 |
| Netsuke |
| Snuff Bottles |
| Cloisonne |
| Gemstones |
| Peking Glass |
| Porcelain |
| Enamels |
| Ivory, Bone, or ? |
| Cinnabar |
| Yixing Pottery |
| Symbolism |
| Chinese Dynasties |
The various symbols found on Asian works of art have quite a long history. Confusiousism, Taoism, and Buddhism each brought with them a complete set of beliefs, legends, and superstitions. To even attempt a complete listing would be a lifetime project. What we have done instead was to go through our inventory of Snuff Bottles and research the meaning of each, compile the information we found, and present it here. We are continually adding to this section as we acquire new designs and find there meaning. If you have a design that you cannot figure out based on the information on our website, email us a picture and we will look it up for you. If we cant figure it out, we will forward it to our friends in Asia.
| Badger & Magpie | May you experience great happiness | Basket of Fruit or Flowers | One of the Eight Immortals |
| Bats | Good Luck. 2 Bats together means double good fortune. 5 Bats means The Five Blessings: long life, wealth, health, virtue, and a natural death | Butterflies | With Plum Blossoms symbolizes Long Life and Beauty. With a Cat means wish to live to 70 or 80 years |
| Bear / Panda | Man | Carp | Advantage or Benefit in Business |
| Cicada | Immortality, Life after Death | Cock | Reliability / Red Cock protects your house from fire |
| Crane | Longevity | Cricket | Fighting Spirit |
| Deer | Riches | Dove | Fidelity |
| Dragon | Male Vigor and Fertility, also the symbol for The Emperor | Dragon & Phoenix | Man and Wife |
| Duck | Married Bliss | Duck in Reeds | May you do well on your exams |
| Eagle | Strength | Eagle on a rock in Sea | Hero |
| Elephant | Strength and Astuteness | Riding an Elephant | Happiness |
| Fish | Wealth | Fisherman | One of the 4 Basic Occupations |
| Goose | Married Bliss | Heron with Lotus Flowers | May your path be upward |
| Endless Knot | Long Life without Setbacks | Lotus | Purity |
| Magnolia | Beautiful Woman | Onion | Clever |
| Ox / Water Buffalo | Coming of Spring | Peach | Longevity |
| Peacock | Dignity and Beauty | Phoenix | The Five Human Qualities: Virtue, Duty, Correct Behavior, Humanity, Reliability |
| Pine Trees | Longevity, Steadfastness, and Self-Discipline | Quail | Courage |
| Sheep | Yang...The Male Principle | Snake | The Woman |
| Tiger | Courage and Bravery | Tortoise | Longevity & Immortality |
| Yin | The Female Principle | Yang | The Male Principle |