Lingzhi embodies the auspicious culture of good fortune and harmony.

Release date:

2023-06-18

In ancient times, lingzhi was regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness and harmony, often referred to as the “immortal herb.” As noted in the Erya Zhusu: “Zhi bears blossoms three times a year; it is an auspicious grass…” The Lunheng states: “Zhi grows from the soil; when the earth’s qi is harmonious, zhi‑grass springs forth.” In the Ming dynasty, Jie Jin wrote in “A Gift to the Son of a Friend from Langxi on His Audience at Court”: “Though splendor has passed, letters endure; the fragrant aroma of lingzhi and other auspicious herbs lingers.” And Zhu Zhanji, in his poem “Green Bamboo—A Gift to Grand Commander Sun Zhong,” composed: “In the imperial garden, flowers and trees bloom in youthful exuberance, while lingzhi and other blessed herbs vie for fragrance.”
      Illustration: Volume 8 of the “Erya Zhusu” and Volumes 84, Parts 1–2 of the “Yuding Qunfangpu”

Confucianism, moreover, regarded the concentric, cloud‑like rings on the cap of the lingzhi mushroom as symbols of beauty, calling them “Qingyun.” Ancient people saw these as auspicious motifs, and the lingzhi’s auspicious cloud pattern was incorporated into architectural elements—such as temples, pavilions, and residential buildings—as well as into traditional attire and everyday objects. Even the decorative carvings on the huabiao pillars before Tiananmen Square feature this motif; in fact, all these designs evolved from the image of the lingzhi mushroom.
      Illustration: Imperial Edict of the Xian Emperor of the Sejong Era, Volume 139
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