Mr Monkey came to a stone table and some seats, where the owners of a garden would sit and relax. The seats are each carved with a plant representing a season. Opposite the seats Mr Monkey looked at a weeping willow (Salix x sepulcralis var. chrysocoma) which symbolises spring, renewal and immortality and also sorrow and separation in poetry and paintings. Willow is used to weave baskets and hats, and to make charcoal for drawing and gunpowder.
Return to Mr Monkey visits China Landscape at the British Museum
Copyright Rik Shepherd and Mr Monkey.