Grasshopper Pure Gold Tea Scoop

Grasshopper Pure Gold Tea Scoop

The grasshopper, also known as the katydid, became a popular auspicious motif due to a poem in the Book of Songs. Since the Song Dynasty, numerous works featuring the grasshopper have been created, and many artistic treasures still exist today.

The poem "The Locust" from the Book of Songs (Zhou Nan section) reads: "The locust's wings, so numerous and swarming. May your descendants be numerous and abundant. The locust's wings, so loud and clear. May your descendants be numerous and continuous. The locust's wings, so graceful and fluttering. May your descendants be numerous and thriving." The poem uses the locust's many offspring as a metaphor for a person's many children, expressing congratulations to those with many children.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, people generally believed that the grasshopper was the same as the katydid, so many works depicting the theme of many offspring appeared as katydids. In modern times, Qi Baishi is the most famous painter of katydids, having painted katydids with melons and fruits, cabbages, and other subjects, constantly bringing new ideas to the canvas. His meticulous brushwork katydids are exquisitely detailed and lifelike.

The Jadeite Cabbage in the National Palace Museum in Taipei is carved with two insects, one large and one small, nibbling on cabbage leaves. The cabbage symbolizes "abundant wealth" and "integrity," while the insects symbolize many children and grandchildren.

"The grasshopper's wings, so numerous and swaying. May your descendants prosper and flourish. The grasshopper's wings, so loud and clear. May your descendants be numerous and abundant. The grasshopper's wings, so graceful and fluttering. May your descendants be numerous and thriving."
Translation : The crickets spread their wings, flying low in flocks. Your descendants are numerous, your family is thriving. The crickets spread their wings, buzzing in flocks. Your descendants are numerous, your generations are long and enduring. The crickets spread their wings, gathering in large groups, filling the hall. Your descendants are numerous, living in harmony and joy.