Painted to Order. This painting is loaded with Chinese symbols for all things abundance and good fortune and well-being. Let your eye rest on each of them and reflect on how they each may apply to your own inner life. The toad is a folk symbol of wealth and prosperity, and often comes bearing gold coins, and so is considered a lucky animal. As a lunar, “yin” (or intuitive) creature, however, it is also brings the gift of deep insight – into others as well our own selves. And that is worth more than gold.

Other symbols of good fortune can be found in the persimmons, the cat, and the cricket. Persimmons, for example, represent good luck, longevity, and kindness. When found in twos, they indicate that “things go smoothly” for you now.

Meanwhile, the beautiful song and warrior spirit of the cricket has been revered for thousands of years. Considered a lucky charm, live crickets were sometimes kept in wooden boxes like a pet and given as gifts to people moving into a new home. They symbolize longevity, wealth, and abundance; and are thought to attract happiness to a household as well.

Cats disperse evil spirits with their keen eyesight and night vision. And their purr is scientifically proven to lower blood pressure in humans and help them live longer, happier lives. Cats are another classic symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture.

Pomegranates traditionally reflect “fertility” in the Buddhist tradition, often quite literally, in terms of how many children a family hopes to have. However, I have included it here more broadly, as more general kind of fertility – of the body, mind, and spirit. With these in alignment, no patch of ground, no life, is truly infertile.

So by now, you are feeling pretty lucky. What more could there be? How about honor, beauty, reputation, and good standing?  Peonies are thought of as the “King of Flowers,” and represent all these things, as well as draw them to you.

Finally, cherry blossoms arc over all of it: they symbolize springtime, renewal, and love, yes. But they also remind us of the fleeting nature of life. “This, too, shall pass, as all things must.” We can get down about that, or we can recognize that it is the very fleetingness of it all which lends it such an exquisite, almost unbearable sweetness. And knowing that, would you have it any other way? Be honest now, would you?

Original artwork only, and painted to order, PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY PIECE WILL BE UNIQUE TO YOU. This large scroll is a real statement piece, measuring 59.5 x 23.5 inches.

Scrolls are hand-crafted of the finest materials - silk brocade, wooden rods, and rice paper - and are convenient to handle, store and hang. Colors may vary over time (due to what is available from the supplier), but all are neutral from afar and complement any wall color and decor. Contact me to find out what colors are available now. Chances are good that you can get the color you want or something close to it.