Māoritanga holds the tī kōuka (cabbage tree) as a signal of independence while harakeke (flax), with its strong outside leaves and fresh central growth, represents parents and their children. Respected, important leaders are compared to the great tōtara tree, while ongaonga (a type of tree nettle) might be used to describe a difficult person, according to Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal in Te Waonui a Tāne – Forest Mythology, written and published on teara.govt.nz. In China there is a system of messaging based on how many roses are gifted or positioned in a vase for display. A single rose signifies “you are my only love”, while 8 stems ask “let us make up” and 77 is a proposal of marriage.