Willow

Willow original: 柳 (Liǔ). In the Chinese tradition, the willow—particularly the weeping willow—is a symbol of spring, vitality, and the sorrow of parting. Its branches were often gifted to travelers to encourage them to "stay" (a pun on the word for willow, liǔ, and the word for staying or remaining, liú).

This page consists of the primary heading and woodcut illustration for the willow tree. In the Sancai Tuhui The "Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms," a comprehensive Ming Dynasty encyclopedia compiled by Wang Qi and Wang Siyi, published in 1609, such illustrations are designed to show the "spirit" and recognizable form of the plant to assist in identification and cultural study.