Page 390 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

V

Vase
V
Vase

ping

‘Bottle’ and ‘vase’ have the same written character in Chinese; furthermore, this
character is phonetically identical with ping = peace, and this, together with the wide
variety of plants, flowers, etc., which one can put in a vase, gives rise to a rich field of
symbolism. Thus, a picture showing the flowers of the four seasons in a vase,
expresses the wish that the recipient may enjoy peace at all times; while three
halberds in the vase, with a mouth organ close by, signify ‘(May you) rise
peacefully to the three highest grades!’
Formerly, a special role fell to the so-called ‘treasure-vase’ (bao-ping). Filled with the
‘five nourishing fruits’ (wu-guo) – that is to say, millet, wheat, sorghum and two kinds of
beans – it formed part of a fertility rite held during the marriage

Pine and plum-tree twigs with narcissi in a vase: ‘Evergreen life, love,
good fortune and peace!’