Throughout the Japanese culture, the bamboo, pine and plum are known together as the “Three Friends of Winter.” This combination is a motif of promise and good fortune. Together, they represent the ideals of pure spirit (plum), longevity (pine) and flexibility (bamboo).
The bamboo tree is slender and vulnerable and holds strength.
Good fortune and long life of the pine, which is ever green all year round
Resilience and fortitude of the plum – it survives in winter and blooms early.
Linking this post to
Sunday Stills. This is a photo challenge themed meme. Hosted by Ed of Sunday Stills, the challenge for this week is Trees.
and
Mosaic Monday
Hosted by Mary at the Little Red House
Geogypsy from Chandler, AZ, United States
February 26th, 2012
Wonderful concept in gardening taken from nature.
Geogypsy´s last [type] ..SSS2-Crystal shades
gtyyup from Tehachapi, CA, United States
February 26th, 2012
Very interesting…this is one of the best things about blogging…learning new things and seeing great photos! I didn’t realize bamboo were so tall, and the blossoms make me long for spring~
gtyyup´s last [type] ..Sunday Stills ~ Trees
Kay Davies from Medicine Hat, AB, Canada
February 26th, 2012
So beautiful, Ebie, and educational, too. Thanks!
K
Kay Davies´s last [type] ..Succinctly yours: extend
Barb from Denver, CO, United States
February 26th, 2012
Now I must look for these trees in Denver’s Japanese Garden. Informative post and lovely compositions.
Barb´s last [type] ..Finding My Focus
Dana Doyle from Picayune, MS, United States
February 26th, 2012
Gorgeous photos!!
Sherry in MT from Helena, MT, United States
February 26th, 2012
Great photos but I love that you shared the story. I didn’t know that.
Sherry in MT´s last [type] ..Baja Training, Birthday Girl, Sphero
eileen from Parkton, MD, United States
February 26th, 2012
Ebie, what a lovely post. I love what each tree represents. Your photos are beautiful. Well done!
Lavender Dreams from Ocala, FL, United States
February 26th, 2012
Beautiful photos! I thought it was a cherry tree but this plum tree is even more beautiful! ♥
Lavender Dreams´s last [type] ..“An Art Show” Mosaic Monday
Vee from South Portland, ME, United States
February 26th, 2012
What interesting information about Japanese culture and gardening.
Vee´s last [type] ..Downton Abbey Magnet Mosaic~Mosaic Monday
mary from Raritan, NJ, United States
February 26th, 2012
Oh Ebie, these are so beautiful! We once had the pleasure of visiting a garden with a mature stand of bamboo, and it was simply amazing! Thanks for sharing your talent at MM.
mary´s last [type] ..Mosaic Monday: With a Vintage Feel
Snap from Houston, TX, United States
February 26th, 2012
Ebie, lovely shots. I love that plants, trees, animals have different meanings for different cultures. Have a great week!
Snap´s last [type] ..Blooming in Musashi’s Garden!
Jann Olson from Pleasant Grove, UT, United States
February 26th, 2012
Beautiful! I enjoyed learning about these three beauties.
Hugs,
Jann
Andrea from Philippines
February 26th, 2012
Oh thanks for posting the Trinity, i didn’t know that they are grouped to be auspicious in Japanese culture. But even individually they are beautiful in big gardens. Because we don’t have plums, i am totally amazed the first time i saw it in person, and that goes with the apricots too.
Andrea´s last [type] ..Philippine Orchid Show 2012
Cher from Singapore, Singapore (general), Singapore
February 26th, 2012
very interesting info and stunning photos!
Cher´s last [type] ..Cypress Knee
betchai from San Diego, CA, United States
February 26th, 2012
beautiful shots, as always, ebie. Hope you will enjoy your weekend get-away here in SD, hopefully, next time, we can join activity when schedule is not too hectic
betchai´s last [type] ..California Least Tern
naturegirl from Phoenix, AZ, United States
February 26th, 2012
Ebie: I love all these tid bits about nature! Love the photos!
I am surrounded by pines back home in my house in the woods…good fortune and long life…love that!!
naturegirl´s last [type] ..Creativity
Henry from Abu Dhabi, Abū Z̧aby, United Arab Emirates
February 27th, 2012
sweet shots, i loved the story behind them
Henry´s last [type] ..The ‘Tree of Life’
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook from Bellmore, NY, United States
February 27th, 2012
Beautiful, Ebie! I love the height on that first shot. The plums are stunning. So pretty!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook´s last [type] ..Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Pesto and Tomatoes
Ed Prescott from Kountze, TX, United States
February 27th, 2012
Excellent shots and a bit of eastern wisdom..:-)
Ed Prescott´s last [type] ..Macro Monday
Nick, Melbourne from Australia
February 27th, 2012
Great post, Ebie, complemented by beautiful shots.
Nick, Melbourne´s last [type] ..FITZROY MURAL
Sallie (FullTime-Life) from United States
February 27th, 2012
I didn’t know about this and I love finding out! Thank you and as always your pictures are amazing. I like the idea of this photo challenge — I’ll go check it out! Thanks for that too.
Sallie (FullTime-Life)´s last [type] ..SWAMP WATER
Marina from Fort Smith, AR, United States
February 27th, 2012
Beautiful! Thanks for such a peaceful post.
Pondside from Victoria, BC, Canada
February 27th, 2012
I loved to see each of those in the light of its particular strength. The plum trees are showing pink on the streets in town here. Just one sunny day will have them all out in full bloom.