龍年生龍子, 龍年開龍花 (snapdragon blooms in the year of dragon)

Our snapdragon (also called dragon flower, 龍花) was a disappointment last year, but they have been blooming, exuding the vivacious beauty and rewarding our toil and sweat in the garden.  Katy was puzzled at what had made the difference; I tried to figure it out with the little analytic mind that I have.  It then dawned on me.   This is the year of dragon and thus the year of dragon flower.  龍年生龍子, 龍年開龍花(snapdragon blooms in the year of dragon).

Snapdragon derives its name from its resemblance to the face of a dragon.  One may have to stretch one’s imagination to make such a comparison.  It opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed, thus the ‘snap’.