The large majority of craft motifs, that is the decorations used in Chinese art and craft can be categorized as belonging to either of the following several categories:
Nature
Objects
Everyday life
Stories (related to historic events or persons)
Mythology or religion
A lot of these craft motifs have a symbolism attached that is peculiar to Chinese culture and often is linked/related to the Chinese language.
Many objects and images depicted in Chinese arts and crafts, including paintings, ceramics, carvings, embroidery, etc. represent a symbolism that is inherent to and existing in all crafts of ancient China. Even buildings and interiors of houses were decorated with these motifs.
Some objects symbolize certain desirable concrete, real or non-touchable qualities which are considered desirable in Chinese culture. Others have a direct or indirect association with a certain symbolism due to either the meaning or the sound (pronunciation) of these objects name in the Chinese language, which is associated with another positive meaning or desirable effect.
Not that such symbolism is limited to positive or desired things, actually this symbolism penetrates the whole life. The negative associations or dark aspect of this is nowadays often related to what we would call superstition. Usually, it is not the subject of decorative arts.
The following list shows some of the more popular subject materials used in the decoration of traditional Chinese crafts.
Landscapes
Mountains, rocks, rivers, streams, waterfalls, valleys, etc.
Buildings, etc.
Pavilions, kiosks, thatched houses, table and chairs, palanquins, etc.
Animals (incl. mythical)
Lion, tiger, elephant, water buffalo, dog, cat, crab, hare, deer, the mythical qilin, dragon, etc.
Flowers
Orchids, chrysanthemums, roses, peonies, lilies, etc.
Fruits, vegetables
Peaches, plums, persimmons, bottle gourds, cabbage, etc.
Birds, bats (incl. mythical)
Bats, cranes and herons, sparrows, magpies, parrots, phoenix
Insects
Cicada, praying mantis, bees, butterflies
Fish
Carps
Plants
Trees, plum trees & blossoms, willows, bamboo, grass, pines, lingzhi (fungus), etc.
People, deities, or stories as subjects
Eight immortals, 18 arhats, Romance of the three Kingdoms, 24 virtuous people, etc.
