SIGN OF PROSPERITY WHEN THE CORN PLANT BEGINS TO FLOWER???

The Chinese have a saying 鐵樹. 鐵樹開花，富貴榮華 which translates to mean "when the corn plant begins to flower, it is a sign of wealth luck coming ones way". Therefore, the corn plant 鐵樹 or Dracaena Massangeana is considered an auspicious plant.
Close-up of the flowers
If treated well the corn plant will produce fragrant white-yellow flowers, followed by orange-red fruits. This is considered to be good luck!
If you can read Chinese, click on the article to read about the good and bad things associated with the corn plant.

In my previous post, my neighbour was detailing the auspiciousness of her newly acquired tit shu. She told me that the one that I have in my compound looked like one but is not. Well, I spent the whole morning checking up on this corn plant and found that the one that I have and the one that she just got are actually from the same species, the Dracaena.

From the research that I did, I discovered that some consider that it is a sign of good luck when it begins to flower but others think otherwise.

I managed to get hold of an article about this particular plant which was published in a Chinese newspaper. If you can read Chinese, just go to the picture and click to get an enlarged version for your reading pleasure. If not, you will have to make do with a brief account by yours sincerely.

IT IS A SIGN OF A HAPPY OCCASION WHEN THE CORN PLANT BEARS FLOWERS

Alam Tam Wing Lun, the popular Hong Kong, actor was quoted as saying that he was of the belief that whenever the dracaenna plant placed in a strategic location in his house flowers, it would be an indication that his ventures at that time would be successful and profitable. The writer of the article then questions the truth behind this belief?

According to the writer, there are two popular types of corn plant but the one referred to by Alan Tam and believed by the people to be auspicious is the Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'. There are people who believe that many things have supernatural properties including the corn plant and since it is rare to see flowers blooming, they come up with either auspicious or ominous assumptions related to this natural occurence.

There are beliefs that if the plant flowers, then it is a sign of something bad happening since plants and animals are sentient beings able to foretell imminent disasters. This would often happen during the autumn-winter seasons and people in ancient China would often connect the signs given by plants and animals with good or bad happenings and eventually these very natural things were symbols of auspice or inauspice.

It is believed that the blooming of the flowers are indicative of conflict, clashes and unpeaceful situations. In short, it affects the nature of the owner of the house; inviting gossips and also discord with friends and colleagues.

Ways to counter the inauspice

According to the study of Feng Shui, there are always cures and remedies for whatever situation, turning inauspice into auspice. When one discovers that the corn plant is about to bear flowers, one has to clean and clear ones living or working space (in other words - clear the clutter). Then one is also advised to tie a red string on the plant and also red ribbons and red packets. The occupants are also to put on a happy demeanour and keep a positive outlook. It is hoped that with the use of red which symbolises the union of fire with wood, the bad luck would turn to good.

IT IS AUSPICIOUS IF IT FLOWERS IN SUMMBER

The article also mentions that if the plant were to bear flowers in summer, then it is a good sign provided that the surrounding area is cleared of all rubbish and clutter and kept clean. In Hong Kong, the flowering plant would bring either auspice or inauspice depending on where it is placed. If it is placed in a wealth position when it flowers, then wealth would come knocking at their door. If it is placed at a certain area, then it would be good for marriage luck. Again there are tips on what to do to counter a situation where it is inauspicious. The article suggests using a strip of red cloth and using it to three rounds the stem of the plant before tying to counter the bad luck.

The question that arises is "how true is it that the corn plant can bring auspice or inauspice when flowers appear on the plant?"

P/S: Those who have read the article in Chinese and find that my translation is faulty, please write in to help me make the necessary corrections. Thank you.