Plum Blossom in Spring Serving Tray

Plum Blossom in Spring is a Chinese brush painting in traditional "gongbi" style. Watercolor and ink on Xuan rice paper. Plum blossom (Chinese name mai-hua, 梅花) are the most beloved flower in China. The Chinese see its blossoms as both a symbol of winter as well as a harbinger of spring. Plum Blossom is well known as its purity, strength and modesty. It is one of the famous Chinese traditional flowers. In the dead of winter, plum blossom blooms earlier than other flowers, and therefore it is an early sign of spring. Folk people regard plum blossom as an auspicious symbol and the herald of spring. Plum blossom symbolize five blessings. Happiness, luck, longevity, success and peace, for this meaning comes from that plum blossom have five petals and its other name in China tradition is the five blessing flower. Together with bamboo, orchid, and chrysanthemum, these four plants are considered as the four gentlemen in Chinese culture. When they are displayed together they symbolize the four seasons, the plum blossom for winter, the orchid for spring, the bamboo for summer and the chrysanthemum for autumn. In Japan you have Sakura the cherry blossom time. Quite similar like the Chinese plum blossom festival. I just love the beauty of the blossom combined with bamboo.