A Japanese shikishi artwork featuring three sheep with the auspicious phrase San’yō Kaitai, a traditional expression associated with good fortune, renewal, and the arrival of a prosperous new beginning.
The character 陽 (yō) refers to the positive, active principle of yang, while 泰 (tai) conveys ideas of peace, harmony and prosperity.
The phrase expresses the moment when positive energy begins to return after a period of darkness or difficulty, traditionally associated with the transition from winter toward spring. It therefore carries the sense of:
“Good fortune begins to unfold,” “Prosperity returns,” or “A new and harmonious beginning.”
The phrase is very often represented pictorially by three sheep. Making the motif especially popular in New Year decorations and auspicious art. The three sheep in this shikishi therefore symbolize not only gentleness and harmony, but also the return of good fortune, peace and flourishing circumstances.
