“Zuiun juzan o meguru” (瑞雲繞寿山)
“Zuiun (瑞雲) refers to auspicious clouds that appear in shades of purple or in five sacred colors—blue, yellow, red, white, and violet. In Zen and Buddhist tradition, they symbolize good fortune, divine protection, and a sense of spiritual clarity.
You often find this motif in New Year scrolls or in the tearoom, where it quietly sets a celebratory tone. These clouds are not just a natural phenomenon—they also express a state of mind: light, open, and blessed.
“Zuiun juzan o meguru” (瑞雲繞寿山)
Auspicious clouds encircle the mountain of longevity.
In the tea ceremony, Zuiun is also a popular name for a tea scoop (chashaku). Beyond its auspicious meaning, there is a poetic association: the steam rising from the kettle is seen as drifting clouds.
To find a sign of good fortune in something as fleeting as steam—
this quiet sensitivity may be at the heart of both Zen and tea.
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