An interesting Chinese symbol representing immortality/eternity, happiness, protection and good fortune:

• rich Chinese families would put a jade cicada in the deceased’s mouth believing that it would immortalize his/her ancestors giving him/her a good life after death
• wearing it represents a symbol of long life, happiness and eternal youth as the cicada is believed to the longest living insect.
• as a protection symbol as the Chinese believed that by wearing an image of the Cicada, the wearer will be warned and protected from danger from unfaithful or jealous friends, business colleagues, scheming bosses and enemies.
• as a symbol of good fortune omen.

The Eight Treasures of Buddhism consist of eight articles which can bring good fortunes.By combining these eight symbols, they bring complete future in term of material and spiritual fortune. Hence these articles are adopted in many Chinese design.

Conch shell:

it is believed that conch shell can produce a beautiful sound like Buddha’s speaking hence it can bring good fortune

Wheel:

it is turning wheel which never ceases, the emblem of birth and death: which indicates that life can exist forever.

Umbrella:

The symbol of protection, the shelters of masses

Canopy:

Symbol of the help from Buddha, it can help the masses against poverty and disease.

Lotus:

symbol of purity. Lotus grows in swamps, stemming from mud but not defiled.

Vase:

the emblem of knowledger and achievement and virtue.

Fish:

usually in pairs, the symbol of strength, happiness and also believed to get rid of evils.

Endless knot:

symbol of longevity.

The eight symbols can also be displayed collectively as paintings on walls or drawn as eight separate objects and then embroidered onto heavy materials to be used in front of rooms as door coverings, as room dividers and as screens.

These eight objects are also used as feng shui tools. Some examples are:

• wall hangings with these eight objects remedies bad feng shui of doors being placed one after another in a straight line. Used as a door curtain which transform fast moving shar chi to slow down
• as a room divider /wall hanging embroidered with these eight objects eg if the door is too close to the staircase

Grape has flourishing leaves and clusters of fruits. The Buddhist Scripture said that grape symbolizes an abundant harvest of all food crops.

The Chinese folks use grape as a decorative pattern to indicate good harvest, wealth and longevity.

Peony is a typical traditional Chinese flower with beautiful color and sweet smell. Its long lasting appeal attracts many people.

In the past, many Chinese poets praise the peony. For example in the Tang Dynasty where there was a poetry which denotes peony as ” the Queen of the flowers” whilst in Song Dynasty, there is poetry which named “peony which has a noble character”.

In fact,during the Tang dynasty, every year there is a Peony fair held during their blooming seasons.

Hence peony patterns are often used in Chinese traditional pattern which denotes/express thriving and prosperity, peace and happiness.

Tawny daylily is also called day lily.

It looks like orchid and its corolla is in a funnel shape. Day lily has many different kinds, some of them have 6 to 9 flowers in a stem and has great variety.

Chinese poets regarad it as the plant which willd rive away one’s worries which in Chinese called ” Wang You Cao”

Buddhism regards the Lotus as a paradise where the soul starts. Buddha is often depicted as seated on the lotus hence called the lotus seat.

Lotus symbolize noble character. Since ancient time, Chinese poets have praised lotus because it stems from mud but is not defiled and its stalk grows straight giving an impression of purity.

The twin lotus flowers on one stalk symbolize the longevityand sincere love.

Amongst all flowers, only the lotus’ flowers,fruits and seeds can exist together.

Lotus is regarded as the beauty, love, longevity and purity.

The word “lotus” sounds alike the word “continuous”. In traditional design the lotus symbolize good wish.

Rugosa rose looks very similar to rose and monthly rose. These three are regarded as three outstanding sisters of the rose family.

Rugosa rose is the most common and popular plant in the world. Its heavy fragrance and beautiful color and symbolizing nobility attracted numerous people.

Chrysanthemum is a well known Chinese flower. It blooms in the autumn when all the other flowers are withered. It can stand the chilly weather and the blowing of the autumn wind. It is highly honored for its noble characters.

Many Chinese poets praise chrysanthemum to remind people about ambitions or the character of faithfulness and unyielding.

In the ancient past, chrysanthemum is so well-loved by the Chinese people that from the Song Dynasty there is chrysanthemum fair held every year. In Chinese legend, chrysanthemum is also known as a symbol of longevity.

Chrysanthemum is widely used among the Chinese people to express good wishes.

For examples:

Chrysanthemum and maple leaf has a phrase ” live and work in peace and contentment”;

Chrysanthemum and magpie means ” bring joys to a family”

Chrystanthemum and pine imply “longevity”

Orchid is one of the traditional flowers in China. Orchid is known for its sweet smell. It can be smelled in great distance, if you put a spray of orchid in the room, then the sweet smell will fill up the house.

In China, there is a saying ” the pleasant smell can cover the country”. Another name for orchid is “national sweet”.

Orchid is an evergreen plant and have a very good sharep, looks tall and erect. There is a Chinese expression “its leaves are more beautiful than its flowers”

Its leaves, flowers and sweet smell have four characters (pure color, wonderful style,lasting appeal ) with an impression of nobility and purity.

In the ancient past,the Chinese highly honored it as “the gentleman among all the flowers” Chinese scholars often take it as the symbol of pure friendship.

Pine with bamboo and plum forms the auspicious pattern called “three friends in chilly weather”.

Pine,an evergreen tree is consider to have great vitality and very attractive shape and can stand cold weather. Pine has been high ly praised for its firm and indomitable character.

The Chinese folks use this auspicious pine pattern to symbolize long life and forever young vigor.