This sculpture shows the Chinese god of longevity, who represents happiness, prosperity, status, authority and most importantly a long and healthy life.
The longevity god is smiling as he stands on an evergreen tree. The staff in his right hand has a gourd filled with the elixir of life. The peach in his left hand symbolizes immortality.
Chinese author Sima Zhen wrote in the Index to the Records of the Historian, Shiji Suoyin, the “God of Longevity, is often called the ‘Old man of the South Pole. The world is in peace when he is around, pray to him for longevity”.
Also related to longevity are “the Sanxing”, the gods of the three stars and the three qualities of Prosperity (Fu), Status (Lu), and Longevity (Shou). The star gods of longevity are often displayed at birthday parties and on birthday cards.
