THE THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER: PINE, BAMBOO & PLUM BLOSSOM

Celebrated by the Chinese as the Three Friends of Winter (suì hán sān yǒu;歲寒三友), pine, bamboo and plum blossom (Sōng Zhú Méi; 松竹梅), represent Confucian ideals of courage in the face of adversity. The motif was a favorite art subject for scholar-officials, and also decorated objects found in the studios of these men. A popular motif for decorating porcelain, the Three Friends of Winter was adopted by European porcelain manufacturers.