Sanxing (deities)#Fuxing

{{about|Chinese deities|the 2015 film|God of Happiness (film)|Chinese constellation|Three Stars (Chinese constellation)}}

{{Chinese

|pic=Sanxing at Chinese temple in Bangkok.jpg

|piccap=Shou, Lu, and Fu gods at a Chinese folk religious temple in Mong Kok, Hong Kong

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|kanji=福禄寿|hiragana=|romaji=Fuku Roku Ju

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|qn=Phúc Lộc Thọ

|chuhan=福祿壽

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The Sanxing ({{zh|c=三星|hp=sānxīng|l=Three Stars}}) are the gods of the three celestial bodies considered essential in Chinese astrology and mythology: Jupiter, Ursa Major, and Canopus. Fu, Lu, and Shou ({{zh|t={{linktext|福|祿|壽}}|s={{linktext|福|禄|寿}}|p=Fú Lù Shòu|cy=Fūk Luhk Sauh|first=t}}), or Cai, Zi and Shou ({{lang|zh|財子壽}}) are also the embodiments of Fortune (Fu), presiding over the planet Jupiter, Prosperity (Lu), presiding over Mizar (ζ Ursae Majoris), and Longevity (Shou), presiding over Canopus. They have emerged from Chinese folk religion. Their iconic representation as three, old, bearded, wise men dates back to the Ming dynasty,{{in lang|zh}} [http://www.gb.taoism.org.hk/taoist-immortal/pg3-6-2.htm {{lang|zh|福禄寿星}}] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060722200050/http://www.gb.taoism.org.hk/taoist-immortal/pg3-6-2.htm |date=2006-07-22 }}. British Taoist Association. when the gods of the three stars were represented in human form for the first time. They are sometimes identified with other deities of the Chinese religion or of Taoism.

The term is commonly used in Chinese culture to denote the three attributes of a good life. Statues of these three gods are found on the facades of folk religion's temples, ancestral shrines, in homes and many Chinese-owned shops, often on small altars with a glass of water, an orange or other auspicious offerings, especially during Chinese New Year. Traditionally, they are arranged right to left (Shou on the left of the viewer, Lu in the middle, and Fu on the far right), just as Chinese characters are traditionally written from right to left.

The three deities are particularly associated with feng shui,{{Cite web |title=Chinese gods, goddesses and heroes |url=https://www.chinasage.info/deities.htm |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.chinasage.info}} and there are strict requirements that govern their placement in a room or building.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=3 Best Practical Tips on Gods of Feng Shui Fuk Placement - Fengshuipy - Feng Shui Map For Your Life |url=https://fengshuipy.com/gods-of-feng-shui-fuk-placement/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-04-02 |title=Best Feng Shui Placement Of Fu Lu Shou (sanxing) 3 Star Gods |url=https://www.fengshuied.com/fu-lu-shou |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=FengShuied |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=ZoZo |first=Madam |date=2018-02-13 |title=Fu Lu Shou: Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity |url=https://duendebymadamzozo.com/fu-lu-shou/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Duende by Madam ZoZo |language=en-AU}}

Corresponding stars and attributes

=Fuxing=

File:東甲北極殿正殿中脊福祿壽.jpg, Taiwan]]

The star of Fu ({{lang|zh|福}}), or Fuxing ({{zhi|s=福星|p=fúxīng|l=Star of fortune}}), corresponds to the planet Jupiter. According to folkloric beliefs, the planet is believed to be auspicious and would bring prosperity to those who receive its light.{{cite web | script-title=zh:正月二十八福星诞，老人说注意3个特点：福星高照日子旺，哪3个？ | website=命理学_网易订阅 | date=2024-03-08 | url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/ISMHQJRP0552LSYM.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-04}}

Alternatively, according to a Ming dynasty Taoist myth, the star of fortune is associated with Yang Cheng ({{lang-zh|t=楊成}}),http://www.chinaknowledge.de/Literature/Religion/personssanxing.html, retrieved 11 Des 2017 a governor of Daozhou in the Tang dynasty. Yang Cheng risked his life attempting to convince the emperor to free court dwarfs kept as slaves. After his death, the people built a temple to commemorate him, and over time he came to be considered the personification of good fortune.

Fuxing is generally depicted in scholar's dress with golden trim, holding a scroll, on which is sometimes written the character "Fu" ({{lang|zh|福}}). He may also be seen holding a child, or surrounded by children. He is sometimes conflated with Caishen, the chinese god of wealth.

=Luxing=

The star of Lu ({{lang|zh|祿}}), or Luxing ({{lang-zh|t=祿星|p=lùxīng}}), corresponds to Mizar ({{lang|grc|ζ}} Ursae Majoris), or in traditional Chinese astronomy, the sixth star in the Wenchang constellation ({{lang|zh|文昌六}}). Like the star of Fortune, it also came to be personified, and is believed to be Zhang Xian who lived during the Later Shu dynasty.{{cite web | script-title=zh:張仙大帝 | website=慈德慈惠堂 | url=https://www.gogo.org.tw/gods8.html | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-04}}{{cite web | script-title=zh:中国民间五神之禄星 | website=中国新闻网_梳理天下新闻 | date=2009-12-03 | url=https://www.chinanews.com.cn/hwjy/news/2009/12-03/1998903.shtml | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-04}} The character "Lu" specifically refers to the salary of a government official. As such, the star of Lu is considered the deity of prosperity, rank, and influence. He is often depicted holding a Ruyi scepter.{{cite web | script-title=zh:福祿壽三星 | website=財團法人大甲鎮瀾宮全球資訊網 | date=2013-03-01 | url=http://www.dajiamazu.org.tw/content/art/art04_01.aspx | language=zh | access-date=2024-05-23}}

The star of Lu is also worshipped separately from the other two as the deity dictating one's success in the imperial examinations, and therefore success in the imperial bureaucracy. The star of Lu is usually depicted in the dress of a mandarin.

=Shouxing=

The star of Shou, or Shouxing ({{lang-zh|t=壽星|p=Shòuxing|l=Star of longevity}}), corresponds to the star α Carinae (Canopus). Other names include Sau and Old Man of the South Pole. It is also called the "star of the south pole" in Chinese astronomy, and is believed to control the lifespans of mortals. 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 longevity god is usually shown smiling and friendly, and he may sometimes be carrying a calabash gourd filled with the elixir of life. He is sometimes conflated with Master Lao and immortals in Taoist theology.

Gallery

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|File:Tuaran Sabah LingSanPagoda-06.jpg|Fu, Lu and Shou statues on the roof of Ling San Temple, a Chinese folk religion's temple in Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia

|File:Nouvel_an_chinois_2015_Paris_13_autel.jpg|A street altar with Fu, Lu and Shou statues during Chinese New Year 2015 in Paris, France

|File:LonggangZhen-YongGongCi-0023.jpg|This shrine to a Master Yong in a Yangxin County village, Hubei features a tablet, high in the facade, saying "The Three Stars are Present". The symbol at the top of the facade is a stylised derivation of the character shou , "longevity"

|File:Feng shui deity of longevity - Old Man of the South Pole - Sau - Shou - Shouxing.jpg|Life-size wooden carving of Shou in private home

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