This time honored blue and white pattern originated in the eighteenth century and tells the love story of Koong tse, a rich man's daughter, and Chang, a clerk. Koong tse's father forbids the marriage of Koong tse and Chang, and betroths her to a rich mandarin. The lovers flee to an island, where they live happily. When Chang becomes a published writer, the mandarin finds the couple and Chang is killed. In despair, Koong tse commits suicide. The souls of the lovers are depicted as two immortal doves.