Figure 2

Figure 3

In literary and artistic works, lotus is often endowed with auspicious and beautiful meanings, and its spotless character has always been respected by people. Appreciating lotus flowers is a beautiful enjoyment for our mind and vision. Lotus is also a common theme in ancient ceramic works. After the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was very popular to decorate bowls, lamps, bowls, plates and other porcelain surfaces with lotus patterns. After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the use of lotus reached its peak, often combined with animal patterns to express people's different moods and wishes.

Figure 1 shows a pair of Qing Dynasty mandarin duck and cinnamon winter melon jars, with a lid height of 29 cm, a diameter of 9 cm and a bottom diameter of 12.5 cm. The decorative pattern consists of mandarin ducks and lotus flowers. Yuanyang is a kind of waterfowl, which often goes in and out in pairs. In old literary works, it is often used to describe the love between husband and wife. "Bird Classic" contains: "Mandarin ducks lean on each other and love their kind." It is said that mandarin ducks swim in pairs, and their male and female wings cover their necks at night. If you accidentally lose it, it will never be worthy. Lotus seed, lotus seed, even gave birth to your son. "Yuanyang Guizi" means that husband and wife love each other and grow old together. This pair of mandarin ducks and melons has a round body, a bulging belly, fine workmanship and a thick carcass. Two green lotus leaves are like two big umbrellas, with blooming lotus flowers and purple petals next to them, revealing a pointed head and snuggling next to a green lotus flower. Under the lotus leaf, a pair of mandarin ducks are swimming leisurely and freely. The whole picture gives people a beautiful and warm enjoyment.

Figure 2 shows a blue-and-white glazed red Quan Yi dish of Qingganlong, with a diameter of 23cm, which is composed of lotus, reed and heron. Heron, the name of a waterfowl, has a big wing and a short tail, and a long neck and legs. It is active in rivers, lakes or paddy swamps, and there are common egrets and herons. Heron is homophonic with land, Lian is homophonic with Lian, and Lu is homophonic with land. The growth of reeds is often connected by trees, so the homonym "Lianke" takes its meaning. The old imperial examination was called "connecting subjects" in previous examinations, and "connecting subjects all the way" meant success in the examination and smooth career. It is a blessing for the students who rushed for the exam in the imperial examination era, which is very common in Qing dynasty porcelain. This dish is delicate and smooth. There seems to be a breeze blowing in the picture, two wide lotus leaves and clusters of thin reeds swaying with the wind, and a lotus flower is also bent by the wind. One lotus flower is hidden behind the big lotus leaf, the other is half-opened, and the other has just emerged from the water. An egret stands under the lotus, looking into the distance and thinking. The whole picture gives a vivid feeling of antique.

The lotus incense burner shown in Figure 3 is an underglaze red product in Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty, with a height of 9.5 cm and a width of 20.5 cm. In the picture, the lotus is blooming brightly, the lotus leaves are flourishing, a small butterfly is flying among the flowers, and a few reeds seem to add more interest, making people feel a scene full of vitality and fragrance. Lotus, also known as lotus, is regarded as "the sacred flower of Buddhism". Its position in Buddhism is sacred and lofty, and it is widely used in Buddhist art. It stands for "pure land", with boundless clean dust and clouds: "Infinite pure Buddha was born on the lotus in the land of seven treasures; Those who marry lotus flowers are pure and flawless. " Lotus is regarded as a symbol of Buddha in Buddhism, representing auspiciousness, peace and purity. It is an ideal realm beyond the world, and it is a quiet world that does not go along with others.