The head of the Chinese narcissus is charmingly delicate, with great poise. Standing in clear water it really is like a floating fairy. It has been likened to the wives of the ancient Emperor Shun, who threw themselves into a river out of love for him. It was written about by the sentimental poet Cao Zhi, who yearned unrequitedly for the goddess of the River Luo--the narcissus 'female flower-spirit.
水仙花頭纖細，姿態綽約，亭亭立於清水之中，又似輕盈仙子凌波而來，因此時而被喻作投江殉情的帝舜妻子娥皇與女英，時而成為多情人曹植筆下，可望而不可即的洛神甄後。