The longevity lock refers to a lock-shaped ornament which a baby always wears on its neck or hand. It was said that wearing it could bring good health and good luck to the child as the lock could ward off evil and “lock” life. Therefore, in ancient China, many children had to wear it.
The lock has a long history in China and its origin can date back to the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). According to history records, at that time, women and children put silk thread around their wrists to keep away evils and illness with the hope of longevity. Therefore, the silk thread was called longevity thread.
As time went on the custom changed gradually, the longevity thread developed into the longevity lock and it was regarded as an ornament mainly to be worn by children.
The lock was mostly made of silver into various shapes, such as shoes, circular bucket, arris, etc. Characters such as Chang Ming Fu Gui (longevity, fortune and honor) and so forth were found on the front side. While, pictures of Qilin (Chinese unicorn), or character of “Long (dragon)” were sometimes carved on the back.
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