Three Friends in Winter

岁寒三友

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Pines, bamboos, and plum blossoms (prunus) form the ‘Three Friends in Winter’ (岁寒三友) motif. The early blossoming plum is the harbinger of spring; the bamboo bends in wind but does not break; and the pine needles remain green throughout the harsh winter. They all symbolise moral integrity and friendship in difficult times and have been cherished by generations of Chinese literati (scholar-officials).

Related story regarding plum blossom:

Meng Haoran Looking for Plum Blossom on a Snowy Day 孟浩然踏雪寻梅

Acknowledgement:

Fig 1: porcelain dish, Jiajing mark and period (1522–66), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Fig 2: blue-and-white porcelain bowl, Yongle period (1403–25), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Fig 3: ‘Three Friends in Winter’, ink on paper, Zhao Mengjian 赵孟坚 (1199–1264), courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Fig 4: porcelain bowl with underglaze blue decoration, Xuande period (1426–35), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Fig 5: scroll, ‘Three Friends in Winter’, ink on paper, Wen Zhengming 文征明 (1470–1559), courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Fig 6: porcelain dish, Jiajing period (1522–66), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Fig 7: mei porcelain vase, Hongwu period (1368–98), Ming dynasty, courtesy of Nanjing Museum

Fig 8-10: famille verte biscuit bamboo grove brushpot, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of The Jie Rui Tang Collection

Fig 11-13: porcelain jar, Yongzheng period (1723–35), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the British Museum, London

Fig 14: glass snuff-bottle, Qianlong period (1736–95), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Fig 15: falangcai enamelled bowl, Qianlong period (1736–95), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

Fig 16: porcelain basin, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei