Three Friends: Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
Because of their ability to thrive even in the harshness of winter, pine, bamboo, and plum together embody steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience. Pine and bamboo are evergreen, while plum trees blossom at the end of winter, signaling the approach of spring. Representing the ideal characteristics of a scholar-gentleman, the trio came to be known as the Three Friends of Winter. They stood as symbols of hope and sheer determination, encouraging perseverance in the face of adversity. Consequently, these three symbols of virtue became a popular theme in Chinese painting, poetry, and calligraphy throughout the ages. Displayed here are a range of stylistic forms and expressions that reflect the ways in which different artists experience and portray the Three Friends.
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BambooBamboo, 1613
Ming dynasty, 1368–1644
Chinese
Gui Changshi 歸昌世, 1574–1645 -
Pure Serenity of Green Bamboo (綠竹清幽圖)Pure Serenity of Green Bamboo (綠竹清幽圖), 1342
Yuan dynasty, 1260–1368
Chinese
Wang Yuan 王淵, active 1310–1350 -
Bamboo in SnowBamboo in Snow, 1722
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Zhu Sheng, ca. 1680–ca. 1750 -
Flock of Cranes and Pines (Qunhe chaosong)Flock of Cranes and Pines (Qunhe chaosong), undated
Ming dynasty, 1368–1644
Chinese
Anonymous -
Plum BranchPlum Branch, undated
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Peng Yulin 彭玉麟, 1816–1890 -
PlumPlum, undated
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912 | Modern period, 1912–present
Chinese
Ma Lin 馬麟, attributed to, active ca. 1180–after 1256 -
Plum BlossomsPlum Blossoms, ca. 1705–07
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Shitao 石濤, 1642–1707 -
Plum BlossomsPlum Blossoms, ca. 1705–07
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Shitao 石濤, 1642–1707 -
Plum BlossomsPlum Blossoms, ca. 1705–07
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Shitao 石濤, 1642–1707 -
Plum BlossomsPlum Blossoms, ca. 1705–07
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Shitao 石濤, 1642–1707 -
Plum BlossomsPlum Blossoms, ca. 1705–07
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Shitao 石濤, 1642–1707 -
Plum BlossomsPlum Blossoms, ca. 1705–07
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
Chinese
Shitao 石濤, 1642–1707
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