2025. Digital painting
Cheer Up, My Friend! (Four Noble Ones – Plum Blossom)
Soonshim and Ddolddol sit on the branch of a plum tree, their arms around each other.
Soonshim was the kind of cat who always embraced every stray in the neighborhood, and Ddolddol deeply relied on her.
Steadfast and warm, Soonshim comforts Ddolddol — saying it’s okay, everything will be alright, let’s hang in there together.
Soonshim was the kind of cat who always embraced every stray in the neighborhood, and Ddolddol deeply relied on her.
Steadfast and warm, Soonshim comforts Ddolddol — saying it’s okay, everything will be alright, let’s hang in there together.
The plum blossom is the first flower to bloom at the end of winter.
Together with the orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo, it is known as one of the “Four Noble Ones” in traditional East Asian art.
Together with the orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo, it is known as one of the “Four Noble Ones” in traditional East Asian art.
Because it blossoms after enduring harsh winter cold, the plum tree symbolizes strength, noble elegance, and perseverance.
In fact, old Korean scholars revered its resilience and integrity, viewing it as a symbol of loyalty and unwavering spirit.
In fact, old Korean scholars revered its resilience and integrity, viewing it as a symbol of loyalty and unwavering spirit.
On this resilient plum tree, I say — you’ve come so far, you’ve endured so much.
Let’s keep going, together.
Let’s keep going, together.
※ Plum tree design reference: Mother-of-pearl lacquerware artwork from the collection of the National Folk Museum of Korea
