Legend says that the Paijiao people once had their own script written on cowhide. But because of frequent migrations, the carriers of the scriptures, while resting by a river, noticed by chance that their characters were shaped like the curved marks fish leave on stones when kissing them. He thought, since even fish can understand the Paijiao script, then wherever there is water and fish, their writing and knowledge of the world must also be understood. Humans cannot live without water, so there was no need to carry such a heavy burden. In his self-proclaimed wisdom, he burned the scriptures. This is why the Paijiao people have their own language but no written script today.
So, if the Paijiao people have no written language, how did they express, convey, and communicate in the environment where they have lived for generations? The answer is through green “secret codes.” These “secret codes” make use of various natural plants and objects, combining them visually to convey meaning and achieve intended goals. This is the green “secret code” of the Xishuangbanna rainforest, where objects symbolize messages.
A Subgroup of the Hani Ethnicity – the Paijiao People
Trees, flowers, and vines hold more than just their beautiful blossoms in the eyes of the Paijiao. Even the most ordinary leaves contain profound knowledge. Different plants have leaves of varying shapes, and even the same plant’s leaves may change depending on the environment. Though lacking a written language, they use the trees, flowers, and vines gifted by nature to communicate with one another, fulfilling emotional and spiritual desires and forming a unique harmony between humans and the natural ecological environment.
Nowadays, with rapid social development, the Paijiao have developed an urgent desire to seek knowledge, skills, beauty, and joy from the outside world. They are constantly absorbing and learning from new cultural knowledge, updating and enriching themselves. Especially under the influence of modern information networks, they are passively subjected to the permeation of external cultures. Although this rare green “secret code” has gradually formed over a long historical journey — evolving from origin to prosperity, brilliance, and constant change, bearing strong regional characteristics — it could originally only be used for communication within the ethnic group to achieve mutual understanding. Like today’s codes, outsiders find it hard to decipher or use it. However, as society progresses, due to the group’s relative weakness, political influence, environmental changes, and shifts in living conditions, they have naturally integrated into lifestyles and customs vastly different from their origins. The Paijiao no longer forage in forests for needed plants, and this mode of communication is no longer the spiritual core of their survival exchanges. The green secret code is a brilliant creation of the Paijiao people. It is not only part of the splendid culture of China’s ethnic minorities but also a valuable contribution to social civilization. It is a unique and invaluable living social fossil. Like a chain, it links the Paijiao’s history cohesively, allowing people to glimpse the depth of historical culture through the green “secret code” of object-based symbolism.
Plant Secret Codes
Osmanthus Tree
Meaning: “I hope to visit your home tonight.”
The osmanthus emits a particularly strong fragrance at night, signifying that my intentions are kind and that I will bring joy to your family during the dark hours.
Golden-edged Winter Leaf
Meaning: “I really like you.”
It grows in cool, damp places. Its roots resemble ginger, and it has wide leaves with a golden rim. Mountain dwellers cannot do without it — it is commonly used to wrap food and as tableware.
Meaning: You are as indispensable in my life as the golden-edged winter leaf.
Jade Leaf Golden Flower
Meaning: “Growing old together.”
A vine plant with tiny golden-yellow flowers. The flower stem does not exceed a few millimeters, the flowers are odorless, and one of the bracts expands to 8–10 millimeters, changing from green to white or bright red.
Meaning: No matter how the bract expands or changes color, it always surrounds the flower.
Goat Milk Fruit Tree
Meaning: “Can I persuade my parents and fight for what I want?”
A vine plant with silvery-gray vines and leaves, small white flowers, and sweet fruit.
Meaning: Though the path of love is especially tough, I believe that with joint effort, we will harvest the sweet fruits of love.
Monkey Tail Tree
Meaning: “I will love you forever.”
The fruit of this tree has thick, tender flesh. As it ripens, thick fuzz grows, but once removed, the fruit remains true to its original form.
Meaning: No matter how the world changes, love will never alter.
Dripping Water Taro
Meaning: Broad-mindedness
Prefers cool, damp environments. The taro itself is inedible, and the stems and leaves are gray-white. The leaves are very broad and can be used as vegetables or temporary umbrellas and sun hats. It has a very high germination rate.
It means: As long as you need me, I will give my life.
Bitter gourd tree
It signifies: There is a new family member in our house; outsiders are not to come upstairs casually or bring dirt into the home.
The bitter gourd tree’s trunk, stems, and leaves are covered with thorns; the bamboo fence is a specially made multi-layer protective door. It means: As long as this object is hung above the doorway, it can ward off evil.
National Name Grass
It means: “Too poor. Don’t like you.”
This grass has thick stems and leaves, and the species has a strange smell.
It means: I can’t find any good qualities in you at all; I don’t fancy you at all.
Wild eggplant tree
It means: “Drive away ghosts. The village remains safe.”
The wild eggplant’s vines, stems, branches, and fruit stems are all covered with thorns. Usually during sacrificial activities in the village, it is used to sprinkle water on villagers, which helps drive away spirits and ensure safety.
Tiger’s Whisker
It means: “My heart never dies.”
The root resembles a taro, it bears purple-black flowers with very long flower whiskers, and generally, the leaves may die but the roots do not.
It means: No matter how you treat me, I will keep pursuing you.
Short-lived Tree
It means: You are a fickle person, like grass on a wall; I won’t love you.
This tree’s branches break easily, the leaves are broad, green on the front and gray on the back, and the stem is very long. When the wind blows, the leaves sway particularly violently.
It means: You have no backbone, you fall in love with whatever you see; I reject your love.
Ox Rib Scar Tree
It means: “The Lucky Tree of Love.”
This tree’s trunk grows twisted, it has a long flowering period and a uniquely fragrant aroma. There is a magical legend about this tree: a young man once rested under it and met a fairy, and later they became a loving couple.