Paintings of Flowers and Birds

After 265 A.D., Buddhism and Daoism became the predominate religion in China. Because society was unstable, many intellectuals chose to protect themselves from immorality by exercising self-control and living a reclusive life in the mountains. Such scholars and artists focused on the natural environment, hence much of the art of that period related to flowers and birds. The artists’ unique creations inspired the beginning of landscape painting and still-life topics. After 618 A.D., the painting of flowers and birds became the major trend, and many famous artists’ creative works have survived until this day. In this art form, each flower personifies a particular human characteristic. For example, bamboo is synonymous with high principles; the peony portrays the image of prosperity, while the chrysanthemum represents free will. Fortunately, many painters described their methods and experiences in writing so that this classic Chinese style of flower and bird painting continued to flourish.