Fukurokuju facts for kids
In Japan, Fukurokuju (福禄寿) (From Japanese fuku, which means "happiness"; roku, which means "richness"; and ju, which means "long life") is one of the Seven Lucky Gods. He looks a lot like the Chinese star god Shou. Some people think that before becoming a god, he was a Chinese hermit and a reincarnation of a Taoist god.
Usually shown as being bald, with long whiskers, people say he is a living form of the Southern Polestar. In many pictures, Fukurokuju has a strangely high forehead. He stands with a crane and a turtle, which are symbols of long life. He is also sometimes with a black deer. Ancient legends say a deer turns black if it is over 2000 years old.
He is the only member of the Seven Lucky Gods with the ability to bring the dead back to life.
- Ashkenazi, Michael. Handbook of Japanese Mythology.ABC-CLIO, 2003.
Mythic Texts and Folktales: |
Images for kids
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A stone sculpture of Fukurokuju in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture