Britannica AI Icon

Isles of Immortality pattern

Chinese pottery
Also known as: Rock of Ages pattern

Quick Summary

The "Isles of Immortality" pattern is a decorative motif found on Chinese pottery, particularly during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). This pattern often features conventional rocks amidst waves, symbolizing the Daoist Isles of the Blest. Chinese decoration is frequently symbolic, with motifs often carrying double meanings. For example, the character for longevity is often depicted with symbols like the stork, pine, or tortoise. The dragon, a symbol of the emperor, and the fenghuang, symbolizing the empress, are also common motifs. These decorative elements reflect China's rich cultural and religious traditions, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.