A few marks of dedication are mentioned in the _Po wu yao lan_[456] e.g. [Chinese] _t´an_ (altar) on the altar cups of the Hsüan Tê period; [Chinese] _ch´a_ (tea), [Chinese] _chiu_ (wine), [Chinese] _tsao t´ang_ (decoction of jujubes), and [Chinese] _chiang t´ang_ (decoction of ginger), which were inscribed inside the altar cups of the Chia Ching period, besides [Chinese] _chin lu_ (golden seal), [Chinese] _ta chiao_ (great sacrifice), and [Chinese] _t´an yung_ (altar use), which were written beneath them; all indicating the offerings and the altars for which the cups were destined. Dedications to temples, institutions, and even to individuals, often of considerable length, also occur not infrequently. (_b_) _Marks of felicitation_ include good wishes such as _ch´ang ming fu kuei_ (long life, riches and honour), _wan fu yu t´ung_ (may infinite happiness embrace all your affairs), both of which have been noted on Ming porcelain; words of good omen such as _fu_, _lu_, _shou_, separately or together, [Chinese] _chi_ (good luck), [Chinese] _ch´ing_ (prosperity), etc. (_c_) _Marks of commendation_ are also frequent, especially in the K´ang Hsi period and on blue and white porcelain. They allude to the beauty of the ware, comparing it with jade or gold or gems, or to the subject of the decoration; and they vary in length from a single character such as [Chinese] _yü_ (jade) to a sentence like _ch´i shih pao ting chih chên_ (a gem among precious vessels of rare stone). (_d_) A sacred symbol or emblematic ornament often replaces the mark on K´ang Hsi porcelain; but as these will be found among the symbols, etc., described in vol. ii., ch. xvii., there is no need to discuss them any further. The most frequently used are the _pa pao_ (Eight Precious Things), and the _pa chi hsiang_ (the Eight Buddhist Emblems of Happy Augury). MARKS OF FELICITATION, ETC. [Illustration: [Chinese] _Shun_ = harmony.] [Illustration: [Chinese] _Lu_ = prosperity.] [Illustration: [Chinese] _Shou_ = longevity (seal form).] [Illustration: [Chinese] The same, with the Swastika interwoven.] [Illustration: [Chinese] The "spider" mark, a fanciful form of _shou_.] [Illustration: [Chinese] _hsi_ (joy) repeated = double joy, a wedding symbol.] [Illustration: [Chinese] _tê hua ch'ang ch'un_ = virtue culture and enduring spring; enclosed by _Wan li nien tsao_ = made in the Wan Li period (1573-1619).] [Illustration: [Chinese] Mark resembling a "cash" or coin inscribed _ch'ang ming fu kuei_ = long life, riches, and honours!] [Illustration: [Chinese] _fu kuei ch'ang ch'un_ = riches, honours, and enduring spring!] [Illustration: [Chinese] _Wan fu yu t'ung_ = a myriad happinesses embrace all (your affairs)!] [Illustration: [Chinese] _Kung ming fu kuei Hung fu ch'i t'ien_ = a famous name, riches and honours, vast happiness equalling heaven!] [Illustration: [Chinese] _t'ien t'i yi chia ch'un_ = spring time for the whole family of heaven and earth.]