Plum Tree"A few branches of a plum tree in bloom. Defying frost, they quietly unfold their flowers. In the distance, it is clear it can't be snow. A sweet fragrance comes from somewhere." - Wang An-shih, 11 th century. This poem describes the blossom of the plum tree, East Asia's favorite symbol of the early years in a young girl's life. Its delicate flowers begin to appear even before the tree unfolds its leaves. In China, the plum tree stands for the five gods of good luck (wuJu). The three trees - the pine tree, the bamboo, and the plum tree - comprise the three friends of winter, because none of them dies, all three are dependable, and they begin to bloom even before spring starts. The blossom of the plum tree has symbolic meaning in several areas. A flowering branch from a plum tree arranged in a bowl or vase is like a messenger of spring. Applications:
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