My Eggs and the Blue Danube

The first time I met my mother-in-law she served dinner on a blue and white china pattern called the Blue Danube. She told me that if I was a good girl and gave her grandchildren she would give me her dishes in gratitude. It took eleven years, four in vitro fertilizations and two frozen embryo transfers to seal the deal. I had three boys in two years. She was happy.

I love these dishes and researched the history and found that this original pattern was from China. It was copied by Meissen, Royal Copenhagen, Blue Danube Japan and many others. I recreated my own version with an added dragon to symbolize my recovery from ovarian cancer. Ironically, the fertility treatments are a possible cause of my ovarian cancer.

Symbolism in flowers is an art form and way of communication around the world. The synchronicity of meaning gives way to the thought of collective consciousness. This pattern was originally painted with a variety of pomegranates and peaches, chrysanthemums and lotus flowers.

The Europeans were not familiar with these images and replaced the spiritual flowers with the more familiar onions. Pomegranates are a symbol of fertility in many cultures and the chrysanthemums, a symbol of happiness, love, longevity and joy. The peach tree is considered to be the tree of life, the peach a symbol of immortality and unity.

Eggs are a symbol of life, the earth, fertility and resurrection. Many ancient people believed the world was formed from a cosmic egg. The similarity of thought globally about eggs furthers my inquiry to a collective conscience. We are all part of the same cultural stardust and the fingerprints of God connects each of throughout time and space. This is a celebratory piece to honor my transformation from Ovarian Cancer. I’m full of gratitude to be alive with my beautiful family and friends.

Square Eggs and a Blue Danube Japanese Teapot