Impress Your Dinner Partner with a Brief Introduction to Oriental Symbolism

Have you ever sat in an oriental restaurant and wondered why so many of them are decorated in red and gold or why their dinnerware patterns are so flowery? Did you know there is symbolism in the inlayed mother-of-pearl adorning oriental screens and fans? Symbolism in Asian countries has a long history and that symbolism of beliefs, legends and superstitions has become a common theme in oriental restaurant décor in the USA. If you don't know why themes like goldfish, water lilies, willows and mums are often depicted in the artwork hanging in your favorite oriental restaurants, read this article and find fascinating points of trivia to impress your next date.

1 - Colors: The color red is dominate in many Asian traditions and decorating and it symbolizes happiness, marriage and prosperity. It's the color of success and good luck. The color gold is used to depict strength and wealth.

2 - Carp or Fish: When you see a pair of fish in an oriental print or wall hanging they symbolize marriage, tenacity and fertility. Carp can also symbolize advantages in business. Because the word "fish" in the Chinese language sounds similar to "affluence" or "abundance" fish generally depict wealth. Goldfish are viewed as lucky animals.

3 - Mother-of-Pearl: The use of inlay mother-of-pearl (or its fake counterpart) can be found abundantly in fans, black lacquered screens and furniture used to decorate oriental restaurants. It symbolizes the belief that owning mother-of-pearl will attact good fortune and happiness to its owner.

4 - Peonies: The peony is the symbol of wealth and abundance. It also represents spring when they are combined with the three flowers listed below.

5 - Lotus Blossoms: The lotus or water lily is used to symbolize perfection, purity and fruitfulness. Lotus blossoms represent summer when combined with three other floral species. The lotus is also listed as one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols in Buddhism as is a pair of goldfish.

6 - Chrysanthemums: This flower symbolizes the embodiment of fall, long life or duration.

7 - Wild Plums: When used alone, the plum blossom symbolizes long life. When combined with the above three flowers, the wild plum represents winter. In China the five individual petals of the plum blossom each represent an ancestral tribe.

8 - Trees: The willow tree symbolizes meekness and it's believed to have the power to expel evil demons. The sturdy pine tree in oriental symbolism represents self-discipline, longevity and steadfastness. Bamboo, because it's another hardy plant that bends but doesn't break easily, is used to represent strength, longevity and grace. The cherry tree or cherry blossom can symbolize several things: patriotism or pride in the country, the samurai because their lives were short but memorable and it can symbolize femininity or girlhood.

9 - Birds: Anyone who's watched a peacock strut around will understand how this bird came to symbolize dignity and beauty. In Japan and China it was also associated with the goddesses of mercy. Because cranes mate for live, these birds has come to symbolize long marriages or longevity. Doves in oriental décor and artwork present fidelity and longevity.

10 - Pagodas: Pagodas are a tiered tower of multiple eaves and they are often depicted in oriental wall hangings and occasional as miniature, hanging light fixtures in oriental restaurants. The real buildings---for the most part---were built to have a religious function. The finials at the top of are designed as lightening rods and are made with classic symbols like the lily pad incorporated in their design. The sheer height of the buildings and their lightening rods tend to attract a lot of lightening strikes thus adding to the perception that pagodas are spiritually charged places.

The next time you're sitting in an oriental restaurant and the conversation is lagging, remember this article and see if you can impress your dinner partner with a brief introduction to oriental symbolism. ©

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