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Lingzhi symbolizes political harmony and social concord.

Release date:

2023-06-18

In Chinese history, lingzhi has symbolized supreme authority, solemnity, dignity, sanctity, and nobility, making it one of the most influential auspicious symbols.
Throughout history, the appearance of lingzhi mushroom has often been invoked to extol the virtuous governance of sage kings and worthy rulers, much like the legendary auspicious beast the qilin or the sacred bird the phoenix, serving as a “auspicious herb” that symbolizes the benevolent policies of a sage monarch. During the Yuan dynasty, lingzhi motifs were adorning jade ornaments, carpets, furniture, calligraphy and paintings, and even graced the façades of imperial palaces in Dadu—the Yuan capital, now known as Beijing—signifying that the presence of lingzhi in the court ensured the emperor’s longevity, national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and the enduring stability of the realm.
The “Baihu Tong” holds that, under conditions of political clarity and integrity, certain auspicious omens and portents will manifest; in its chapter on “Fengshan,” it provides a summary and record of various such phenomena, stating:
When virtue reaches the imperial mausoleum, auspicious clouds appear and medicinal herbs flourish; from the tomb emerge rare cinnabar, from the mounds arise lotus and reeds, from the mountains are produced vessels and chariots, and from the marshes spring forth divine cauldrons.
Illustration: Revised and Expanded Ancient and Modern Miscellaneous Histories—Baihu Tong, Volume II: Fengshan
In China, the appearance of lingzhi mushroom is considered an auspicious sign, symbolizing that the ruler governs with wisdom, the organization enjoys political clarity, and society remains harmonious.
The “Xiaojing Yuanshen Qi” states: When a ruler’s virtue extends even to plants and trees, then medicinal fungi will spring forth. The “Ruiying Tu” further records: The “zhi ying”—a type of auspicious fungus—appears when the ruler honors the elderly and nurtures those of upright conduct.
Illustration: Volume 68 of “Gezhi Jingyuan”
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“The so‑called auspicious omens of the world include the qilin and phoenix, the tortoise and dragon, the zhouyu, the white sparrow, sweet spring water, sweet dew, vermilion grass, lingzhi mushrooms, and the tree of joined branches—along with ears of grain that grow in clusters.” — Qi Dong Ye Yu
Illustration: Qi Dong Ye Yu, Volume Six, Auspicious Omens
Wang Mang assumed regency as the Duke of Anhan, and historical records describe his power as “equal to that of the emperor.” On the one hand, in order to showcase his achievements in governing the realm; on the other, to rally public support for his usurpation of the Han throne, Wang Mang repeatedly fabricated auspicious omens.
Now, by the grace and virtue of Your Majesty, in recent times there have been timely rains and winds, sweet dew has descended, divine mushrooms have sprung forth, and the ming‑jia plant, vermilion grass, and auspicious grains have all appeared—auspicious omens arriving together. We, Minister Mang and the others, can scarcely express our profound aspirations; we beseech Your Majesty to cherish your essence and rest your spirit, to set aside excessive deliberation, to observe the customary attire of emperors and kings, and to restore the imperial court’s proper diet, so that all subjects may fully rejoice and be provided with due sustenance. We humbly implore Your Majesty to take pity and grant your careful consideration.
——See “Book of Han, Biography of Wang Mang”
Illustration from the “Biography of Wang Mang” in the Book of Han, Volume 99.