Pine, bamboo and plum trees: 松竹梅 (Sho-chiku-bai)

Sho (松): pine/ chiku (竹): bamboo/ bai (梅): plum trees

Pine, bamboo and plum trees (Japanese apricot): putting these three names of the trees together makes the phrase “Shochikubai”, which is the symbolic expression of auspicious matters.
These plants are highly valued in winter because they are strong against the cold, and found as symbols of good luck and long life. They are used as felicious decorations for celebratory, events, as at weddings or with the New Year’s pine and bamboo kadomatsu decorations.

Kadomatsu

Kadomatsu>> To prepare for new year in Japan

松・竹・梅、これら3つの木の名を１つの熟語にして「松竹梅」といい、めでたいものの象徴的な表現に使います。この3つの植物は寒さに強いことから、冬に珍重され、福や長寿のシンボルになっているのです。
結婚式や正月の門松などの祝いごとの飾として使われいますね。

Pine (松)

In the Sho-chiku-bai combination, the pine is the first mentioned. It is a evergreen plant. So pine is valued as a symbolic plant for long life and youthful.

松竹梅の中でも、松は別格。常緑樹なので、それゆえ松は長寿と若々しさの象徴として存在しているのです。