 1,500 years before Thoreau, making him an early icon of the contemplative life.
The Heroic Deity: Liang Hongyu – The Female General Who Defended the Song Dynasty
In another widely celebrated tradition, the September chrysanthemum is guarded by Liang Hongyu (1102–1135 CE), a female general of the Song dynasty and one of the most revered heroines in Chinese history. According to DBpedia, Liang Hongyu became famous during the Jin–Song wars against the Jurchen‑led Jin dynasty. “Hongyu” (红玉), meaning “Red Jade” in Chinese, was the name given in folk legends, Chinese operas, and novels after her heroic death in battle in 1135. She was the wife of Han Shizhong, a Song general known for resisting invaders from the Jin dynasty together with Yue Fei.
Liang Hongyu was born into a military family and trained in martial arts from a young age. In 1129, when a rebellion broke out in Hangzhou, she rode hundreds of miles through the night with her young son in her arms to inform Han Shizhong, enabling him to lead the army to quell the rebellion. The emperor was deeply moved by her loyalty and courage, awarding her the titles of “Lady Anguo” and “Lady Huguo.”
However, her most legendary feat occurred during the Battle of Huangtiandang. The Jin army, led by a powerful general, was attempting to cross the Yangtze River and invade the Song heartland. According to SHINE, Liang Hongyu personally stood atop a high tower and used drums and flags as communication signals to direct the Song warships, coordinating the ambush that trapped the Jin fleet for 48 days. The Song forces achieved a decisive victory. Liang‘s heroic drumming became one of the most celebrated episodes in Chinese military history.
Like the chrysanthemum blooming proudly in the autumn frost, Liang Hongyu stood firm in the most dangerous times, wielding her drumsticks with unwavering courage. Her spirit transformed the chrysanthemum from a simple emblem of the reclusive scholar into a symbol of heroic loyalty, courage, and the defense of homeland.
For Western readers, Liang Hongyu‘s story echoes that of Joan of Arc – a woman who, in her nation’s darkest hour, took up arms and led her people to victory. Both heroines died young, leaving behind a legacy of courage and sacrifice.
The Three Blessings of the Chrysanthemum Flower Deity September
The chrysanthemum flower deity September, through the legends of Tao Yuanming and Liang Hongyu, offers three blessings:
- Longevity and health – The chrysanthemum has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The Double Ninth Festival, which falls in the ninth lunar month, includes customs such as climbing mountains and drinking chrysanthemum wine to pray for health and long life. The chrysanthemum is also called the “hermit among flowers.”
- Reclusive dignity – Through Tao Yuanming, the chrysanthemum represents the noble spirit that refuses to bow to worldly powers, the courage to remain true to oneself.
- Heroic loyalty – Through Liang Hongyu, the chrysanthemum embodies loyalty to one‘s homeland, the courage to stand up for what is right, and the strength to fight for one’s people.
Personality of September‑Born People
In Chinese folk tradition, those born in September (or the lunar month of the chrysanthemum) are said to carry the flower’s qualities:
- Wise and independent – They are not easily swayed by the crowd and possess their own values.
- Resilient and persevering – They maintain their inner strength even in the face of adversity.
- Noble and principled – They hold to their beliefs and refuse to compromise with corruption.
- Quietly talented – Like the subtle fragrance of the chrysanthemum, their talents are deep and enduring.
If you or someone you love was born in September, a chrysanthemum necklace makes a meaningful gift – a wish for longevity, dignity, and a life of quiet strength.
How to Wear the Chrysanthemum Blessing
In our Twelve Flower Deities Collection, the September chrysanthemum pendant is handcrafted with a natural white chalcedony stone wrapped in a gold‑plated 925‑silver chrysanthemum blossom.
- Daily wear – A reminder to stay true to oneself and to bloom with dignity.
- Double Ninth Festival gift – A blessing for parents and elders for health and longevity.
- Birthday gift – Wishing the recipient a life of integrity, resilience, and grace.
Discover the Chrysanthemum Necklace – September Flower Deity or browse the full Twelve Flower Deities Collection to find your birth month flower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chrysanthemums (genus Chrysanthemum) belong to the Asteraceae family and have a wide variety of petal forms, including tubular, spoon‑shaped, and quilled petals. Daisies typically have white petals and a yellow central disc. Chrysanthemums are most closely associated with autumn in East Asian culture, while daisies are more often linked to spring.
Chinese folk traditions are diverse and vary by region and historical period. Tao Yuanming represents the chrysanthemum’s spirit of reclusion and noble character, while Liang Hongyu embodies its heroic loyalty and courage. Both are honoured, and both are authentic – simply reflecting different facets of the flower‘s soul.
The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival) falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the peak of chrysanthemum blooming season. Traditional activities include climbing mountains, enjoying chrysanthemums, and drinking chrysanthemum wine – all believed to bring health, longevity, and protection from misfortune.
Conclusion
September belongs to the chrysanthemum – a flower that does not compete for spring’s attention but blooms proudly in autumn frost, undaunted by wind and cold. It teaches us that true strength does not need to be loud; true nobility needs no worldly validation.
To discover the other eleven flower deities – from January’s plum blossom to December‘s narcissus – explore our Twelve Flower Deities guide.
When September’s chrysanthemums fade, October‘s hibiscus begins to bloom. Its Flower Deity carries a message of gentle beauty and fleeting grace. Read the story of the October Flower Deity (coming soon).