pine, bamboo, and plum (auspicious trio)
Traditional grouping symbolizing perseverance, integrity, and beauty; often used in celebratory contexts, New Year decorations, and as a motif in art.
See also: 歳寒三友
For New Year's, I placed a pine-bamboo-plum decoration at the entrance.
three-tier ranking (high, middle, low)
Used as a grading system, especially in traditional restaurants, ryokan, and gift sets, where 松 is the top tier, 竹 the middle, and 梅 the lowest. The order is from best to worst.
The restaurant's course meals are divided into three tiers: pine, bamboo, and plum.
I sent a pine-bamboo-plum assortment as a year-end gift.