Intro

Sumi-e is the art of Japanese brush and ink paintings.

Over the last 6 months I've been learning how to paint the the four gentlemen, also called the Four Noble Ones. In Chinese art it refers to four plants: the wild orchid, the bamboo, the chrysanthemum, and the plum blossom. 

As they represent the four different seasons (the wild orchid for spring, the bamboo for summer, the chrysanthemum for autumn, and the plum blossom for winter), the four are used to depict the unfolding of the seasons through the year.

Each plant symbolises particular human characteristics.

Bamboo – The bamboo is symbolic of what the Japanese believe to be ‘masculine qualities’. It represents great flexibility, integrity, vitality and enduring strength.

Wild orchid – The orchid is symbolic of what the Japanese believe to be ‘feminine qualities’. It represents elegance, gentleness, vulnerability and beauty.

Plum Blossom – Blooming after surviving the winter weather, the plum blossom symbolizes hope and endurance. The plum blossom is also popular because of the contrast between its gnarled trunk and its fragile blossoms.

Chrysanthemum – Are one of the last flowers to bloom each year.  They maintain courage in face of cold winds and early snows and defiantly bloom in full color glory.  The chrysanthemum reminds us that it is possible to triumph when the going gets tough and to be brave when faced with adversity.