Three Friends of Winter (suihan sanyou - 歳寒三友)

The Three Friends of Winter, represent for the Chinese the bamboo, plum flower and pine. All three grow in winter unlike other plants. This symbol is very respected in Confucianism and in Japan.

 

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Japanese fan with 'three friends of Winter' symbolic [source]
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Japanese embroyded cloth with'three friends of Winter' symbolic [source]

 

 

 

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