Two superimposed elements are used to illustrate hexagram 55. At the bottom is the representation of a Vase, comprising a pedestal supporting a recipient in the form of a bowl or plate. Anciently, it designated a wooden vase in which were deposited non-meat food offerings for donations to the spirits. This ritual vase was less ceremonial than the Bronze Vases found at Ding.50. During the Han period it adopted another meaning; primarily, what the vase contained: Soya, Beans, Peas…basically all vegetables.

On top, a complex group composed from many elements. The starting point is a Bough. Written starting with the general symbol for Plants, it has the particularity of having branches set in groups of three, usual symbol of Plurality. This canonical symbol already contains the abstract idea of Vitality, Fertility, Opulence. It may be the reason why it was chosen as a simplified character for Abundance. In its ancient form it is doubled, a classic superlative expression. Then, these two Boughs are disposed in what looks like full bags, most likely Grain Bags.

The association of these two symbols produces a composition in which each element reinforces the other by crossing symbolisms. Actually, the Boughs, like the Bags of Grains or the Vases containing Cereals, all evoke the idea of Abundance.

Finally, we can notice that this abundance, associated in the West to the Harvesting in Fall – the Cornucopia overflowing with fruits – is in China associated with the flux of Spring, this being represented in the ideogram by the Grains to be planted and the buds of the Boughs.

Confucius