Plants and fruits
- And what they symbolizes
- Bamboo - Zhu - longevity. Never loosing its leafs, bamboo is a symbol of old age, endurance and modesty. Bamboo and plums together represent man and wife. Bamboo, pine and plum tree seen together are the "Three Friends of the Winter".
- Basket of Flowers - is the emblem of Lan Ts'ai-bo of "The Eight Immortals". Also a symbol of old age.
- Finger Citron has the appearance of a hand, hence it is a symbol of Buddha's Hand in the gesture of grasping money, a sign of wealth. Also represents divine protection. Finger citron in Chinese is pronounced as "fo shou". "fo" sounds very much like "fu" which means happiness. "shou" is the word for long life.
- Fungus (Sacred - lingzhi) - immortality and longevity.
- Gourd - mystery, necromancy, longevity, science, medicine, science of magic. A charm to ward off evil influence. Is the emblem of - Li Tieguai - of "The Eight Immortals".
- Lily - Bai-He - helps you to forget your troubles. It is also known to bring sons and is thus often given to a woman at marriage.
- Lotus - Lian-Hua, He - Thanks to the Buddhist influence, the lotus (or sea-rose) is of unique importance in Chinese folklore and symbolism. It is the symbol of purity and one of the eight Buddhist precious things. The lotus comes out of the mire but is not itself soiled. It is inwardly empty yet outwardly upright. It has no branches (no family/offsprings) but yet smells sweet. The words for lotus in Chinese have the same meanings as: to bind, connect (in marriage), one after the other, uninterrupted, to love, and modesty.
- Peach - Tao - most if all immortality and long life. The God of Longevity is often shown holding or sitting on a peach. Peaches are the fruit of which the drug of imortalitu are prepared of. Also Marriage and spring.
- Pear - Li - purity, justice, wise and benevolent administration. Longevity, due to the fact that pear trees live very long.
- Peony - Mu-Dan - Queen of Flowers, the peony is a emblem of wealth and distinction.
- Persimmon - Joy, due to its red color.
- Pine - Song - symbol of endurance and longevity. The favorite tree of Chinese painters. Pine trees rank above all other trees and epitomizes self-discipline and steadfastness. In Daoism its twisted stem and bransches are admired as their patterns reminds of the twistings of the life forces. The plum tree, pine, and bamboo are the "Three Friends in Winter".
- Plum - Mei, Li - The plum tree, pine, and bamboo are the "Three Friends in Winter".
- Pomegranate - many seeds - many children.
- Willow Liu - spring and female beauty.
