The Curse of the Chrysanthemum is a well-known legend in Japanese folklore that revolves around a cursed flower. According to the legend, anyone who possesses or grows the chrysanthemum flower would bring forth misfortune and tragedy upon their household. The origins of this curse can be traced back to ancient Japan, where the chrysanthemum was considered a sacred flower with divine powers. It was believed that the flower held the souls of the dead and had the ability to bestow blessings or curses upon those who possessed it. One of the most famous tales associated with the Curse of the Chrysanthemum is that of a powerful samurai lord who grew the flower in his garden. Despite his wealth and influence, tragedy struck his household, with his wife falling ill and his children meeting untimely deaths.
I was listening to this song before I read the translations and I love the way his voice sounds and that it trails at the best parts, and the music fits with his voice perfectly. I love that this song sounds like a lullaby to help me fall asleep at night. During the day, I would dance to it (contemporary style, on rare occasions, ballet). It calms me down when I’m in any negative mood. I sing along when I’m alone, lip-sync while I’m doing things, and hum with strangers around.
On the day of Chongyang Festival, Jiang Chan and her mother are hunted by the Emperor s soldiers, and the Empress leads them to a room, where the Empress reveals the true identity of Jiang Chan s mother, namely the Emperor s ex-wife. The plot is based on a famous play, Thunderstorm , written by Cao Yu, a celebrated Chinese dramatist, but is set in the imperial court in ancient China.
Despite his wealth and influence, tragedy struck his household, with his wife falling ill and his children meeting untimely deaths. The samurai lord was eventually driven to madness and despair, as he believed the curse to be the cause of his misfortune. As the legend spread, many people began to fear the chrysanthemum and avoid having it in their homes or gardens.
Curse of the Golden Flower
The film is a 2006 Chinese epic directed by Zhang Yimou. The plot is based on a famous play, "Thunderstorm", written by Cao Yu, a celebrated Chinese dramatist, but is set in the imperial court in ancient China.
The Emperor, originally a small military officer, marries a new wife who holds a high position. He plots to have his ex-wife murdered, leaving him with their son, the Crown Prince Yuan Xiang. The Emperor and his new wife, the Empress, give birth to two more princes. His ex-wife escapes death, conceals her name, and marries the Imperial Doctor.
The Emperor discovers that the Empress and Yuan Xiang are having an illicit affair and secretly orders the Imperial Doctor to add tiny amounts of poisons into the Empress’ medicine. The Empress feels dizzy and is aware of the poison, but still eats the medicine in order to not raise the Emperor’s suspicion.
The Empress persuades Prince Yuan Jie to rebel during the Chongyang Festival, the day for appreciating golden chrysanthemum flowers, and kill the Emperor.
The Crown Prince Yuan Xiang not only has an affair with the Empress, but is also in love with Jiang Chan, the Imperial Doctor’s daughter, whose mother is in fact the Emperor’s ex-wife. Yuan Xiang, however, keeps this unknown.
On the day of Chongyang Festival, Jiang Chan and her mother are hunted by the Emperor’s soldiers, and the Empress leads them to a room, where the Empress reveals the true identity of Jiang Chan’s mother, namely the Emperor’s ex-wife. Knowing that she is Yuan Xiang’s half-sister, Jiang Chan gets crazy and runs out, with her mother running after her, and then the two both get killed.
Thousands of warriors led by Yuan Jie charge the palace, but the Emperor is prepared for Yuan Jie’s rebellion, and has hidden a golden-armored army in the palace. The prince manages to fight but eventually has to surrender.
After the battle, the yard is cleaned up swiftly as if nothing happened. The Emperor does not sentence Yuan Jie to death, instead punishing him by forcing him to feed poisoned medicine to the Empress everyday. Yuan Jie apologizes to his mother for his failure to kill the Emperor and commits suicide. His blood spills on the Empress’s medicine, and the Empress screams aloud, slapping the plate out of the servant’s hands with extreme grief.
Comments:
The film is a kind of feast in terms of its gorgeous costumes and spectacular scenes. Many praise the movie, while some think it is a poor reflection of director Zhang Yimou’s past acclaimed works.
I have a liking to the opening of the song. It sounds indigenous (you know me, I like old stuff) and then Chou adds Western sounds, which goes great with it. I’m very drawn to the soothing melody.
It became a symbol of bad luck and tragedy, with even the mention of its name bringing a sense of unease to those who believed in the curse. The Curse of the Chrysanthemum gained further prominence during the Edo period, where superstitions and folk beliefs thrived. It became a cautionary tale, warning people of the potential consequences that could arise from possessing or growing the cursed flower. However, it is important to note that the Curse of the Chrysanthemum is nothing more than a legend and superstition. There is no scientific or factual evidence to support the idea that the chrysanthemum possesses any supernatural or cursed properties. In modern times, the chrysanthemum continues to be highly regarded in Japan as a symbol of autumn and is often associated with positive meanings such as longevity and happiness. It is widely celebrated during the annual Chrysanthemum Festival, where exquisite arrangements of the flower are displayed. While the Curse of the Chrysanthemum remains a captivating legend, it serves as a reminder of the power of belief and the influence of folklore in shaping cultural perceptions..
Reviews for "Warding off the Chrysanthemum Curse: Ancient Rituals and Modern Practices"
1. Samantha - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Curse of the chrysanthemum." The plot was confusing and poorly executed. There were so many characters introduced that it was hard to keep track of who was who. The pacing was also off, with long periods of inaction followed by rushed and chaotic scenes. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged and invested in the story.
2. John - 1 star
"Curse of the chrysanthemum" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The writing was uninspired and the dialogue felt forced. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. The plot lacked depth and I found myself continually waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Curse of the chrysanthemum," but it fell flat for me. The story seemed promising at first, but it quickly became predictable and cliché. The author relied too heavily on overused tropes and the attempts at humor fell flat. The writing itself was mediocre, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied after reading this book.