May Flowers Bloom, the Moon Stay Full, and Life Be Long

Of all the woodblock carvings Terry created, this is the one he engraved most often—and the one we cherished most.

Gifted Wishes · Hanging Blessings

We would create this piece for those soul friends with whom we share a heartfelt connection, happily dressing up to attend their wedding or birthday parties.

With joyful anticipation, we would see the piece again on the living room wall, adorably hanging there to welcome guests when we visited their house many times later.

What wonderful feelings we always shared as we parted, accompanied by these joyful words. Nine simple characters warmed our hearts immensely.

Blooming Flowers · Full Moon

This quote first appeared in the poems of Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD)  poets Zao Duan-Li (晁端禮) and Zhang Xian (張先), and it later gained popularity as a theme in famous paintings and among seal carving masters, such as modern artist Xie Zi Guan (謝之光) and Feng Zi-Kai (豐子愷).

Artist Xie Zi Guan (謝之光)  A Painting of Blooming Flowers, a Full Moon, and Longevity

It serves as a blessing shared by all, Buddhists and Christians, expressed in different words but with the same heartfelt wish.

An ideal world exists only in our dreams and never in reality. However, we all have the right to dream of a wonderful future; without those dreams, life can feel unbearable.

The way these sentiments are conveyed in Chinese is more subtle and straightforward.

Seasonal Flowers · Shared Moonlight

The splendid tapestry of flowers bloomed so colorfully that one cannot help but feel gratitude for the kindness of "Heaven and Earth."

The plum blossom bravely withstands the winter, the lotus with summer frequencies breeze, and the chrysanthemum flourishes against the coolness of autumn.

The Tang poet Yang Ju-Yuan (楊巨源) wrote, "While all the flowers bloomed in the capital city of Chang'an, people crowded everywhere."

Similarly, the then Prime Minister Ouyang Xiu (歐陽修) remarked, "We can only bid farewell after we have enjoyed all the flowers in the city."

To treasure flowers is to treasure spring, and that means treasuring our life. 

There is perhaps no other culture that cherishes the moon as deeply as the Chinese. The poet Li Bai (李白) wrote, "Alas! The moon is rising and wandering among misty clouds." 

Su Shi (蘇軾) expressed sentiments of longing with the words, "Wishing my loved ones live forever and cherish the moonlight with me from afar."

Li Bai's poems convey a sense of jubilation and carefree joy, while Su Shi's works are more sentimental.

The moon evokes romantic feelings among the Chinese, and its bright, round, graceful beauty gently stirs nostalgia and symbolizes togetherness.

Last but not least, everyone wishes for a long life. Life is precious, and we value good health. Happiness, found in togetherness, creates a lasting desire for connection.

Thousands of people dedicate their lives to discovering ways to live well and for a long time, while minimizing suffering and emptiness.

Cherished Hope · Lasting Light

But no one should give up hope. There must be a future worth dreaming of, some words to trust, and the belief that light leads you somewhere. Even though these hopes may be false, people cannot live without them.

This quote, “May Flowers Bloom, the Moon Stay Full, and Life Be Long,” resonates with people not because it predicts fortune, but because it expresses hope for the future.

Hope is something no one can relinquish, and there will always be a promising future ahead.  (Article 1 of 12)