PEONY ring

The peony is named after Paeon (also spelled Paean), a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. When Asclepius became jealous of his pupil, Zeus saved Paeon from his wrath by turning him into a peony flower. The peony is one of the longest-used flowers in Eastern culture. Along with the plum blossom, it is a traditional floral symbol of China, and is known as the “flower of riches and honour” and the “king of flowers.” In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower, although today, modern China does not recognize any national flower, this beauty continue to be one of the most decorative traditional patterns. Grown as a garden plant, it is said to have medicinal value as well, since the root has been used as a treatment for convulsions. In the Middle Ages, peonies were often painted with their ripe seed-capsules, since it was the seeds, not the flowers, that were medically significant. In the 17th century, Flemish artists considered peonies,