Page 138 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

1 06 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

is less patronized by fine writers, but the value of its wood and
bark is well understood."
Cedak. — " Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 275 : " The nan muh,
southern wood, a kind of cedar, which resists time and insects,
is considered peculiarly valuable, and especially reserved for
use and
imperial buildings."
The Mulberry Tree is largely cultivated in certain pro-
vinces that rear silkworms, and in these it is
heavily pruned,
with a view to its producing leaves and not fruit.
GutzlafT, vol. i. p. 48 : " Mulberry trees grow to the highest
and in the
perfection, greatest variety."
The mulberry, among other things, is emblematic of the
comforts of home, as also of Mencius, in
industry. speaking
of the advantages of peace, says the mulberry trees could
be attended to. It was supposed that the mulberry would
flourish in the Middle Kingdom, and was, therefore, con-
only
sidered to the native soil. for a mother,
represent HTmourning
the Chinese carry a staff made from a branch of the mulberry
tree ; while for a father, bamboo or ash is used. Sometimes
we find drawings of bamboo and mulberry trees, symbols of
filial
piety.
Peach Tree. — 213 : " Tao, the tree. An
Mayers, p. peach
emblem of marriage and symbol of longevity. Much of the
allegorical character with which this tree is invested, is derived
from an ' Ode of the She King,' commencing, ' Graceful, O
and are
graceful yon peach tree stands, blooming bright its
blossoms. This maiden comes to her (husband's) abode, well
will she order her house and home.' Here the
poet, celebrating
the virtues of a well-chosen consort, likens her in
prince's grace
and to a tree
promise blossoming peach ; and commentators add
that the of the the virtues
blooming elegance peach, symbolizes
of the Still more is the to
princess. prominent position given
the peach tree in the mystical fancies of the Taoists. The most
ancient superstitions of the Chinese attributed magic virtues to
the twigs of the peach (see T'u Yii), and the fabulists of the
Han dynasty added many extravagant details to the legends
already existing. They described the peach tree of the gods
as yielding the fruit of immortality ; and especially was this
the case with the tree which grew near the palace of Si Wang
Mu, and whose fruit ripened but once in three thousand years.