The large double happiness symbol on ginger jars, vases and lanterns in our collection reflect “wedded bliss.” The symbol has its roots in ancient Chinese history when a student fell ill on his way to the capital to attend the national final examination. The top students would be selected as ministers of the emperor’s court. The young man was taken into the home of a herbalist and his daughter to recuperate. When he recovered and prepared to leave, it was with a heavy heart because he had fallen in love with the daughter. She presented him with the right hand portion of a couplet and the young man headed on his way. 

The young man placed first in the exam. The he was interviewed and tested by the emperor. As luck would have it, the emperor asked him to finish a couplet that would need the right part as an answer. The young man realized immediately that the part of the couplet the girl wrote was the perfect answer so he delivered it. The emperor was very pleased and made the young man a minister of the court.

The young man returned to see the girl and told her about the emperor’s couplet. Soon after, they were married. At the wedding, the couple doubled the Chinese character, happy, and put it on a red piece of paper on the wall to express the their happiness for his success and their marriage. 

Since that time, the double happiness symbol has become a social custom at weddings and is featured prominently in Chinese art. You will find double happiness symbols of joy on all Chinese wedding gifts. Jars and vases are historically popular choices in China to this day. If you are planning to attend a Chinese wedding soon - or simply want to incorporate the symbol into your home décor - we have a unique collection of these decorative art pieces from Chinese bamboo wedding baskets, boxes, camphorwood trunks, modern and antique porcelain jars and vases to choose from.