Sanxing (deities)

Sanxing
Shou, Lu, and Fu gods at a Chinese folk religious temple in Bangkok, Thailand
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese福祿壽
Simplified Chinese福禄寿
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinFú Lù Shòu
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationFūk Luhk Sauh
JyutpingFuk1 Luk6 Sau6
Southern Min
Hokkien POJHok-lo̍k-siū
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabetPhước Lộc Thọ
Phúc Lộc Thọ
Chữ Hán福祿壽
Japanese name
Kanji福禄寿
Transcriptions
RomanizationFuku Roku Ju

The Sanxing (Chinese: 三星; pinyin: sānxīng; lit. 'Three Stars') are the gods of three celestial bodies of particular significance in Chinese astronomy and Chinese folk religion: Jupiter, Mizar in Ursa Major, and Canopus. Fu, Lu, and Shou (traditional Chinese: 福祿壽; simplified Chinese: 福禄寿; pinyin: Fú Lù Shòu; Cantonese Yale: Fūk Luhk Sauh), or Cai, Zi and Shou (財子壽) are the embodiments of Fortune (Fu), presiding over the planet Jupiter; Prosperity (Lu), presiding over Mizar (ζ Ursae Majoris); and Longevity (Shou), presiding over Canopus. They have emerged from Chinese folk religion. Their iconic representation as three old, bearded, wise men dates back to the Ming dynasty, when the gods of the three stars were represented in human form for the first time. They are sometimes identified with other deities of Chinese religion or of Taoism.

The term is commonly used in Chinese culture to denote the three attributes of a good life. Statues of these three gods are found on the facades of folk religion's temples, ancestral shrines, in homes and many Chinese-owned shops, often on small altars with a glass of water, an orange or other auspicious offerings, especially during Chinese New Year. Traditionally, they are arranged right to left (Shou on the left of the viewer, Lu in the middle, and Fu on the far right), just as Chinese characters are traditionally written from right to left.

The three deities are widely associated with feng shui and are considered auspicious presences in the home.

Astronomical origins

The three gods originate in ancient Chinese star worship, each being the personification of a named celestial body.

The star of Shou (Shòuxīng, 壽星, "Star of Longevity") corresponds to Canopus (α Carinae), known in Chinese astronomy as Nanji Laoren (南極老人, "Old Man of the South Pole"). Sima Qian recorded it in the Shiji as the longevity star of the south polar region, noting that its appearance over China was held to herald a time of peace. Because Canopus transits very low across the southern horizon and is rarely visible from northern China, its sighting was regarded as a propitious and unusual event.

The star of Fu (Fúxīng, 福星, "Star of Fortune") corresponds to the planet Jupiter, known in classical Chinese astronomy as the "Year Star" (歲星, Suìxīng) because its sidereal period is approximately twelve years, matching the twelve-year cycle of the Earthly Branches. Jupiter was regarded as an auspicious planet whose position in the sky determined the fortunate direction for activities.

The star of Lu (Lùxīng, 祿星, "Star of Prosperity") corresponds to Mizar (ζ Ursae Majoris), the sixth star in the Wenchang asterism (文昌六) in traditional Chinese astronomy, associated with official rank and literary success.

Corresponding stars and attributes

Fuxing

The Roof Decoration of Sanxing. At Magong Beiji Temple, Taiwan

The star of Fu (福), or Fuxing (福星; fúxīng; 'Star of fortune'), corresponds to the planet Jupiter. According to folkloric beliefs, the planet is believed to be auspicious and would bring prosperity to those who receive its light.

Alternatively, according to a Ming dynasty Taoist myth, the star of fortune is associated with Yang Cheng (Chinese: 楊成), a governor of Daozhou in the Tang dynasty. Yang Cheng risked his life attempting to convince the emperor to free court dwarfs kept as slaves. After his death, the people built a temple to commemorate him, and over time he came to be considered the personification of good fortune.

Fuxing is generally depicted in scholar's dress with golden trim, holding a scroll, on which is sometimes written the character "Fu" (福). He may also be seen holding a child, or surrounded by children. He is sometimes conflated with Caishen, the Chinese god of wealth.

Luxing

Painted porcelain depicting the three gods: Fu, Lu and Shou, originating from China from the Qianlong period, Spoelberch Collection, KU Leuven

The star of Lu (祿), or Luxing (Chinese: 祿星; pinyin: lùxīng), corresponds to Mizar (ζ Ursae Majoris), or in traditional Chinese astronomy, the sixth star in the Wenchang constellation (文昌六). Like the star of Fortune, it also came to be personified, and is believed to be Zhang Xian who lived during the Later Shu dynasty. The character "Lu" specifically refers to the salary of a government official. As such, the star of Lu is considered the deity of prosperity, rank, and influence. He is often depicted holding a ruyi sceptre.

The star of Lu is also worshipped separately from the other two as the deity dictating one's success in the imperial examinations, and therefore success in the imperial bureaucracy. The star of Lu is usually depicted in the dress of a mandarin.

Shouxing

The star of Shou, or Shouxing (Chinese: 壽星; pinyin: Shòuxing; lit. 'Star of longevity'), corresponds to the star α Carinae (Canopus). Other names include Sau and Old Man of the South Pole. It is also called the "star of the south pole" in Chinese astronomy, and is believed to control the lifespans of mortals. According to legend, he was carried in his mother's womb for ten years before being born, and was already an old man when delivered. He is recognized by his high, domed forehead and the peach which he carries as a symbol of immortality. The longevity god is usually shown smiling and friendly, and he may sometimes be carrying a calabash gourd filled with the elixir of life. He is sometimes conflated with Master Lao and immortals in Taoist theology.

See also

Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) Fu Lu Shou Xi coin.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Yang & An 2005, pp. 95–98.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Needham & Wang 1995, p. 274.
  3. ↑ (in Chinese) 福禄寿星 Archived 2006-07-22 at the Wayback Machine. British Taoist Association.
  4. 1 2 Stevens 2001, pp. 60–63.
  5. ↑ Stepanchuk & Wong 1991, pp. 14–17.
  6. ↑ Stevens 2001, p. 60.
  7. 1 2 Yang & An 2005, pp. 95–96.
  8. 1 2 Yang & An 2005, pp. 96–97.
  9. ↑ 正月二十八福星诞，老人说注意3个特点：福星高照日子旺，哪3个？. 命理学_网易订阅 (in Chinese). 8 March 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  10. ↑ "Sanxing – The Three Stars". Chinaknowledge.de. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  11. ↑ Stevens 2001, p. 61.
  12. ↑ 張仙大帝. 慈德慈惠堂 (in Chinese). Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  13. ↑ 中国民间五神之禄星. 中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 (in Chinese). 3 December 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  14. 1 2 Stevens 2001, p. 62.
  15. ↑ 福祿壽三星. 財團法人大甲鎮瀾宮全球資訊網 (in Chinese). 1 March 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  16. ↑ Stevens 2001, pp. 62–63.

Sources