芝兰 zhī lán

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. iris and orchid
  2. fig. exalted sentiments
  3. (expr. of praise for noble character, beautiful surrounding, future prospects etc)

CHARACTERS

芝 zhī sesame; a purplish or brown mushroom thought to have miraculous powers; 'a divine and felicitous plant' (Karlgren)
兰 lán orchid; elegant, graceful