Mount Horai or “The Island of the Immortals”

Mount Horai or “The Island of the Immortals” is a happiness and longevity symbol the Japanese borrowed from the Chinese nature-based religion of Taoism. The Chinese believed that this paradise was in the oceans to their east. The Japanese therefore occasionally used Mt. Horai to represent Japan. Mt. Horai is usually signaled with five symbols in Japanese textiles. The auspicious “Three Friends of Winter,” the pine, bamboo and plum blossom, are paired with the longevity and happiness symbols of the crane and tortoise. All five are said to be residents of this blessed island where immortal beings live.

On this example, bamboo is represented by the wide white bars from which sprout bamboo leaves. A pine tree with three stylized branches occupies the lower left corner.


Mount Horai or “The Island of the Immortals”

On this example, tortoises are elegantly represented by the bamboo growing in the hexagonal shape of a tortoise shell. Pine trees are represented by pine cones and needles.

Copyright 2006 Jeffrey Krauss and Ann Marie Moeller