What follows is an illustrated survey of some available emblems of romance, Chinese style. One of the most enduring symbols of love is a pair of mandarin ducks. They mate for life and if separated pine away and die, or so duck-lovers would have us believe.
Ducks are symbols of conjugal fidelity and their image permeates Chinese art.
The butterfly symbolizes joy and marital happiness. Motifs employed in Chinese art often play on such homophones. Another popular decorative motif, the fish, or yu, is a homophone for wealth and abundance. Fish suggest connubial bliss because they live in complete harmony with their watery surrounds. The design first appeared on export porcelain in the 1740s but soon transferred to other materials and remained popular well into the 19th century.