Chinese Character: 兰
1. Character Basics
Radical: 艹 (grass radical)
Stroke Count: 5
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lán (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Orchid; fragrant plant; orchidaceous plants; magnolia; cymbidium
4. Common Words
- 兰花 (lánhuā) - orchid; orchid flower
- 吊兰 (diàolán) - spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- 玉兰 (yùlán) - yulan magnolia; Magnolia denudata
- 君子兰 (jūnzǐlán) - clivia; bush lily
- 米兰 (mǐlán) - Chinese Perfume Plant; Aglaia odorata
- 芬兰 (Fēnlán) - Finland
- 兰考 (Lánkǎo) - Lankao (a county in Henan Province, China)
- 兰州 (Lánzhōu) - Lanzhou (capital city of Gansu Province, China)
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "兰" is primarily used as a noun referring to the orchid plant or other fragrant plants. It is often combined with other characters to form compound nouns related to plants or places.
Grammar Patterns:
- 兰+花: 兰花 (orchid; orchid flower)
- 吊+兰: 吊兰 (spider plant)
- 玉+兰: 玉兰 (yulan magnolia)
- 君子+兰: 君子兰 (clivia; bush lily)
- 米+兰: 米兰 (Chinese Perfume Plant)
- 芬+兰: 芬兰 (Finland)
- 兰+考: 兰考 (Lankao, a county in China)
- 兰+州: 兰州 (Lanzhou, a city in China)
The character is also used in proper nouns such as place names (e.g., Lanzhou, Finland) and as part of idioms and literary expressions that evoke elegance, beauty, and moral integrity.
6. Cultural Background
The character "兰" (orchid) holds profound cultural significance in Chinese society and has been revered for thousands of years. In traditional Chinese culture, the orchid is one of the "Four Gentlemen" (梅、兰、竹、菊 - plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum), which symbolize noble virtues and moral integrity.
Confucius compared the orchid to a virtuous person, appreciating its fragrant aroma that spreads even in secluded places, much like a noble person's character that influences others positively regardless of their circumstances. This association has made the orchid a popular symbol in Chinese art, poetry, and philosophy.
The orchid is particularly valued for its delicate beauty, elegant form, and subtle fragrance. It is often depicted in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy as a symbol of purity, refinement, and moral excellence.
In addition to its symbolic meaning, the orchid has practical uses in traditional Chinese medicine and has been cultivated for its ornamental value for centuries. The character "兰" is also used in many Chinese given names, particularly for girls, as it conveys qualities of beauty, elegance, and grace.
Beyond its botanical meaning, the character "兰" is also used in geographical names, both in China (such as Lanzhou and Lankao) and internationally (such as Finland, which is translated as "芬兰" in Chinese).
7. Example Sentence
中文: 她的花园里种了许多美丽的兰花。
Pinyin: Tā de huāyuán lǐ zhòng le xǔduō měilì de lánhuā.
English: There are many beautiful orchids planted in her garden.
8. Memory Tips
The character "兰" (lán) consists of two parts:
- The radical "艹" (cǎo, grass) on the top, which indicates that the meaning is related to plants or vegetation
- The component "柬" (jiǎn) below, which provides part of the structure
To remember the character, think of it as "a grass-like plant (艹) that represents the orchid, a symbol of beauty and elegance in Chinese culture".
Visualize an orchid flower, which helps connect the character's appearance to its meaning. The radical "艹" resembles the leaves of a plant, while the lower part suggests the stem and flower.
Associate the character with common words like "兰花" (lánhuā, orchid) and "君子兰" (jūnzǐlán, clivia), which reinforce its meaning related to plants.
Remember that the character has only 5 strokes, which makes it relatively easy to write. Practice writing the character to reinforce your memory of its structure and stroke order.
You can also remember that "兰" is part of the "Four Gentlemen" in Chinese culture, which helps recall its cultural significance and symbolic meaning.