The Origin & Legend Of The 3 Stars - Fu Lu Shou (福禄寿)
Fu Lu Shou (福禄寿) are the personified ideas of Prosperity (Fu), Status (Lu), and Longevity (Shou) in Chinese Folk Religion.
The Star Of Fu (福)
Fu-Xing (福星), refers to the planet Jupiter. Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System. In Chinese astrology, the planet Jupiter was believed to be auspicious.
Deification Of Fu-Xing (福星) - God Of Prosperity
In the Tang Dynasty, Yang Cheng (阳城) became a governor of Dao-Zhou (道州) in Hunan of Central China. Emperor Tang De Zong (唐德宗) found midgets (侏儒) amusing, and ordered every year to gather some of them as special tribute to the imperial court by becoming palace slaves for his own entertainment. When governor Yang learned that the midgets were unhappy to be taken away from their families, he stood up to the emperor and abolished the practice. Thus Yang became immortalized as one who brings blessings and happiness.
The Star Of Lu (禄)
Lu-Xing (禄星), is Mizar - Zeta Ursae Majoris (ζ) - Zet UMa of the Big Dipper. In traditional Chinese astronomy, it is the sixth star in the Wen-Chang cluster.
Deification Of Lu-Xing (禄星) - God Of Status
The God of Status is identified with Immortal Zhang (张仙) who was probably the same person as Zhang Yuan Xiao (张远霄) who lived in Si-Chuan during the Five Dynasties period 五代 (907-960), dwelled on Mt. Qingcheng (青城) and cultivated the Dao (道). He was also called Song Zi Zhang Xian 送子张仙 - "Immortal Zhang presenting a baby", and figures in a theatre play. In popular art the God of Status is shown in the robes of a ministerial vice director (Yuan Wai Lang - 員外郎), with a peony blossom on his head, symbolizing wealth. He commonly holds a baby in his arms or holds a small child at the hand. In some pictures the figure of the God of Status is accompanied by a deer, or the picture is inscribed with the word for deer, which is a wordplay because "deer" (鹿 - lù) is pronounced in the same way as "status" (祿 - lù).
The Star Of Shou (壽)
The star of Shou (壽), Shou-Xing (寿星), is α Carinae (Canopus) - Canopus (α Car, α Carinae, Alpha Carinae). It is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina.
In Chinese astronomy, it is the star of the South Pole. It is the symbol of happiness and longevity in Far Eastern culture. It is also called "The Old Man of the South Pole" (南极老人 - Nan Ji Lao Ren).
Deification Of Shou-Xing (寿星) - God Of Longevity
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 God of Longevity is usually shown smiling and friendly, and he may sometimes be carrying a gourd filled with Elixir of Life.
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