Posts Tagged longevity
Gourd
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Mysterious Emblem on December 4, 2009
A gourd is a plant of liana. We know that it could be used as food and medicine. However, in ancient China, it was also used to carry medicine, wine as well as elixirs. There is an old saying goes that “I don’t know what he has got in his gourd”, meaning that someone is wondering what the person is planning to do.
Ancient Chinese regarded the gourd to be a symbol of prosperity as it is prolific in fruits and seeds. In some areas, there has been a custom of stealing gourds from the others’ fields on the Mid-Autumn Festival, hoping that they could have many children, especially sons.
It is also believed to be a charm to ward off evil spirits and disease because in Chinese, its first character hu has a similar pronunciation to fu, which means good fortune.
Also, in ancient times, gourds could be frequently seen carried by old men. Therefore, it gradually became the symbol of longevity.
Crane
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Mysterious Emblem on September 6, 2009
Next to the Phoenix, the Crane is the most favored bird symbol in China. Chinese believed that the crane have a long life span, therefore, it is a symbol of longevity.
In Chinese legends, the spirits and immortals are described as riding on cranes, which are also said to bear the souls of the departed to the heavens.
In Chinese paintings, cranes are usually painted with other symbols of longevity such as pine trees and peaches. Cranes with peony flowers symbolize longevity and prosperity, while, cranes with lotus symbolize longevity and purity.
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