"Lunaria"
(Silver Dollar Plant or Honesty)
The drawing was created for the interior decoration, for new luxury hotel in Mentougou, Beijing/China for Beijing Tanzhe Yangpoyuan Tour Development Co. Ltd client. This work was meant to be one of the 4 season theme artworks for the bedroom walls. Unfortunately the style and the choice of the plant (Lunaria) didn't match client's idea for the image of the winter season.
As i love the plant, i decided to share it with everyone even if it was not chosen for the hotel. I hope that one day it will find it's owner or/and the place for others to enjoy.
This work can be purchased
The Latin name Lunaria means "moon-shaped" and refers to the shape and appearance of this species' silicles. The common name "honesty" arose in the 16th century, and may also relate to the translucence of its silicle membranes.
In South East Asia, it is called the "money plant" and in the United States it is commonly known as "silver dollars", "Chinese money", or "Chinese coins" because its silicle membranes have the appearance of silvery coins. For the same reason, in French it is known as monnaie du pape ("Pope's money"). In Denmark it is known as judaspenge and in Dutch-speaking countries as judaspenning (both meaning "coins of Judas"), an allusion to the story of Judas Iscariot and the thirty pieces of silver he was paid for betraying Christ.
In the language of flowers, the plant represents honesty, money, and sincerity. In witchcraft, the honesty plant is considered protective, being thought to keep away monsters.
The plant is also used in spells for prosperity, the flat pods (when ripe and silvery) resembling coins and therefore being seen as symbolising promises of wealth.
In the earliest surviving recipe for a flying ointment (recorded by Bavarian physician Johannes Hartlieb circa 1440), Lunaria is included as the herbal ingredient corresponding astrologically to the moon and therefore to be picked on the lunar day of Monday.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunaria_annua
