Scrolling Lotus
缠枝莲 · chanzhilian
Scrolling lotus links flowers along a continuous stem in an endless repeat — one of the principal all-over patterns of Ming and Qing textiles.
Historical development
The framework derives from earlier scrolling-vine traditions and reaches a settled formula in the Ming: the angle at which the stem turns, the orientation of each flower and the distribution of leaves all follow rule.
Gold-brocaded scrolling lotus was produced in quantity in the Ming and also appears on textiles made for religious use.
Cultural meaning
The lotus signifies purity, while the unbroken stem carries the sense of continuity without end.
Plates
The same motif as it appears on different objects, gathered for comparison. Dates and provenance for each example are to be established and added.
The principal flower head, its petals opening in tiers around a seed pod, with curling stems issuing on all sides.
The framework: continuous S-curved stems form a repeating band, with leaves filling the intervals.
A lotus on a different object, worked in graded blue floss — a contrast with the gold-brocaded treatment above.
