Confucius said, "Cold tells the decline of pine and cypress." -"The Analects of Confucius Zi Han"

Translation:

Confucius said, "The pine and cypress withered only in the cold season."

Expand:

Sui Há n Sā n y ? u: the traditional symbol pattern of Han nationality. It means that pine, bamboo and plum don't wither in winter, so they are called "three friends of the old cold". Pine, bamboo, plum proud wind, standing in the frost, the spirit is commendable! Pine symbolizing evergreen, bamboo symbolizing gentleman's way, and plum symbolizing purity and beauty, because it can still be evergreen in cold winter.