Four Treasures

The Four Treasures of the Scholar’s Studio are the writing brush (bi), ink stick, ink stone and paper. An image of the brush is often used with other images to form a wish. For instance, a brush (bi) with an ingot (ding), a block of gold, silver or another metal, form a rebus (a visual pun) where words represented by picture combinations form a new and different meaning) which in this case approximates the phrase baiding zhongju meaning “you will surely pass the civil service examinations” and become an official, which is very important in China that provides for a family for a long time.