The Chinese lantern plant is a perennial plant that belongs to the nightshade family and botanically classified under the family Solanaceae.
The Chinese lantern plant is scientifically known as Physalis alkekengi and it is also referred to as bladder cherry, Japanese lantern, winter cherry, Japanese hozuki, or Chinese lantern and they are usually grown as ornamental plants as a result of its beautiful and attractive fruit.
The Chinese lantern plant originates from the southeastern part of Europe and other parts of Asia and the name of this plant is derived from the presence of a large, brilliant orange to reddish colored fruit which has a papery like covering over its fruit.
The Chinese lantern plant can grow to a height of about 40 to 60 cm in height and they are herbaceous plants that can grow leaves that appear spiral and is 4 to 9 cm wide and 6 to 12 cm long.
The Chinese lantern plant also produces flowers which are white in color and it possesses a corolla with five lobes on it, this plant is also known to be used in some Asian cultures around the world as a result of the production of fruit which resembles the “lantern” used in these regions.
The Chinese lantern plant is a superb plat in that it has the ability to grow under cold weather and in the temperate regions of the world, this plant requires partial shade for it to grow very well.
Just like every other plant known around the world, the fruit produced by this plant has green coloration but when it reaches the onset of fall, the color of the fruit changes to red or orange and this makes this plant appropriate for decoration.
The Chinese lantern plant requires a well-drained soil for its proper growth and development and another thing about this plant is that it has the ability to grow and have its mark in places where it is grown, i.e. it is considered as an invasive plant and you should properly manage it to get the best from it.
The seed enclosed in the fruit of this plant when matured is considered to be very edible and they are rich in vitamin C but the unripe seed of this plant is considered poisonous (and this is why it is not encouraged).
In this article, we will take you through the various symbolism and meaning of the Chinese lantern plant so you should read further to know more.
What is the Symbolism of the Chinese Lantern Plant
The Chinese lantern plant has a unique structure which makes it one of the best plants that you can have around you.
The flowers from this tree are believed to have been used so much in different cultures around the world and they are important in the arts and crafts when dried.
The Chinese lantern plant can be considered as one which has so many significances among different people around the world, the berries from this plant’s tree are also believed to have medicinal properties.
In the subsequent paragraphs, we will take you through the various symbolism of the “Chinese lantern” so you should read further to know more about this plant.
Symbol of Beauty
The Chinese lantern plant is one of those plants in the world that you can use to adorn your home, garden, or surrounding and this is a result of the production of beautiful flowers and the development of fruits that are exquisite.
The beauty of this plant can be seen in fall as the plant’s fruit changes from its greenish coloration to orange-red coloration and this gives a more beautiful and attractive atmosphere.
The Chinese lantern plant produces stems which can be used to make bouquets as they have special structure, in China, the stem of this plant is popular for decoration and another benefit of this plant is that it can stay for a very long period of time and the fruit (no matter how long) still retain its beautiful nature.
This plant is passing across a message to us that we should understand ourselves and we should not allow ourselves to be blinded by the things that we see around us.
This is a sign that we are beautiful just the way we are and it can also mean that you are very unique and you have something unique about you that you are yet to discover as a person.
This can also be considered as a sign that you are someone that others adore and this can be as a result of your appearance or the way you attend to issues around you and it can as well be a result of a quality that you possess, probably you are someone who is very accommodating or you are someone who makes sure that those around him or her is happy.
Symbol of Good Health
The Chinese lantern plant is considered as a plant which is not advisable to be grown in garden of homes where there are animals and young children as a result of the toxic nature of this plant, however, the fruit of this plant has been studied and it has been discovered that it is very rich in vitamin C which is very good for the human health.
This plant is believed to have medicinal properties and the flower from this tree is believed to have been used for the treatment of illness such as facial paralysis, respiratory ailments, bed-wetting, fevers, and in some cases delayed labor.
This plant is considered to be of great essence to the survival of people with some chronic health issues as it helps to promote healthiness and good wellbeing.
This plant is a sign that you are going to live a life that is going to be free from any kind of trouble or issue and it can also be a sign that you will be safe and guarded throughout your life.
The Chinese lantern plant can be seen as a sign that you will not be prone to any kind of disease or illness and you will be safe through your life.
If you see the Chinese lantern plant, this can be seen as a sign that nothing bad will happen to you and you will be in very good shape and you will be happy for the things that will happen in your life. You should live your life well and you should always make sure that you are safe and protected at all times.
Symbol of Protection
The Chinese lantern plant is a wonderful plant that is a very awesome plant that has the ability to survive under different environments and they are considered as an insignia of warmth as they grow leaves and flowers which grow long and wide.
The berry fruit of this plant is enfolded or buried within a husk which helps to protect them from any kind of external activities from insects or any other factor that can lead to its damage.
The paper-like covering of the Chinese lantern plant fruit helps to protect the seeds found within this fruit and this helps them to stay safe and guarded against injuries that might want to be inflicted on them.
When grown in a large amount over a large landscape, this plant can serve as a habitat for small animals and this will help provide shade.
This plant has the ability to protect itself from any kind of harm and this can be seen through the toxicity of the leaves and berry of this plant.
This plant can be seen as a sign that you will be able to keep yourself safe at all time and it can be seen as a sign that you will be able to overcome your life challenges.
If you are someone who is facing a particular problem in your life at the moment or you are having a challenge, this can be seen as a sign that you will be safe in the long-run so you have no cause whatsoever to worry over such matter as you will soon reach the end of the whole issue.
What is the Meaning of the Chinese Lantern Plant
There are so many meanings that can be attributed to the Chinese lantern plant and the meaning attributed to this plant can be dependent on the region where the plant is grown and the respective culture.
This plant can be seen as a sign of a new dawn, change, perseverance, uniqueness, and lots more. Read further to learn more about the meaning of this plant.
Sign of Perseverance
The Chinese lantern plant can either grow from their seeds and they develop roots in the form of rhizomes which makes it easy for this plant to persist in the soil.
The remnant of the rhizome in the soil can lead to the development of a full-grown plant and this is a sign of the ever-persistent nature of the plant
Sign of Change
The season of growth of this plant varies from one to the other and the color of the fruit changes with the seasons of the year.
It changes from green to red-orange in the fall and this is a sign of a great change that is going to take place in your life as individuals.
Conclusion
The Chinese lantern plant is a unique and awesome plant in nature and they have different symbolism and meanings in the life of so many people.
This plant is a light and it passes across wonderful and great messages and if we can equip them and introduce them into our lives, we will be happy for the great turnaround that we will observe.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
