Sumi E Painting

Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting Flower Motifs – Chrysanthemum 

The chrysanthemum is a flower which keeps on appearing in Chinese ink and wash painting. It symbolizes autumn and is a sign of noble seclusion. The chrysanthemum is mostly connected to poet Tao Yuanming, whose favorite flowers were chrysanthemums. Tao retired from official duties and retreated from the world. In one of his poems, he describes a scene in which his children welcome him at the eastern fence of his property, where Tao picks a chrysanthemum. 

Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting Flower Motifs – Lotus Flower 

The lotus flower derives from Buddhism, representing Buddha himself and symbol for purity. A lotus flower can grow in the muddiest waters, water rolls off its leaves, keeping it pure and clean. The color of a lotus flower can range from a pale white to an intense pink on the tip of the petals. Lotus flowers are either depicted as the main subject or as attributes of figures from the Buddhist pantheon. Furthermore, it is sometimes not only solely the blooming lotus flower that is depicted, but also the stems, leaves, or buds with their characteristic appearance.

Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting Flower Motifs – Cherry Blossom

It is rather Japan than China where the cherry blossom plays an important role in art. Cherry blossom motifs can be found on numerous genres, be it textiles, metalwork, prints or painting. The popularity of the cherry blossom comes from the beauty of the trees blooming in spring, when the cherry blossom petals rain down like clouds. The flower therefore symbolizes beauty and purity, but also represents Japan itself. Because cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, but only for a short time, they also stand for the ephemeral nature of life.

Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting Flower Motifs – Peony

Peonies are flowers you will stumble over every now and then when engaging in ink and wash painting. They are distinguishable through their large size and layered petals. Peonies have been cultivated in Chinese gardens since over 1000 years and come in numerous colors such as red, white, yellow or deep purple. Peonies are plants which can grow and bloom on the same spot for many years, which might be the reason for its popularity in China, apart from its beautiful look. They symbolize wealth and elegance.

Combination Motifs in Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting

Popular subjects in Chinese ink painting are the so-called "Four Gentlemen": plum , orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, symbolizing the four seasons and things such as wealth or refinement. The "Three Friends of Winter" – plum, bamboo and pine tree – are winter symbols. All of them are hardy plants, which makes them symbols of permanence and durability.

The Motif of Figures in Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting

When it comes to figure painting, ink and wash painters draw most inspiration of figures from Chan Buddhism, such as famous masters like Bodhidharma. He is said to be the founder of the Chan School, and is often depicted in portrait form, as a man with a big nose and intense stare. This iconography derives from the story that Bodhidharma was an Indian monk (and thus looked "foreign") who tore off his eyelids when he threatened to fall asleep during meditation. Other popular motifs are Bodhidharma's followers, the Chan patriarchs, who were famous teachers who continued the Chan tradition laid out by Bodhidharma. In their depiction, painters often reproduce little anecdotes from their life.

Landscape Motifs in Ink and Wash / Sumi-e Painting

The Chinese word for landscape painting, shan shui hua , contains the Chinese characters for "mountain" and "water" and thus names the two most important elements that are to be found in every landscape painting. Landscapes always were a popular motif in ink and wash painting and have been depicted ever since, although the sceneries illustrated hardly ever truly exist. The pictures are often idealized versions of the environment, with elements such as rocks, trees and streams put together in the most ideal way. It were the Literati painters in particular who created paintings of towering mountains or misty hills according to their aesthetic preference. Landscape painting bloomed in the Song Dynasty, although there are differences between the paintings of the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties. The former often depict monumental, impressing mountains in large formats, whereas the latter are smaller, more intimate sceneries, with a more lyrical expression.