Blue willow china or commonly known as the willow pattern is a singular, specific and complicated pattern used on ceramic kitchen ware. In the year 1790, Thomas Minton was the first man to design such pattern. Since that point, his elaborate planning style has been used for over 200 years.

Willow patterns need a particular treatment to transfer or stamp a particular design on a porcelain piece. This system is known as transferware. Normally, the colour used for the background is always white. Blue is the commonest colour for decorating images and patterns as well as pink, green and brown.

The puzzle behind the exact origin of blue willow china baffles many historians. In the opinion of some, the willow pattern started in Britain to promote the pottery industry using Minton’s design. Others accept that it came from China and was then brought to Britain by crusaders.

In Chinese history, willow plates are thought to be the pictorial representations of the way the members of the Hung society confounded and resisted the Manchu rulers characterized as invading tyrants. When a person dies, they are considered martyrs and their bravado is celebrated by all of the members of this underground society. This serves as reminder of their promise to protect their values which are influenced by Chinese and Buddhist culture. Upon learning these activities which insulted the Manchu rulers, all of the original willow pattern plates were devastated. The leftover pieces that survived were meant to be brought in Britain for the time being and brought back to China after a while.

According to legends, the earliest patterns of blue willow in China were obtained from a famous myth.

Once there had been a stunning mandarin woman who fell in love with her father’s accounting aid. The daddy upon learning the situation dismissed his servant and constructed a huge wall to split the lovers. The daddy wanted his child to marry a rich, dynamic Duke. The marriage was set on day when the last blossom will fall from the willow tree. On the above stated date, the Duke came to claim his bride. The young accountant masked as a servant and escaped with the child. The lovers took sanctuary on a deserted island. Not too long, the Duke found out where they were hiding and sent squaddies to capture them. It revealed the gods transformed the lovers into a couple of doves to run away from danger.

This author is interested in blue willow china. There is a great history behind the blue willow china pattern.