Wooden ruyi (as you wish) scepter. It is full of hidden meanings. Depicted are lotus stems topped by a lotus flower with two small crabs facing each other. A crab represents ‘Harmony’ which is doubled by two of them. The lotus flower, ‘Hehua’ or ‘Lianhua’, symbolizes ‘Marriage’ in addition to ‘Purity’. The word ‘ He’ stands for ‘ Harmony’ and ‘Lian’ is a pun for ‘Continuous’ or ‘Successive’ as in ‘the continuous birth of illustrious sons’. The seedpod which is already visible within the lotus flower bursts with seeds and symbolizes ‘Fertility’. There is therefore little doubt that this carving which dates from the early 20th century was presented as a wedding gift. Length 39 cm. Width lotus flower 9.5 cm.