Shallow bowl with peonies (Pair with B60P1769)

The peony is associated with emperors and high officials. Considered the flower of wealth and honor (fuguihua), its presence is thought to bring prosperity.

The Chinese surround themselves with symbols of wealth in hopes that their businesses will be successful and profitable. The God of Wealth existed long before Buddhism or Taoism became official religions. Chinese people worshipped and made sacrifices to the deity in hopes that he would bring them fortunes.

Prosperity could be accumulated not only from the official salary (the most prestigious means), but also through such things as business ventures and inheritance. The peony symbolizes wealth and honor (mudan, fugui hua), because the flower was first cultivated in the imperial gardens. Wishes for wealth are also represented by gold and silver ingots (used as money in ancient China) and coins or fish (yu), a pun for abundance (yu). Variations on the fish motif include a pond filled with goldfish (jinyu), which signifies a household filled with gold (jin) and jade (yu). This association is one of the reasons many Chinese people keep goldfish in their homes and offices.
HIDDEN MEANING: The flower of prosperity is blooming (fugui huakai)!