Three Friends of Winter
Encyclopedia
The Three Friends of Winter, also known as Suihan Sanyou, are the pine
, bamboo
, and plum. Every year, as the cold days deepen into the winter season, many plants begin to wither. That the pine, bamboo and plum do not was noted by the Chinese. Known by them as Three Friends of Winter, they entered the conventions of East Asian art. Together they symbolize perseverance, integrity and modesty. They are highly regarded in Confucianism
and as such represent the scholar-gentleman's ideal. The accompanying text on the late Qing Dynasty
stele illustrated below comments on this association.
The three are first recorded as appearing together in a ninth century poem by the Tang Dynasty
poet Zhu Qingyu (朱慶餘). The Song Dynasty artist Zhao Mengjian (趙孟堅, c.1199-1264), among others of the time, made this grouping popular in painting. The actual term "Three Friends of Winter" can be traced back to the earliest known mention in literature, the Record of the Five-cloud Plum Cottage (五雲梅舍記) from The Clear Mountain Collection (霽山集) by the Song Dynasty writer Lin Jingxi (林景熙, 1242-1310):
It will depend on the artifact involved exactly how the three plants are represented artistically. In many cases sprigs are superimposed to form a unified design. In others the plants are divided among artifacts displayed close together, as on separate scrolls; on wooden panels within buildings; and on contiguous screens, as in the example by Yamamoto Baiitsu below. In the representations on Imari porcelain
from Japan only portions of the plants are unified on the medallion in dishes but can be treated more fully round the side of taller vessels.
The motif was later used by those in the West influenced by Eastern culture. Among these was Helen Hyde
in her Japanese style woodblock print of 1913. Titled Three friends of winter, it depicts a young Japanese girl carrying a potted bonsai
garden. More recently the composer David Loeb wrote three linked pieces under this title for the Lao bamboo mouth organ (khaen), flute, guitar, cello and percussion (2004).
The title has also been taken up recently by a number of jazz musicians. It is used for a track by the jazz fusion Italian guitarist, Francesco Bruno, on his El Lugar album (2002). On this he coaxes out the sound of an oriental plucked instrument from his electronic guitar. In Australia the Tim Stevens Trio has performed a free jazz improvisation in his suite titled Three friends in winter (2006). Finally the English Kevin Kendle has a track titled "Three Friends of Winter" on his album The Mandarin’s Garden (2010), which is meant to accompany oriental and other new-age therapies
.
In other weathers the three sometimes have contrary meanings. Since the pine withstands the wind it symbolises endurance, whereas the bamboo bends with the wind and survives in that contrasting way. Plum blossom, however, is scattered by the spring breeze and in that context symbolises the transitoriness of life and beauty. So, in a Korean poem by Kim Yuki (1580-1658), the three friends are brought together in order to underline the paradoxical contrast:
In Japan the three plants are known as 'the three auspicious friends' and are particularly associated with the start of the (lunar) New Year, appearing on greeting cards and as a design stamped into seasonal sweets.
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
, bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
, and plum. Every year, as the cold days deepen into the winter season, many plants begin to wither. That the pine, bamboo and plum do not was noted by the Chinese. Known by them as Three Friends of Winter, they entered the conventions of East Asian art. Together they symbolize perseverance, integrity and modesty. They are highly regarded in Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
and as such represent the scholar-gentleman's ideal. The accompanying text on the late Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
stele illustrated below comments on this association.
Cultural Use
The Three Friends of Winter are common in works of Chinese art and those cultures inflenced by it. Up to the present day they are to be found together in painting, literature and garden design and are also much used on textiles and ceramics.The three are first recorded as appearing together in a ninth century poem by the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
poet Zhu Qingyu (朱慶餘). The Song Dynasty artist Zhao Mengjian (趙孟堅, c.1199-1264), among others of the time, made this grouping popular in painting. The actual term "Three Friends of Winter" can be traced back to the earliest known mention in literature, the Record of the Five-cloud Plum Cottage (五雲梅舍記) from The Clear Mountain Collection (霽山集) by the Song Dynasty writer Lin Jingxi (林景熙, 1242-1310):
- "For his residence, earth was piled to form a hill planted with a hundred plum trees, which along with lofty pines and tall bamboo comprise the friends of winter." (即其居累土為山，種梅百本，與喬松，脩篁為歲寒友。)
It will depend on the artifact involved exactly how the three plants are represented artistically. In many cases sprigs are superimposed to form a unified design. In others the plants are divided among artifacts displayed close together, as on separate scrolls; on wooden panels within buildings; and on contiguous screens, as in the example by Yamamoto Baiitsu below. In the representations on Imari porcelain
Imari porcelain
Imari porcelain is the name for Japanese porcelain wares made in the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyūshū. They were exported to Europe extensively from the port of Imari, Saga between latter half of 17th century and former half of 18 th century, Japanese as well as the...
from Japan only portions of the plants are unified on the medallion in dishes but can be treated more fully round the side of taller vessels.
The motif was later used by those in the West influenced by Eastern culture. Among these was Helen Hyde
Helen Hyde
Helen Hyde was an American etcher and engraver. She is best known for her color etching process and woodblock prints reflecting Japanese women and children characterizations.-Life:...
in her Japanese style woodblock print of 1913. Titled Three friends of winter, it depicts a young Japanese girl carrying a potted bonsai
Bonsai
is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. Similar practices exist in other cultures, including the Chinese tradition of penjing from which the art originated, and the miniature living landscapes of Vietnamese hòn non bộ...
garden. More recently the composer David Loeb wrote three linked pieces under this title for the Lao bamboo mouth organ (khaen), flute, guitar, cello and percussion (2004).
The title has also been taken up recently by a number of jazz musicians. It is used for a track by the jazz fusion Italian guitarist, Francesco Bruno, on his El Lugar album (2002). On this he coaxes out the sound of an oriental plucked instrument from his electronic guitar. In Australia the Tim Stevens Trio has performed a free jazz improvisation in his suite titled Three friends in winter (2006). Finally the English Kevin Kendle has a track titled "Three Friends of Winter" on his album The Mandarin’s Garden (2010), which is meant to accompany oriental and other new-age therapies
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
.
Cultural Symbolism
Culturally, pine, bamboo, and plum are regarded as linked in the context of winter because they flourish together at that season. For this reason they are commonly known as the Three Friends of Winter or referred to simply by their linked names: Song Zhu Mei (松竹梅) in Chinese, transliterated as Sho Chiku Bai in Japanese (literally "pine, bamboo, plum"). The pine and plum-blossom add their fragrance to the cold air and are therefore valued as bringers of distinction to adverse conditions. This is further emphasised by the evergreen qualities of pine and bamboo, added to the early flowering of the plum while snow is still on the ground, and makes of them symbols of perseverance and integrity. In this connection, they also symbolise longevity: bamboo and pine because of their evergreen quality, plum blossom because it reappears on the age-old branches.In other weathers the three sometimes have contrary meanings. Since the pine withstands the wind it symbolises endurance, whereas the bamboo bends with the wind and survives in that contrasting way. Plum blossom, however, is scattered by the spring breeze and in that context symbolises the transitoriness of life and beauty. So, in a Korean poem by Kim Yuki (1580-1658), the three friends are brought together in order to underline the paradoxical contrast:
- Peach and plum of springtime, don't flaunt your pretty blossoms;
- Consider rather the old pine and green bamboo at year's end.
- What can change these noble stems and their flourishing evergreen?
In Japan the three plants are known as 'the three auspicious friends' and are particularly associated with the start of the (lunar) New Year, appearing on greeting cards and as a design stamped into seasonal sweets.
See also
- Four GentlemenFour GentlemenThe Four Gentlemen, also called the Four Noble Ones, in Chinese art refers to four plants: the orchid, the bamboo, the chrysanthemum, and the plum blossom. The term compares the four plants to Confucianist junzi, or "gentlemen"...
- Chinese artChinese artChinese art is visual art that, whether ancient or modern, originated in or is practiced in China or by Chinese artists or performers. Early so-called "stone age art" dates back to 10,000 BC, mostly consisting of simple pottery and sculptures. This early period was followed by a series of art...
- Chinese paintingChinese paintingChinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The earliest paintings were not representational but ornamental; they consisted of patterns or designs rather than pictures. Early pottery was painted with spirals, zigzags, dots, or animals...
- Chinese literatureChinese literatureChinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
- Chinese gardenChinese gardenThe Chinese garden, also known as a Chinese classical garden, is a style of landscape garden which has evolved for more than three thousand years, and which is inspired by Chinese literature, Chinese painting and Chinese philosophy...