A Ming Dynasty Blue-and-White Deer Plate

A prevailing theme and commonly used design during the Wanli period is “pines and deer toast to one’s longevity.” Pine remains green through tough winters, and legend says that eating the sap from a 1,000-year-old pine gives immortality. The words for ‘deer’ and ‘happiness and prosperity’ are homophones. Deer, which sometimes accompany the immortals, also signify longevity, as does the peach.

Deer and pine trees represent ‘ever-green through the ages’. The design conveys a wish for life-long vitality and health. Pine is well-known for its tough endurance. Deer (lu) are associated with happiness and prosperity (lu) because the words are homophones. Deer came to represent wealth because the Chinese word 鹿 lu for ‘deer’ is a homophone of 禄 lu for ‘official income’ or ‘emolument’.