Bo-gu Pillar Wall Panel

Flower Vase: The Chinese word "vase," pronounced as 'ping,' sounds like the word 'ping-an' or "safe and sound." It is always shown together with the flowers to imply "safe, sound all the year." Plate of Flowers: The "fragrant flowers, lamps and fruits" are offered to show the sincerity and reverence for the gods to pray for all beings to lead " a safe and sound and blessed life." Pomegranate: It has many seeds to symbolize many sons, many children and many blessings. Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Bo-gu Pillar Wall Panel

Flower Vase: The word "vase' reads 'ping,' and sounds like the word 'ping-an' meaning "safe and sound." Shown with the flowers of the four seasons, it implies "safe and sound all the year." Pomegranate: A pomegranate has many seeds to symbolize many children, because both the Chinese characters "seed and sons" are pronounced the same as 'zi.' Ru-yi: A wand, a Ru-yi, literally, "as you wish," is one of the "8 Treasures" -a duster, a gourd, a rhino horn seal, a jade cup, a string of beads, a vase, a scroll of Buddhism Sutra, and a sword, always with flowers and vases. This work uses several flowers and a Ru-yi to go with a pomegranate to imply "safe and sound as you wish" and "many seeds, many children." Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Bo-gu Pillar Wall Panel

Cup: A cup is seen with a persimmon and a finger citron, meaning "nothing is comparable to the joy with a cup in hand." A persimmon is for joy given its red color and, 'fo shou,' or Buddha's hand is a finger citron with the gesture of grasping money symbolizing wealth and divine protection.'' Tea Pot: Teapot as 'hu' sounds like the word 'fu' meaning "happiness or blessing.'' Banana: A banana, pronounced as 'jiao,' meaning "call something to grow and prosper." Parabola: A parabola called 'yang-tao,' contains a "peach" or 'tao,' as a symbol of "long life." Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Bo-gu Pillar Wall Panel

Long-life Peach: In ancient times, a peach or 'tao.' is a symbol of long life. The God of Longevity is often seen holding or sitting on a peach. A story in the time of Han Dynasty King Wu writes," ... a rarely obtainable peach could only produce a seed, sounding like "child,'' every 3,000 years.'' The Book of God of Agriculture calls it "jade peach ... eating it makes people immortal." Flower Vase: The word "vase" sounds as 'ping' in the word "ping-an," which means, "safe and sound." A flower vase, seen with 4-seasons flowers, implying so "the year around." Peach: A peach of "long life" with flowers to mean "evergreen, and safe and sound." Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Bo-gu Pillar Wall Panel

Duster : A duster, along with a gourd, a rhino horn seal or a jade cup, a string of beads, a vase, a scroll of Buddhism Sutra, a sword, a ru-yi or "as you wish" - that is, "8 precious things.'' It implies," good luck, best wishes," as gods and Buddha are there with powers to ward off evil. Peacock Feathers: A peacock, commonly known as "Civilized Bird," has good manners and a clear voice. Its plume is worn at the back of an official, as an emblem of a high ranking position. This work shows the curling-up of an incense burner meaning the prosperity of the temple which attracts an ever-increasing number of worshipers. Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple