met-asian: 清中期 玉壽星|God of longevity via Asian ArtMedium: Jade (nephrite)Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 190
met-asian: 清中期 玉壽星|God of longevity via Asian ArtMedium: Jade (nephrite)Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NYhttp://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/43959 The above is a carving of the Chinese God of Longevity, Shou xing - one of the Sanxing, or Three Star gods. Shou Xing represents the star of the South Pole (Canopus) within Chinese astrology. The other two gods are Fu xing (Prosperity; the planet Jupiter), and Lu Xing (Status; the Zeta Ursa Majoris). Shou is typically identifiable by his prominent and long forehead, obvious old age, and a peach in hand, symbolizing immortality. Sometimes additional imagery includes a crane or turtle, again emphasizing his symbolic longevity. Oftentimes he is conflated with the Daoist deity “The Old Man of the South Pole,” or 南极老人. The Canopus star is also known in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan as the Star of Old Age. In Japan, the Canopus star representation becomes a part of the Seven Gods of Fortune, known as Jurōjin or 寿老人. -- source link
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