Table 1 The Chinese porcelain inlay symbolism of common plant and flower themes

Peony

The flowers are large with bright colors

The petals are stacked in multiple layers with irregular edges, and the flowers have exaggerated proportions. A single flower has more than two colors, often appearing in pieces

Among the flowers, peony ranks first and is known as the “King of Flowers”. Liu Yuxi wrote, “Only peonies are the true national beauty, and they move the capital when they bloom”. They symbolize wealth, good luck, prosperity, and national beauty

Camellia

The leaves are green and bright, the flowers are luxuriant, dignified and elegant

The flowers are larger and more regular, rich in color, with various petals in various shapes, regular edges, and arranged in a spiral around the center point

Camellia is one of the ten most famous flowers in China. Gui Youguang praised it as “Although it has a rich and noble appearance, it is not voluptuous. It will wither in the cold years, and it will be like the spring breeze”. It symbolizes humility, virtue, and prudence

Chrysanthemum

There are many types, each with a long flowering period, bright flowers, and alternating leaves

There are various varieties of chrysanthemums in Chinese porcelain inlays. The porcelain inlay is tapered and has a gathering shape in the center

Chrysanthemums are known as “hermits among flowers” because of Tao Yuanming’s poem “Pick chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely see the Nan Mountains”, which means good luck and longevity, rapid success, high moral integrity, and integrity. Combined with plum, orchid, and bamboo, it is called the “four gentlemen” among flowers

Plum blossom

The bark is light gray or greenish, and the flowers are fragrant and bloom before the leaves

The flowers are small, spiral around the stamens, and appear in clusters. The flowers are visible, but not the leaves. Chinese porcelain inlay craftsmen sometimes paste some leaves to enrich the picture

“The Book of Songs” says, “There are beautiful flowers in the mountains, and plum blossoms and plum blossoms are waiting for them”. The plum blossom is the first of the “Four Gentlemen” among the flowers. Together with the pine and bamboo, it is also known as the “Three Friends of the Winter”. It stands proud in the snow and frost, which symbolizes the character of a scholar, elegance and purity, five blessings, good news, and peace

Lotus

The stems are long and thick, the leaves are round, and the petal ends are slightly pointed or blunt

The flowers are large and have many gradient colors. They are generally used as the main theme of Chinese porcelain inlay decoration

The lotus is a symbol of Buddhism. It is said that “the flower blooms to see the Buddha’s nature”, symbolizing the four virtues of Buddha’s Dharma: happiness, self, and purity. Zhou Dunyi wrote a poem describing that it “comes out of the mud but is not stained, washes the ripples cleanly but is not evil”. The lotus is beautiful but not vulgar, symbolizing holiness, wealth, and good luck