Monkey (zodiac)
Based on my Reading of The Journey to the West I wanted to look into one of the main characters. The Monkey is brought up a lot so I looked at the Chinese zodiac for the Monkey (I may be biased because I was born in the year of the monkey). I know that it is my sign but I knew nothing else about it. Turns out that is is the 9th out of the 12 zodiacs. One for each month but there is also one for each year and they rotate. I also did not know that there are different kinds of monkey years! Turns out that There is Water, Earth, Fire, Metal, and Wood monkey years (I'm a water monkey I guess, cool! I love the water!). And I supose that monkey's and Tigers (the year) Are not good companions. But Monkey and Dragon years work well! I would like that to the reading, but most people haven't read that far. And the lucky FLower for the monkey is a Chrysanthemum!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_(zodiac)#Years_and_the_Five_Elements
Chrysanthemum
The are native to northeastern Europe and Asia. Many Europian nations have cultural significance tied to the Chrysanthemum. They say that the Chrysanthemum symbolizes death. But in the victorian language of flowers there were other meanings "The Chinese Chrysanthemum meant cheerfulness, whereas the red Chrysanthemum stood for I Love, while the yellow Chrysanthemum symbolized slighted love" . So It isn't all bad I suppose.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum#Cultural_significance_and_symbolism
(Side note The Year of the dragon's lucky flowers are bleeding heart vine and larkspur. Both are beautiful and all of the flowers together would make a lovly bouquet! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_(zodiac))
Language of flowers
I have always been facinated with this idea! Especially since much midevil authors incorporated the language of flowers into their writing (Shakespere in Hamlet with Ophelia). It became popular in victorian england and in the US in the 19th centry but was around even before then. If you have ever heard someone say "If they give you red roses that means something.", this is where that thought stems (Pun absolutly intended). One such interpretation of flowers is "For example, the mimosa, or sensitive plant, represents chastity. This is because the leaves of the mimosa close at night, or when touched." which is quite the assumption if you think about it. The use of flowers to convey meaning is also found in the bible, and even red thorned roses are a symbol of Jesus (and passionate love).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers
Song of Songs
Is a book in the bible, or you can think of it as a chapter if you dont know about the bible. But the Bible is a lot like our text book, many stories from many authors thoughout a related period of time. I have gone to church for a while but never heard of Song of Songs refered to as the "Fifth book of wisdom". Even my pastor says the whole thing is a love letter. So I learned something new! The book is an alegory for the love God has for the Church. It gets a bit sexual from what I have heard since it reffers to the chirch as a "Bride" but I haven't read it all myself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_Songs
Hi Savannah, I love your excitement! I could sense it in your writing about the new ideas you wrote about doing the Wikipedia extra credit. I really enjoyed reading about the song of songs because it is a beautiful truth of God's love for the church ( us). It's not sexual in the way you think but it is a very intimate chapter. Thank you for sharing all that you learned.
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