Plum Blossoms Brave the Cold in South Korea

Photos taken on February 24, 2016 show that the plum blossoms brave the snow in full bloom in Gangneung, South Korea. Although the solar term “beginning of spring” fell on February 4 this year, Gangneung still experienced the cold spell. Plum blossoms are thus admired in traditional Chinese culture as one of the “three friends of winter” (Suihan Sanyou), for their steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience in winter. The other two friends besides plum blossoms are pine trees and bamboo.