Maple Leaves
Maple leaves, found on maple trees, typically have a palmate shape with five lobes.
They measure around 13 cm in length, a bit larger than the width of an average person's palm.
The base of the maple leaf is heart-shaped. These leaves appear rough on the surface, with shades ranging from medium green to dark green on top. The underside of the leaves features tiny hairs along the veins.
When autumn arrives, these leaves transform into vibrant shades of yellow, orange, or red, though some areas may retain their dark green hue. There are more than a hundred varieties of maple trees, categorized by the size of their leaves - large, medium, or small.
Canada proudly adopts the maple leaf as its national symbol, earning the nickname "the country of the maple leaf." In the United States, Carthage, Missouri, holds the title of "America’s Maple Leaf City," while the city of Sammatti in Finland features the maple leaf in its coat of arms.
Maple trees hold immense ornamental value, particularly when they form a forest, creating breathtaking landscapes in late autumn.
Symbolically, the maple leaf represents qualities like perseverance, strength, determination, and the ability to endure hardship.
In life, it signifies the capacity to stay positive and move forward, making it a fitting gift for friends, coworkers, and loved ones.
In matters of the heart, the maple leaf symbolizes unforgettable first love and the fear of love.
However, it emphasizes the importance of personal growth through failed experiences to find true love.
The motto associated with the maple leaf is to be gentle in gentleness and powerful in strength.
Two fiery red maple leaves forming a heart shape signify passionate love and pure affection, with the red leaves representing mature hearts and green or orange leaves symbolizing immaturity.
The maple leaf holds a profound spiritual significance, often symbolizing perseverance. Its resilience is evident in late fall when most plants go dormant and wither.
The vibrant redness of the maple leaf mirrors the burning hope that endures through the cold season, embodying the spirit of perseverance.
Maple leaves sprout in spring and gracefully fall in late autumn. As they gently descend to the ground, they evoke memories and sentiments, reflecting people's deep attachment to cherished moments and experiences.
Moreover, the maple leaf serves as a metaphor for life's accumulation, the eternal nature of emotions, the passage of time, and the enduring connections to people from the past.