18TH/19TH CENTURY

As the first tree to bloom each year the prunus or plum tree represents perserverance and purity, and as the flowers appear on old branches, it is also a symbol of vigorous old age. The five petals of the flower represent the Five Blessings: old age, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a natural death. The combination of the hovering bat (fu) and the ribbon-tailed birds (shoudainiao) seen in the tree on the ruyi head represent the phrase, "May you have blessings and longevity," all fitting motifs for a ruyi scepter, which itself, signified 'as you wish.'