Lian Hua (lotus) is also called ‘he hua (荷花)’. It is different from ‘shui lian (睡莲 water lily)’ which is another kind of water plant.

The first character of ‘lian hua’ has been used to pun for ‘lian’ (廉) which means being fair and uncorrupted in one’s official position.

Twin-headed lotus flower (‘bing di lian 并蒂莲’) refers ‘a loving relationship’. See ‘并蒂双贵’ (May you couple live a harmonious life and enjoy prestige).

Related motif:

lotus bouquet 一把莲

Related Pun Picture:

You are an honest and uncorrupted official in your entire career 一路清廉

• Fig 1: porcelain meiping vase, Yongle period (1403–24), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

  Fig 2: porcelain meiping vase, Yongle period (1403–24), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum

  Fig 3: porcelain bowl, Yongle period (1403–24), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

  Fig 4: porcelain bowl, Yongle period (1403–24), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

  Fig 5: lidded porcelain vase with underglaze blue decoration, Yongle period (1403–24), Ming dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

  Fig 6: porcelain bottle, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei

  Fig 7: glass snuff-bottle with falangcai enamelled decoration, Qianlong period (1736–95), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taipei