The peony is a kind of traditional flowers. There are four major original home of peony in China, namely Luoyang, Heze, Pengzhou and Dianjiang. Among them, Luoyang peony is the most famous, boasting its peony flowers the finest under heaven.
The cultivation of peony in Luoyang originated from Heluo area, started in Sui Dynasty, and flourished in Tang Dynasty, and it has a long history. The peony of Luoyang research bases have largest variety of peonies with full ranges of colors and the most advanced cultivation technology. As early as the Tang and Song Dynasties, Luoyang had the systematic skills of planting flowers, forming the customs of appreciating flowers and poems, paintings and calligraphy, legends and costumes related to peony, which derived the Luoyang peony culture.
Luoyang peony has many values. On the culture, its flower is elegant, exquisite beauty, meaning wealth and prosperity. Peony is a symbol of the prosperity and happiness of the Chinese nation. In addition, It has ornamental value. Through the ages, peony flowers can attract countless visitors to appreciate, bringing people visual enjoyment. Peony has edible value. Its stamens can be made into flower cake and peony flower wine.
The Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi described peony: “Only moutan deserves the title of the National Flower; as it blows, the whole capital turns out for its glamour.” Passion for peonies of people in Luoyang has been nurtured and passed down from generation to generation. The “China Peony Culture Festival” annually held in Luoyang attracts thousands of people. Peony icon and interesting story legends transmit our traditions to younger generation.
参考译文：
牡丹是中国的传统花卉，中国有四大牡丹之乡，分别是洛阳，菏泽，彭州，垫江。其中洛阳牡丹最为知名，有“洛阳牡丹甲天下”之美誉。
洛阳牡丹的栽培源于河洛，始于隋，鼎盛于唐，具有悠久的历史。洛阳的牡丹研究基地品种繁多，花色奇绝，栽培技术最先进。早在唐宋时期，洛阳已具备系统的栽花技艺，形成赏花习俗及与牡丹有关的诗词、书画、传说、服饰等，由此衍生出洛阳牡丹文化。
洛阳牡丹具备诸多价值。文化上，牡丹花朵雍容华贵、国色天香，寓意富贵繁荣，是华夏民族兴旺发达、美好幸福的象征。牡丹具有观赏价值，古往今来，牡丹花开都能引来无数游人欣赏，带给人们视觉上的享受。具有食用价值，其花蕊可以做成鲜花饼，牡丹花酒。牡丹也药用价值，其根入药，能去痛消肿。
唐朝诗人刘禹锡称“唯有牡丹真国色，花开时节动京城”。洛阳穿越千年的牡丹情缘，孕育出世代传承的牡丹文化。每年的“中国牡丹文化节”令无数国人心驰神往，“一朵花”带火“一座城”成为当代传奇。
（图/文 邓贵芳，编审/张慧娟，审核/王俊华）
