Flower vases
In Chinese, the word for vase sounds like peace, so a vase is a wish.
Three shapes worth knowing
Meiping
Small mouth, high shoulders. It began as a wine bottle. The later name says the mouth fits one plum branch.
Yuhuchun
A pear shape with a slim neck and flared lip. It served as a wine vessel in the Song, then stayed a classic form for centuries.
Guanyin vase
Tall and graceful: a Qing form said to echo the vase carried by the bodhisattva Guanyin. It looks best with one tall stem.
East vase, west mirror: peace and calm in one hall.
Choosing a vase
Flower vases
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
What does a vase symbolize in Chinese culture?
Peace. The word for vase, ping, sounds like the word for peace. Some old homes set a vase on the east of the hall table and a mirror on the west.
What is a meiping vase?
A meiping is a Chinese vase with a small mouth, high shoulders and a tapered body. It held wine in the Song dynasty. Today it holds a single branch or stands empty.
Can I put water in a Chinese vase?
Yes, if it is glazed inside and has no cracks. Crackle glaze and old pieces can seep, so use a glass liner and keep them off bare wood.
