There was a constant expectation in China newly married couples must produce sons soon after they married to uphold cultural imperatives which Bartholomew (p.58) writes to “…perpetuate the family name and to continue to worship ancestors. To have no such descendant is considered the greatest sin against filial piety. In ancient China, a man would have a good excuse to bring in a concubine if his wife was proven to be barren.” So, a woman’s marriage bed was sprinkled with nuts, seeds, and fruits all of which are fertility symbols. The pomegranate (shilui) is a symbol of fertility and fecundity due to its numerous seeds and many seeds inside it expresses the homophonic wish for 100 sons (liukai baizi). The carp and other fish is a symbol for an abundance of children because they produce many eggs while a pair symbolizes a harmonious marriage. The Chinese word for chestnut is a homophone for “establishing” “sons” or “children” and, therefore, is a good luck symbol for creating a family. Chopsticks symbolize the hope for newlyweds to have children quickly, because it is a homophone for combination “fast” and “sons.” A pair of ducks symbolize fidelity and conjugal affection. The word for dumpling is a wish for a large family because it is homophone for “having o have sexual intercourse” combined with “son” or “child” and dumplings stuffed with dates express a hope for the “early” birth of sons. A fish also represents fertility in marriage since it reproduces rapidly and a pair represent happiness in marriage for life. The frog is a symbol of fertility because it since it is a homophone for the word for baby. The peanut symbolizes the wish for many children because its second character is a homophone for giving birth. The Chinese word for pumpkin sounds like the word for “boy” and symbolizes a wish for sons. The rat symbolizes fertility, abundance and wealth because of its reproductive abilities. A reed pipe (sheng 笙) has the hidden meaning of “to give birth” because it has the same pronunciation as the Chinese word “to give birth.” The ox symbolizes springtime, harvest and fertility. Dumplings stuffed with dates express a hope for the “early” birth of sons, and there are many more.
Sources:
Terese Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006.
Patricia Bjaaland Welch, Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery, Rutland, Tuttle Publishing, 2008.
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Lost-wax one of a kind brass Nandi figurine on a high pedestal, is incised with decorative detailed adornments on his head and neck with beautiful patina from long daily use in home Hindu pujas.
This carved food offering was an auspicious bed ornament to bring the lucky couple prosperity, health, a long life and many sons as the pomegranate symbolizes fertility, the peaches longevity. Carved offerings were often wedding gifts.
The auspicious symbols on this charming document holder which are puns for “harmony and unity in marriage” indicate it was it was probably a wedding gift. And would serve that purpose admirably today as a decorative practical accessory and something you won’t find on a wedding registry.
Chopsticks are ubiquitous in Chinese culture, and are often included in a bride’s dowry as a wish for a speedy arrival of many sons. This Shiwan ware green glazed wall pocket chopsticks holder has characters wishing for many sons and grandsons and an upside down bat holding a coin for “blessings in front of your eyes.”
Decorative utilitarian Shiwanware pieces are recognized for their fine modeling, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Chopsticks were commonly stored in wall pockets with a hole for mounting. Covered with auspicious symbols, they were often part of a bride’s dowry as “chopsticks” is a pun for “speedy arrival of sons.”
Wall pockets remain a very common decorative element in Asian homes. In China, they are used to hold chopsticks and flowers to bring good fortune to a space where the family gathers. This Shiwan stoneware pocket has 2 very auspicious symbols: a frog and a lotus that symbolize nurturing energy and transformation. With a hole in the back for hanging on a wall, it is great addition to enhance a kitchen’s coziness and feng shui and a wonderful wedding gift.
This intricately hand carved gold and silver platter with indentations on both sides was used to make confections called sweetmeats eaten at festivals, holidays, and other key celebrations. The round molds symbolize the moon and cohesion of the family. The 5-petal plum blossoms attached to vines symbolize purity and endurance, as well as the coming of spring, renewal, and longevity. The multiple seeds are a wish for fertility and sons, and thus this mold may have been a holiday and/or marriage gift to a young couple.
Antique carving of a Devi (Sanskrit: divine) probably a child’s toy and and protective item. Tikka on forehead, ample breasts – a wish for fertility with a shiny patina from use.
This finely detailed hardwood mold was used to make sweetmeats confections, perhaps mooncakes for the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival. It is covered with deeply carved propitious symbols for marital harmony, sons and successful endeavors: a four clawed dragon for fertility, two ducks symbolizing marital bliss and harmony, one atop a carp for conjugal bliss and achieving noble rank and a boat with a sail for making all this easy sailing. This would be a great accessory or gift (especially for weddings) to spice up any kitchen.
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