In English, 車前 is known as plantain herb (scientifically Plantago asiatica or Plantago major). It is a common plant with medicinal properties, often used in traditional Chinese medicine. The name 芣苢 is an alternative or poetic name for this herb.
In a time of peace, married women gathered plantain herbs together. The Buddha’s hand symbolized their hands as they plucked the herbs, blending spirituality with nature.
Women ate plantain to aid pregnancy and childbirth, storing it for future use. Surrealist art showed an embryo blooming inside the fruit, symbolizing life and hope for sons.
After gathering plantain, it was made into traditional medicine. Surrealism captured the fluid, dynamic essence of the healing herbs in motion.
During the peaceful reigns of Zhou kings, women sang this song while working. A peace lock symbolized the era’s stability and abundance.