The symbolism of birds and flowers has been used as a visual language in China for many centuries to express wishes and aspirations, as well as reflecting the traditional Chinese view of the world.
Like classical decoration in the West, bird-and-flower decoration provides a kind of symbolic ‘scaffolding’ for Chinese art and design. By using a combination of symbols, an object can create a certain meaning, or a room can be given a particular atmosphere.
In Chinese art, a peony is never just a peony, it is also ‘honour’. Likewise, a gnarled pine tree stands for ‘long life’. When the pine is combined with the bamboo and the plum, they are known as the ‘three friends of winter’. Since all three plants stay green or flower during the cold months, they convey a sense of perseverance and grace under pressure.