Fish bowl with lotus plants

Place of OriginJiangxi province, China

DynastyQing dynasty (1644-1911), Reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722)

MaterialsPorcelain with underglaze blue and red decoration

DimensionsH. 13 1/2 in x Diam. 15 in, H. 34.3 cm x Diam. 38.1 cm

Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection

Object numberB62P89

DepartmentChinese Art

ClassificationsCeramics

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The Auspicious Lotus

The lotus, an aquatic plant, is a popular motif for fish bowls. It is one of the eight Buddhist precious things. The lotus symbolizes purity because it rises from the mud unadulterated. The flower also represents summer because it blooms June through August. Hehua, one of the lotus's names, is a pun for "harmony" (he) so it is a popular motif for a happy marriage, especially when it is combined with mandarin ducks (symbols of fidelity). The lotus has numerous seedpods, a symbol of fruitfulness and many offspring. Lianhua, another name for the lotus is a pun for "continuous" or "successive" (lian)." Coupled with the fish (a symbol for plenty) they form a rebus for continuous abundance year after year.

HIDDEN MEANING: May you continuously have plenty year after year (liannian youyu).