It means that a person’s character is as firm as a stone, like a plum blossom blooming alone despite the harsh winter, and a person’s character is as tall and straight as mountains and rivers, and as noble and unstained as vanilla.
This is a couplet from the cursive banner "Iron and Stone Plum Blossom Style, Mountains and Rivers and Vanilla Blossoms" written by Wang Chong, a calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty.
Both the iron stone and the plum blossom are unyielding things. The iron stone remains true to itself in the face of wind and rain, while the plum blossom blooms alone in the cold winter when the flowers are withered. This is used to describe a person's firm character and not to follow the crowd. .
Mountains, rivers and vanilla are both towering things. Mountains, rivers are higher than form, and vanilla flows to God. Both are beautiful and pure things. They are used to describe people's noble conduct and not to be secular.
Extended information:
The meaning of plum blossoms and vanilla
1. Plum blossoms
In traditional Chinese culture, plum blossoms are known for their nobility and purity. His strong and humble character inspires people to work hard. In the severe cold, plum blossoms bloom before hundreds of flowers, and spring is the only one in the world.
Plum blossoms are among the top ten famous flowers in China. Together with orchids, bamboos and chrysanthemums, they are listed as the Four Gentlemen. Together with pine and bamboo, they are also known as the "Three Friends of Suihan". In traditional Chinese culture, plum blossom inspires people to work hard with its noble, strong and humble character. In the severe cold, plum blossoms bloom before hundreds of flowers, and spring is the only one in the world.
The ancient Chinese literati had a special liking for plum blossoms and regarded plum blossom appreciation as an elegant thing. The most important thing in appreciating plum blossoms lies in the word "tan". Appreciating plum blossoms generally focuses on color, fragrance, shape, rhyme, time and other aspects.
2. Vanilla
In ancient times, vanilla referred to noble character and personality, and also symbolized both sides of the political struggle. According to ancient legends, vanilla is a plant in front of the Buddha. It has been washed by the Buddha's words, so it has a very noble character.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Wang Chong Xingcao Collection of Couplets
Baidu Encyclopedia - Vanilla
Baidu Encyclopedia - Plum