xuān

萱

Character · NounTraditional蘐

daylily; mother's chamber

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 4 examples
1.

noun

daylily (Hemerocallis fulva); orange daylily

Also known as 金针菜 or 黄花菜. The plant symbolizes forgetfulness of worries in traditional culture.

Běi北
táng堂
yōu幽
àn暗
 ，
kě可
yǐ以
zhòng种
xuān蘐
 。

The northern hall is dim and shaded, suitable for planting daylilies.

Gǔ古
rén人
rèn认
wéi为
xuān蘐
cǎo草
kě可
yǐ以
shǐ使
rén人
wàng忘
yōu忧
 ，
gù故
chēng称
wàng忘
yōu忧
cǎo草
 。

The ancients believed that daylilies could make people forget their sorrows, hence they are called 'forget-sorrow grass'.

2.

noun

mother's room; mother (metonymy)

literary

Traditionally used in the compound 椿萱 (chūn xuān), where 椿 (Chinese toon) represents the father and 萱 represents the mother. Also used in 萱堂 to refer to one's mother.

Chūn椿
xuān蘐
bìng并
mào茂
 ，
táng棠
dì棣
tóng同
xīn馨
 。

Both the Chinese toon and daylily flourish; the cherry-apple and plum blossom share their fragrance (wish for parents' health and family harmony).

Zhù祝
xuān蘐
táng堂
dà大
ren人
fú福
shòu寿
ān安
kāng康
 。

Wishing the honorable mother blessings, longevity, and peace.