The Three Gods |
The Gods of Happiness, Wealth and Longevity
The prototype for the God of Happiness was a general who lived during the Tang Dynasty. He was supposedly responsible for saving the dynasty from invading barbarians and was apostheozied.
In the picture above, the god of happiness is shown in his official blue robes presenting his infant son to the god of longevity, the old man to the right.
Of the triad, the god of wealth is perhaps the most venerated even today. His statues, pictures and talismans are found in homes and businesses. He is usually portrayed as a santa claus-like visitor
bearing lots of gifts, particularly caskets filled inexhaustibly with cash.
The third god, the god of longevity, can be recognized by his outsized forehead. He is usually depicted as a very old man with a staff.
He also holds a peach the symbol of long life.There is usually a gourd and a scroll attached to his staff. Pictures of the god of longevity also include a bat and
a stag or a crane. These all symbolize happiness as well as long life.
