The Hidden or Implied Meaning of Chinese Charm Symbols

Differences between Chinese Coins and Chinese Charms

Most old Chinese coins have an inscription of four Chinese characters to identify the historical time of their casting and their monetary value.

Most Chinese charms also have four (or more) Chinese character inscriptions but the inscription is not meant to identify when the charm was made or its monetary value (which is none). Instead, the inscription is either an auspicious desire, such as for good luck, good fortune, good health, success in the imperial examinations or business, etc., or a wish to avert misfortune from evil ghosts and spirits.

(For additional information on Chinese charm inscriptions, please see Guide to Reading Chinese Characters (Symbols) on Charms and English Translation of Chinese Charm Inscriptions.)

More importantly, and unlike Chinese coins, most Chinese charms also depict a variety of objects meant to enhance the inscriptions with rich symbolic meanings.

Visual and Spoken Puns

One of the peculiarities of the Chinese language is that it has a very large number of written characters but a much smaller number of spoken sounds. As a result, many Chinese characters share the same pronunciation, i.e. are homonyms.

The charms of the Ming (1368 - 1644 AD) and Qing (Ch'ing) (1644 - 1911 AD) dynasties, in particular, frequently took advantage of this characteristic. The charms may use depictions of animals, plants and other objects to substitute for other words because of their similarity in pronunciation, even though they may not have any other relationship to what is being expressed. This is what I mean by a hidden or implied meaning or visual pun, and what the Chinese refer to as auspicious or lucky pictures (jixiangtuan 吉祥图案). A more technical term would be a rebus.

Chinese Symbols and Their Meanings

Since a fundamental difference between old Chinese coins and charms has to do with the use of symbols, a basic understanding of the language of the symbols is needed to fully appreciate Chinese charms. Listed below, in alphabetical order, is a comprehensive list of objects that include those which have become symbols because of their similar pronunciation to auspicious Chinese words. Also included are other objects frequently seen on charms which have become symbols due to mythology, history or cultural associations.

Apple	An apple can be a visual pun for peace because the Chinese word for apple (pingguo 苹果) and the word for peace (pingan 平安) are both pronounced ping.
Apricot	An apricot grove, or field of apricots, is a symbol for success in the imperial examination system because the very first celebration honoring successful candidates allegedly took place in an apricot grove.
Axe (axe head)	The axe (fu 斧) has the same pronunciation as "happiness" (fu 福) and as a weapon symbolizes power and the ability to punish. The axe head is also one of the Twelve Imperial Symbols (see entry below) The axe is also the symbol of Lu Ban (鲁班) who is known as the God of Carpenters. In Buddhism, the axe symbolizes the destruction of evil. The axe can also refer to a marriage matchmaker.
Bamboo	Bamboo symbolizes the ideals of a Confucian scholar because both are perceived as upright, strong and resilient while still being gentle, graceful and refined. Bamboo also represents the ideals of the Taoists (Daoists) because it can bend during the worst weather but not break. Bamboo depicted on a charm is also a pun because the Chinese word for bamboo (zhu 竹) and the Chinese word for "to wish" or "to congratulate" (zhu 祝) are pronounced the same. Because it has a "hollow center" (kongxu 空虚), bamboo also symbolizes "modesty" (qianxu 谦虚) because the second character for both has the same pronunciation (xu). Bamboo was traditionally used to frighten away evil spirits, such as the mythical beast Nian (年), because when placed in a fire it would create a loud crackling sound similar to firecrackers.
Bat	A picture of a bat (fu 蝠) can be a visual pun for "good fortune" or happiness (fu 福) because both characters are pronounced fu. Often the bat is shown flying upside down because the character (dao 倒) for "upside-down" and the character (dao 到) meaning "to have arrived" are both pronounced dao. Therefore, if a person were to say "the bat is flying upside down" a listener could just as easily hear this as "happiness has arrived" which, of course, has a very auspicious connotation. Additionally, "a bat descending from the sky" (fuzi tianlai 蝠子天来) sounds exactly like "happiness descends from heaven" (fuzi tianlai 福子天来). Some charms display five bats which stand for the "Five Blessings", namely longevity, wealth, health and composure, virtue, and the desire to die a natural death in old age. (Please see Gourd Charms.) A Chinese charm or coin with a square central hole is sometimes referred to as an "eye coin" (yanqian 眼钱). The Chinese word for coin or money (qian 钱) is pronounced the same as the word for "before" (qian 前). Therefore, a picture of a bat (fu 蝠) on (zai 在) an "eye coin" (yanqian 眼钱) creates a visual pun since saying there is a "bat on the coin" (fu zai yan qian) sounds exactly like saying "happiness is before your eyes" (fu zai yan qian 福在眼前). Bats live in caves which represent portals to the beyond. For an example of an old Chinese charm with an upside down bat, please see the reverse side of the "hanging" charm at the Eight Treasures.
Bear	The bear (xiong 熊) is not often depicted on Chinese charms and amulets but it is a powerful animal that the Chinese believe can invoke fear in evil spirits just as well as humans. However, the bear is sometimes shown with an eagle because eagle or hawk (ying 鹰) and bear (xiong 熊) together sound just like the word "hero" (yingxiong 英雄).
Boar	See entry for pig below.
Bran	Bran (wheat bran) is an auspicious fertility symbol at marriages because its pronunciation (fu zi 麸子) sounds the same as "rich son" (fu zi 富子) thus representing the wish that the couple will produce children who will become wealthy.
Buddha's Hand	See entry for citron below.
Butterfly	The butterfly is a symbol of long life because the second character in butterfly (hudie 蝴蝶) has exactly the same pronounciation as the character 耋 (die) which means "70 or 80 years of age". The butterfly also signifies joy and warmth.
Cabbage	The cabbage (baicai 白菜 or qingcai 清菜) is a symbol for wealth because it has the same pronunciation as the word "money" or "wealth" (cai 财).
Carp	The carp fish is a commonly seen visual pun because the Chinese character for carp (li 鲤) is pronounced the same as both the character (li 利) for "profit" and the character (li 力) for "strength" or "power". The carp is also a symbol for an abundance of children because it produces many eggs. A pair of carp symbolizes a harmonious marriage. A frequently seen image is of a carp swimming and leaping against the current of a river to reach the spawning grounds. This refers to the legend (liyutiaolongmen 鲤鱼跳龙门) that a carp which is able to leap over the mythical "Dragon Gate" will become a dragon. This is an allegory for the persistent effort needed to overcome obstacles. Additional information can be found at the entry for "fish" below. For an example of a carp fish charm please see Fish Charms.
Cat	The cat (mao 猫) symbolizes wishes for a long life because it has the same pronunciation as the word for an 80 year old or "octogenarian" (mao 耄). The cat is also the protector of silkworms because it can ward off and kill mice and rats which attack these producers of silk thread.
Chestnut	The Chinese word for chestnut (lizi 栗子) sounds exactly like saying "establishing" (li 立) "sons" or "children" (zi 子) and therefore is a good luck symbol for creating a family. The first character in chestnut (li 栗) sounds the same as "etiquette" or "manners" (li 礼) and symbolizes those qualities in women.
Chopsticks	Chopsticks (kuai zi 筷子) symbolize the hope for newlyweds to have children quickly because the pronunciation is the same as "fast" (kuai 快) "sons" (zi 子).
Chime Stone	The chime stone (qing 磬) was a percussion musical instrument in ancient China. Each chime stone was flat and shaped similar to a chevron. A small hole at the top center allowed the stone to be hung from a frame. The musical instrument consisted of a set of 8 to 24 of these chime stones with each tuned to a different pitch. When struck with a mallet the chime stone produced a musical sound. Since many chime stones were made of jade, the chime stone also symbolizes wealth and riches.
Chrysanthemum	The chrysanthemum signifies the tenth month of the lunar calendar. The chrysanthemum, one of the Four Gentlemen, blooms late and in facing the winter symbolizes people who maintain their virtue despite adversity and temptation. Chrysanthemum (ju 菊) sometimes is a symbol for "forever" (yongjiu 永久), and thus meaning "longevity", because of the similarity in pronunciation. For the same reason, the chrysanthemum can also stand for the number "nine" (jiu 九).
Cicada	The cicada is a symbol of rebirth and immortality because after surviving underground for a long period of time it emerges and flies into the sky.
Citron or Buddha's Hand	The citron is a bright yellow lemon-like fruit with a thick rind and long finger-like tendrils. Because it resembles the familiar hand position of the Buddha, the citron has the auspicious Chinese name of foshou (佛手) which literally means "Buddha's Hand". The name foshou sounds very similar to the words fu (福 happiness) and shou (寿 longevity) and therefore the citron is a symbol for "happiness and longevity". The citron is one of the "Three Abundances" (see entry below).
Clouds	Clouds, sometimes referred to as "auspicious clouds" (xiangyun 祥云), represent the heavens and also "good luck" because the Chinese word for cloud (yun 云) is pronounced the same as yun (运) meaning "luck" or "fortune". Its form often resembles the auspicious shape of the lingzhi "fungus of immortality" (see Fungus entry below). The cloud is a commonly seen design and when repeated in a pattern symbolizes never-ending fortune. An auspicious cloud can be seen on an old Tang Dynasty coin at Ancient Chinese Coins with Charm Features and on an old four-character charm at Auspicious Inscriptions. For a comprehensive discussion of the relationship of the cloud, dragon, star, and moon symbols please visit Charm Symbols: Star, Moon, Cloud and Dragon
Coin	Chinese coins are a potent symbol of wealth and prosperity. The coin is one of the "Eight Treasures". Ancient Chinese coins are round with a square hole in the middle which reflects the Chinese view of the earth as square and the heavens as a circle. (See Book of Changes and Bagua Charms). A coin (qian 钱) can be a visual pun for "before your eyes" because the hole in the center is called an "eye" and the coin (qian) has the same pronunciation as the word "before" (qian 前).
Coral	Coral (shanhu 珊瑚) is included as one of the Eight Treasures and symbolizes longevity and official promotion. As a symbol of longevity, the Chinese have traditionally believed that coral represents an "iron tree" (tieshu 铁树) that grew under the sea and blossomed only once every hundred years. Red coral is considered particularly auspicious because the Chinese believe the color red signifies good luck, good fortune, and happiness. Additionally, coral resembles deer antlers and deer are symbols of longevity. Coral is also a symbol of official promotion because a coral button on the hat identified one of the nine grades of government officials.
Crab	The Chinese word for crab (蟹) and the Chinese word for harmony (协) are both pronounced xie. The crab symbol is sometimes used on charms which express a desire for peace such as the large tian xia tai ping (天下太平) charm shown at peace coins and charms. The crab is also used to symbolize success in the imperial examination system. This is because the Chinese word for the crab's shell (jia 甲) has the additional meaning of "first" as in achieving the highest score in the examination to become a government official.
Crane	The crane (he 鹤) is believed by the Chinese to live to a very old age and therefore is a symbol of longevity. Myths describe spirits and immortals as riding on cranes. The souls of the dead are said to be carried to the heavens by cranes. Because the pronunciation (he) is the same as that for the word "harmony" (he 合), the crane is sometimes shown on charms to imply a good and harmonious marriage. (Nowadays, the "crane" is humorously referred to as the "national bird of China". In this case, however, the "crane" refers to the large machines used to lift heavy objects to the top of buildings as part of China's major construction boom!)
Cypress	Because the Chinese word for cypress (bai 柏) is pronounced the same as the word for "one hundred" (bai 百), the cypress is frequently paired with other symbols to express "many" or "everything".
Date	The date fruit or Chinese jujube (zao 枣) conveys the meaning that something is going to happen soon because it has the same pronunciation as the word for "early" or "soon" (zao 早).
Deer	Deer are among the most frequently seen animals on charms. The Chinese character for deer is 鹿 which is pronounced lu. The Chinese character 禄, which refers to the salary a government official receives, is also pronounced lu. A picture of a deer is therefore expressing a wish for a top government office with a high salary. The Chinese believe the deer lives to a very great age and, as a result, has become a symbol for long life. The deer is traditionally believed to be the only animal able to find the magical lingzhi fungus of immortality. The deer is often seen by the side of Shou, the God of Longevity. The deer often is used as a verbal pun to refer to the God of Prosperity which has the same pronunciation (lu). See entry for God of Prosperity below. For examples of charms using a deer to refer to the salary of a government official, please see the eight-character charm at Eight Treasures and the jia guan jin lu (嘉官进禄) charm at Chinese Charms -- Auspicious Inscriptions.
Door Gods	Door Gods are images of two warriors which are hung on gates or doors to protect against evil spirits and misfortune. See Peach Charms for more information on Shen Tu and Yu Lei.
Dragon	The dragon (long 龙) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is believed to live in the mountains or in the seas and can fly into the heavens. Unlike the dragons of Europe, the Chinese dragon symbolizes benevolence, prosperity, longevity and the renewal of life. Ancient Chinese believed the dragon brought rain, good harvests and fertility. It is the symbol of the emperor when it has five claws. It is yang and associated with the east and spring. Conjoined dragon and phoenix represent the union of a man and a woman. For a more detailed discussion of the dragon symbol please see yinyang and the five elements as the basis for star, moon, cloud and dragon symbols.
Dragonfly	The dragonfly (qingting 蜻蜓) represents the Confucian ideal of pureness of character because its pronunciation is similar to the word for "pure" or "clear" (qing 清). The dragonfly also symbolizes the season of summer.
Ducks (Mandarin Ducks)	Mandarin ducks are believed to mate for life and, therefore, a pair of mandarin ducks symbolize fidelity, conjugal affection, peace and prosperity.
Dumplings (jiaozi)	Chinese dumplings (with meat or vegetable stuffing) symbolize wealth or riches because they are boat-shaped and thus resemble the silver ingots or sycee (see entry below) used in ancient China as money. The word dumpling (jiaozi 饺子) has the same pronunciation as the first paper money (jiaozi 交子) used in China which was during the early Song Dynasty. Ancient Chinese placed actual coins in dumplings with the wish that whoever found the coins would enjoy prosperity and good luck. Jiaozi has the hidden meaning of wishing for a large family because jiao (交) means "to have sexual intercourse" and zi (子) means "son" or "child". Dumplings stuffed with dates (see entry above) express a hope for the "early" birth of sons. Dumplings resemble the crescent moon and a wish for a year of abundance.
Eagle (Hawk)	The eagle or hawk (ying 鹰) symbolizes a "hero" (yingxiong 英雄) because the pronunciation is the same. See also entry for bear above.
Egret	See entry for heron below.
Eight (8)	The number eight (ba 八) is the most auspicious number because its pronunciation, particularly in southern dialects, is very similar to "prosper" or "wealth" (fa cai 发财).
Eight Immortals	The Eight Immortals (八仙) are eight daoists who have attained immortality and include: 1) Han Zhongli (汉钟离), who was a Han Dynasty general, is usually shown carrying a feather fan which he uses to revive the dead. 2) Lu Dongbin (吕洞宾), known for his drinking and fighting abilities, carries a demon-slaying sword and a fly whisk which he uses to walk on clouds or fly to heaven. 3) Zhang Guolao (张果老) rides a donkey, sometimes seated backwards, and carries a tube-shaped bamboo musical instrument called a yugu (鱼鼓). 4) Li Tieguai (李铁拐), known as "Li with the iron crutch", carries a gourd with magic elixir. (See Gourd Charms for more information.) 5) He Xiangu (何仙姑) is the only female in the group and usually carries a lotus, peach or fly whisk. 6) Han Xiangzi (韩湘子) carries a flute and can predict the future and make fruits and flowers grow out of season. 7) Cao Guojiu (曹国舅) carries a ruyi sceptre (see entry for ruyi below) or castanets which are two long "clappers". How he became an immortal is described in the Ming Dynasty novel "Journey to the West". (See Gourd Charms) 8) Lan Caihe (蓝采和), depicted as either a male or female, usually holds a fruit/flower basket, a bowl or a flute and whose story is also told in "Journey to the West".
Eight Treasures	The "Eight Treasures" (babao 八宝), also known as the "Eight Precious Things" and the "Eight Auspicious Treasures", may consist of eight ordinary symbols, the eight precious organs of the Buddha's body, the eight auspicious signs, or the various emblems of the eight Taoist Immortals. The most commonly seen members of the eight treasures include the coin, ruyi sceptre, coral, rhinoceros horn, silver ingot and the flaming pearl.
Fish	The Chinese character for fish (yu 鱼) is pronounced the same as the Chinese character for "abundance" or "surplus" (yu 余). The fish symbol is, therefore, frequently associated with other symbols and Chinese characters to symbolize the wish for "more" in the sense of "more" good luck, good fortune, long life and children. (Please see Ancient Chinese Fish Charms.) As an example, to express the wish for "having more happiness year after year" a charm may use the Chinese character 年 (nian) for year, and also include a picture of a fish, a lotus and a magpie. The fish (yu 鱼) represents "more" (yu 余). The character 莲 for lotus and the character 连 meaning "in succession or one after another", as in expressing year after year, are both pronounced lian. The magpie (xi que 喜鹊) is pronounced the same as happiness . So the fish, lotus, magpie and the Chinese character 年 (year) together would have the implied meaning of "more" "happiness" "year after year".
Five Blessings (Happinesses, Good Fortunes)	The "Five Blessings". also known as the "Five Happinesses" or "Five Good Fortunes", refer to longevity (寿), wealth (富), health and composure (康宁), virtue (修好德), and the desire to die a natural death in old age (考终命). The "Five Blessings" can be represented by five bats as seen on a charm at Gourd Charms.
Five Poisons	The five poisons (五毒), also known as the "Five Poisonous Creatures", refer to five poisonous animals which usually include the snake, scorpion, centipede, toad and spider. Sometimes, the lizard replaces the spider. The "three-legged toad" is frequently included as one of the five. The Chinese believe the five poisons counteract pernicious influences by combating poison with poison.
Four Divine Creatures	The Four Divine Creatures, also known as the Four Heraldic Animals and the Four Directional Animals, symbolize the four directions and an associated season as follows: red bird (zhuque 朱雀) south and summer; white tiger (baihu 白虎) west and autumn; blue-green dragon (qinglong 青龙) east and spring; black tortoise coiled around by a snake also known as the Black Warrior (xuanwu 玄武) north and winter. (See also entries for "Tortoise" and "Snake" below)
Four Gentlemen or Four Plants of Virtue	The Four Gentlemen (sijunzi 四君子), also known as the Four Plants of Virtue, include the plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. Each of these plants represents one of the seasons. The orchid represents spring. The bamboo represents summer. The chrysanthemum represents autumn and the plum represents winter. The four plants together represent a year. The plum and bamboo together signify friendship.
Frog	The frog (wa 蛙) is a symbol of fertility because it has the same pronunciation as the word for baby (wa 娃). See also entry for toad.
Fu Lu Shou	Fu Lu Shou refers to the three Chinese deities of the God of Happiness (Fu), the God of Prosperity (Lu), and the God of Longevity (Shou). Please see the individual entries below for detailed information.
Fungus (Lingzhi) (Fungus of Immortality)	Lingzhi (灵芝), also known as the glossy ganoderma, is the sacred fungus of immortality that grows on the trunks or roots of trees including the pine. The lingzhi does not decay like other fungus but instead becomes woody and thus can survive for a long time. For this reason, it has become associated with longevity. It was also believed to grow on the "Three Islands of the Immortals" where immortals lived. Deer are reputed to be the only animals able to find lingzhi. Deer and crane are sometimes shown holding the lingzhi in their mouth. To see a charm depicting the lingzhi, deer and pine, please see the hanging charm at Pendant Charms.
God of Examinations (Star of Literature)	Kuixing (魁星) is known as the God of Examinations or the Star of Literature. He was considered to have been influential in helping candidates pass the imperial civil service examinations. He is depicted as an ugly man (sometimes as a dwarf) with short horns, and holding a writing brush in his right hand and a scholar's hat (or peck measure) in his left. He is usually standing on the head of a large fish or a mythical turtle known as ao (鳌). The horns on his head represent success by alluding to the analogy of the carp fish jumping over the mythical Dragon Gate and turning into a dragon.
God of Happiness (Fu), God of Luck, God of Good Fortune and Blessings	Fu (福), which means good luck, fortune, blessings and happiness, refers to the "God of Happiness" who was originally a heavenly star known as the "Lucky Star" (fuxing 福星). He is also known as the "God of Good Fortune and Blessings" and as the "God of Luck". Early Taoism (Daoism) had three gods known as the "Three Officials" (sanguan 三官). One was named the "Heavenly Official who grants fortune" tianguancifu (天官赐福) and it was he who later became better known as the "God of Happiness". See also Lock Charms.
God of Longevity (Shou)	Shou (寿), also referred to as Shou Lao (寿老), the "Old Immortal of the South Pole" (nanjixianweng 南极仙翁), and the "Longevity Star" (shouxing 寿星), is the God of Longevity and is usually shown as a smiling old gentleman with a prominent forehead who holds a walking stick and carries a peach (tao 桃). As his name implies, Shou symbolizes a long life. Longevity was important to Confucians because they believed that wisdom came with age. Longevity was important to Taoists (Daoists) because of their quest for immortality. Shou is one of the "Three Officials" (sanguan 三官) along with the God of Happiness (Fu) and the God of Prosperity (Lu). See also Lock Charms.
God of Prosperity (Lu), God of Rank and Emolument	Lu (禄), also known as the God of Prosperity, the God of Rank and Emolument, and the God of High Ranking Office, is usually shown holding a ruyi (如意) which was originally a short sword with a sword-guard used for self-defense or gesturing but now symbolizes good wishes ("may things go as you wish") and prosperity. He was originally a heavenly star known as the "Prosperity Star" (luxing 禄星) and was believed to govern a person's success in a career. The God of Prosperity is closely associated with the auspicious saying "may office and salary be bestowed upon you" (加官进禄). Please see the four character charm at Charms with Auspicious Inscriptions. See also Lock Charms.
God of Thunder (Lei Gong)	The God of Thunder (Lei Shen 雷神), also known as the Duke of Thunder (Lei Gong 雷公), is the Daoist god responsible for punishing humans who have committed certain crimes and evil spirits which have harmed humans. He uses a drum to create thunder. Lei Gong is portrayed as being half eagle, with wings and a beak, and half human. Many Daoist charms seek the assistance of the God of Thunder in expelling evil influences and spirits, and bringing good fortune.
God of Wealth (Cai Shen)	The God of Wealth (caishen 财神) is a very popular Chinese deity whose presence is thought to ensure wealth and success. He is depicted with a long beard and wearing either an official's gown or military dress. He is usually shown holding or being surrounded by symbols of wealth such as coins, ingots, coral, etc. He is often shown holding a sword in his right hand raised above his head and wearing a distinctive hat with ear flaps. He is sometimes depicted as riding a black tiger.
Gods of Peace and Harmony (Hehe erxian)	These twin laughing immortals are known as the Gods of Peace and Harmony, the Gods of Unity and Harmony, Hehe erxian (和合二仙), the Laughing Twins and the Gods of Mirth. One twin is named Shi De (拾得) who usually holds a lotus. The other twin is Han Shan (寒山) who may hold a round box, ruyi sceptre, gourd, coin, persimmon, etc. They represent harmony and mirth and bestow blessings on marriages.
Goldfish	The goldfish (jinyu 金鱼) is a symbol for wealth because its first character (jin 金) means "gold" and its second character (yu) sounds like jade (yu 玉). Goldfish also symbolize abundant wealth because the first character (jin) means gold and the second character (yu) has the same pronunciation as the word for "abundance" or "surplus" (yu 余).
Gourd	The gourd is popular as a charm symbol to ward off evil spirits and disease because its first character (hulu 葫芦) has the same pronunciation as the word to "protect" or "guard" (hu 护) and also the word for "blessing" (hu 祜). In some dialects, the Chinese word for gourd (hulu 葫芦) sounds the same as fulu (福禄) which means "happiness and rank (as in attaining a high government office)". Trailing gourd vines are described in Chinese as man (蔓). This character can also be pronounced as wan and has the exact same pronunciation and meaning as 万 which means "10,000". Because the gourd contains many seeds, the Chinese associate the gourd with "10,000 children". In ancient China, parents hoped for many sons and grandsons so the gourd became an important symbol for a family with many children. Additional information is provided at gourd charms.
Halberd	The halberd (ji 戟) is an ancient Chinese infantry weapon consisting of a shaft with a spear and/or crescent-shaped blade on one end. The Chinese word for "halberd" (ji 戟) and the Chinese word for "lucky" or "auspicious" (吉) are both pronounced ji. A halberd is a visual pun or rebus for "lucky" as can be see on an old seal script charm at charms with auspicious inscriptions. The Chinese word for "halberd" (ji 戟) also has the same pronunciation, and thus is a pun, for the word "rank" or "grade" (ji 级) as in reference to an official position in the government.
Heron (Egret)	The heron or egret can represent a "path" or "way" because the Chinese word lu (鹭) has the same pronunciation as road or path (lu 路). The heron or egret (lu 鹭) can also symbolize wealth because the pronunciation is the same as an "official's salary" (lu 禄).
Horse	The horse (ma 马) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes speed, power and perseverance. The horse is usually depicted as the bearer of good things. For example, a galloping horse with several scrolls (the Yellow River Diagrams) tied on its back represents the bringing of the origins of Chinese culture to the legendary Chinese leader Fuxi. Please see Ancient Chinese Horse Coins for additional information.
Lion	The lion can represent the Buddha who, among his repeated births, was born 10 times as a lion.
Liu Hai and Three-Legged (Golden) Toad	Liu Hai (刘海) is one of the most popular members of the Chinese pantheon of charm Taoist (Daoist) figures and represents prosperity and wealth. For detailed information concerning Liu Hai and the Three-Legged (Golden) Toad please see the entry for "toad" below and also the web page Liu Hai.
Longevity Stone	Longevity Stones are strange-shaped rocks that are often shown next to the fungus of immortality at the bottom of charms. They convey the meaning of "long life" because of their age.
Lotus	Because the Buddha is often depicted as seated on a lotus, the lotus is considered a sacred Buddhist symbol representing purity and detachment from worldly cares. The lotus signifies the seventh month of the lunar calendar. The Chinese word for lotus is lianhua (莲花) or hehua (荷花). Lian is also the pronunciation of the word for continuous (连) and he is also the pronunciation for the word harmony (和) so the lotus has the hidden meaning of "continuous harmony". Lotus seeds (lianzi 莲籽) have the hidden meaning of "continuous birth of children" because the lian sounds like "continuous" (连) and the zi has the same pronunciation as the word for son or child (zi 子). Examples of lotus charms can be seen at open work charms and at pendant charms.
Lozenge	A lozenge (fang sheng 方胜) is one of the Eight Treasures and is considered a lucky object although the actually origin is still unclear. It has a diamond shape and two lozenges are frequently interlocked to represent the form of an ancient musical instrument. It is said that this object was also used as a head ornament in ancient times and symbolizes victory. Taoist (Daoist) legend has it that the Queen Mother of the West (xiwangmu 西王母) wore such as object to exorcise evil spirits. (The legend further describes the Queen Mother of the West as one who wore a heavy jade necklace, a dress made of mulberry leaves, and had the teeth of a tiger.)
Magpie	A magpie (xi que 喜鹊) is frequently used to symbolize "happiness" because the first character xi is the same word as happy (xi 喜). If the magpie is shown upside down, it means happiness has "arrived" because the Chinese words for "upside down" (倒) and "arrived" (到) are both pronounced dao. Two magpies facing each other symbolize "double happiness" (shuang xi 喜喜). A pair of magpies also symbolize marriage. This is based on an ancient legend concerning two heavenly lovers, the Oxherd and the Weaving Maiden. The two are separated for eternity except for one day each year (known as qixi 七夕, the Double Seven, or Sisters Festival) when they are allowed to meet each other by crossing a celestial river on a bridge made of magpies. One can say "there is a happy bird (magpie) on the tip of the plum branch" as xi shang mei shao (喜上梅稍) which sounds exactly like saying xi shang mei shao (喜上眉稍) which means "happiness up to one's eyebrows". This expression means "very happy". An example is the single loop charm at Pendant Charms. The xi bao san yuan (喜报三元) charm at Chinese Charms -- Auspicious Inscriptions depicts a magpie, leopard and pomegranates as symbols with hidden meanings.
Mirror	Mirrors in China symbolize good fortune and are believed to protect against evil spirits.
Monkey	The monkey (hou 猴) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The monkey is frequently seen as a visual pun for the Chinese inscription ma shang feng hou (马上风猴) where a monkey is shown riding on a horse. The first two characters of the inscription (ma shang) mean "on the horse" but also mean "at once". The third character (feng ) means "wind" (breeze) but the Chinese for "to grant a title" is also pronounced feng (封). The fourth character (hou) means "monkey" but another character with the same pronunciation (hou 侯) means "a marquis (i.e. a high official)". Therefore the picture of a monkey on a horse is a visual pun or rebus for the wish for an immediate promotion in official rank. The Monkey King (Sun Wukong 孙悟空) is a popular character in the famous Ming Dynasty novel the "Journey to the West" (Xiyouji 西游记).
Moon	For a comprehensive discussion of the relationship of the moon, dragon, star, and cloud symbols please visit Charm Symbols: Star, Moon, Cloud and Dragon
Mountain	Mountains are the places closest to the gods and because of their expanse and heights covey the meaning of limitless.
Mugwort (Artemisia Leaf)	The mugwort (ai 艾), also known as artemisia leaf, is one of a larger group of objects which can be a member of the Eight Treasures. It is a symbol for longevity because of its medicinal properties. In ancient times, mugwort was attached to doors and gates because its ragged leaves resemble tiger paws which were believed to provide protection.
Narcissus	Narcissus (shuixian 水仙) literally means "water immortal". The flower is therefore a symbol for an immortal. A typical rebus might be an image of a narcissus, a stone and bamboo. The meaning would be "the immortals" (narcissus) "wish" ((bamboo (zhu 竹) = wish (zhu 祝)) "you" a "long life" (longevity stone).
Nine (9)	The number nine (9) is considered lucky because the Chinese character for nine (jiu 九) has the same pronunciation as the word "forever" (jiu 久).
Nine (9) Similitudes	The "nine similitudes" is a reference from the "Book of Odes" (shijing 诗经) which is the earliest collection of Chinese poetry and includes poems, songs and hymns from the Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) and the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). The "nine similitudes" is now used as a greeting or felicitous wish translated as follows: "May you be as the mountains and the hills, as the greater and the lesser heights, as the streams which flow in all directions, having the constancy of the moon, like the rising sun, with the longevity of the southern mountain and the green luxuriance of the fir and the cypress."
Onion	The onion (cong 葱) is a visual pun for intelligence because it has the same pronunciation as the word for "intelligent" or "clever" (congming 聪明).
Orange	Oranges symbolize riches and good fortune because of their gold color. Also, the chinese character for the orange is ju (桔) which is composed of mu (木), meaning "tree", and ji (吉) meaning "lucky or auspicious". The two components of the character therefore imply that the orange is a "good luck" fruit.
Orchid	The orchid is one of the Four Gentlemen and stands for humility, modesty, beauty and refinement.
Osmanthus	An osmanthus blossom (gui 桂) can mean "honor" or "precious" because it has the same pronunciation as the word "valuable" or "precious" (gui 贵).
Ox	See entry for water buffalo.
Peach	The peach (tao 桃) signifies the second month of the lunar calendar. The peach symbolizes marriage, spring, justice and especially Daoist immortality (longevity). See Chinese Peach Charms for information concerning the mythology of the peach and peach wood, and how it came to symbolize longevity.
Peacock	The peacock symbolizes beauty and dignity as well as the desire for peace and prosperity. The ancient Chinese believed that one glance from a peacock could make a woman pregnant. Xi Wang Mu (西王母), the Queen Mother of the West, sometimes rode a peacock as a means of transportation instead of a stork. See Chinese Open Work Charms for an interesting charm depicting a pair of peacocks.
Peanut	The peanut (huasheng 花生) is an auspicious symbol because its second character (sheng 生) means to "give birth". It thus symbolizes the wish for many children.
Pearl (flaming pearl)	Dragons are often depicted as chasing a "pearl" like jewel object. The pearl may be thought of as a metaphor for perfection and enlightenment, particularly if the dragon represents the emperor. The pearl also resembles the moon. As a dragon devours the pearl, less and less of the pearl is seen and the pearl appears as a waning moon. As a dragon disgorges the pearl, more and more of the pearl is seen and the pearl therefore appears as a waxing moon. The dragon and pearl thus symbolize the endless cycle of transformation. Frequently, the "pearl" is shown with flames which symbolizes magical powers and may represent the wish-granting pearl of Buddhism. The pearl can also refer to riches, pure intentions and genius in obscurity. The pearl (flaming pearl) is one of the Eight Treasures.
Peony	The tree peony or mudan (牡丹) signifies the third month of the lunar calendar and symbolizes longevity, loyalty, happiness and eternal beauty. Because of the way it sometimes grows as doubles, the peony appears to the Chinese like strings of cash coins and thus has come to symbolize prosperity and wealth. For this reason, another name for the peony is fuguihua (富贵花) which means "flower of wealth and honor". A peony in a vase (ping 瓶) has the hidden meaning of "wealth and honor" (peony) and "peace" (because the vase is a rebus for "peace" (pingan 平安). For the mythology concerning the peony please see Chinese Open Work Charms.
Persimmon	The persimmon (shi 柿) is auspicious because of its round shape and brilliant orange color. It is used as a visual pun (rebus) because it has the same pronunciation as the word for "matters, affairs or events" (shi 事) and also the word for an "official" or "gentleman" (shi 仕).
Phoenix (fenghuang)	The Chinese phoenix is a mythical bird known as the fenghuang (凤凰) in Chinese. Unlike the phoenix of the West, the Chinese phoenix does not have the connotation of a bird rising from ashes. The Chinese phoenix symbolizes joy and peace. It is believed that the phoenix only makes an appearance during periods of prosperity, peace and good government. A dragon and phoenix shown together symbolize a happy and harmonious union. The phoenix is the yin equivalent of the dragon and is associated with the south and summer. The phoenix is also the symbol of the empress. A very attractive double phoenix charm can be seen at Chinese Open Work Charms.
Pig (Boar) (Hog)	The pig or boar (zhu 猪) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and traditionally symbolized the prosperity and good fortune of a family that could afford such a quality food source. An old Chinese custom was to have young male children wear hats and shoes in the shape of a pig. Chinese parents believed this would avoid misfortune since the evil spirits would be fooled into thinking the child was actually a pig.
Pine	The pine tree is a very common symbol for longevity because it is an evergreen and can endure severe winters. The pine also symbolizes solitude. The pine provides protection when planted near graves. This is because the mythical creature Wang Xiang (罔象), who devours the brains of the dead, is afraid of the pine.
Plum	The plum (mei 梅) signifies the first month of the lunar calendar. The plum symbolizes courage and hope because it blossoms first and bravely stands against the dangers of winter. The five petals of the plum blossom symbolize the "five blessings" (wufu 五福), also known as the "five happinesses" or "five good fortunes". These five blessings refer to longevity (寿), wealth (富), health and composure (康宁), virtue (修好德), and the desire to die a natural death in old age (考终命).
Pomegranate	The pomegranate (shiliu 石榴) signifies the sixth month of the lunar calendar and, because of its many seeds, represents fertility, offspring and descendants. The first character (shi 石) has the same pronunciation as the word for "generations" (shi 世) and thus strengthens the meaning as generations of descendants.
Pumpkin	Pumpkin (nangua 南瓜) sounds like "boy" (nan 男) and symbolizes the wish for sons.
Quail	The quail (anchun 鹌鹑) signifies courage because of its fighting spirit. It can also represent poverty. The quail is often used as a visual pun because it is pronounced the same as the word for "peace" (an 安).
Rabbit (Hare)	The rabbit (tuzi 兔子) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The rabbit symbolizes longevity because of the Taoist (Daoist) legend of the "moon hare" that lives on the moon making the elixir of immortality.
Rat	The rat (laoshu 老鼠) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The rat symbolizes fertility, abundance and wealth because of its reproduction abilities.
Reed Pipe	A reed pipe (sheng 笙) has the hidden meaning of "to give birth" because it has the same pronunciation as the Chinese word "to give birth" (sheng 生). A reed pipe (sheng 笙) can also mean "to rise" or be promoted continually one rank after another because it shares the same pronunication as the word "to rise" (sheng 升).
Rhinoceros Horns	A single or pair of rhinoceros horns (xijiao 犀角) is usually included as one of the Eight Treasures. Rhino horns symbolize happiness because the first character (xi 犀) is pronounced the same as the character for happiness (xi 喜).
Ribbons and fillets	Chinese symbols are frequently shown wrapped in ribbons which are also referred to as fillets. These ribbons add importance to the power of the object they surround. The ribbons can be thought of as rays or auras emanating from the object and symbolizing miraculous powers. The Chinese for ribbon is dai (带) which also has another meaning of "to carry". Another Chinese character with the same pronunciation (dai 代) means "generations". When the ribbon is shown connecting two or more auspicious objects, the hidden meaning of the ribbon therefore is "to carry along (good luck, good fortune, etc.) for generations". The Chinese word for a ribbon attached to a official seal or medal is shou dai (绶带). Shou (绶) has the same pronunciation as the word for "longevity" (shou 寿) and since dai (带) is pronounced the same as "generations" (dai 代), the hidden meaning is "longevity for generations". Even though Chinese charms are not able to display colors, the Chinese always use red colored ribbons in real life. Red (vermilion, cinnabar) is the color representing joy and it is used widely for marriages and other festive occasions. The Chinese word for red is hong (红). Other Chinese words with the same pronunciation include "great" (hong 宏) and "vast" (hong 洪), so any object wrapped in a (red) ribbon would also be enhanced through the phonetic pun of great and vast. For an example of charm symbols wrapped in ribbons please see the four-character seal script charm ("may your happiness be according to your wishes") at Charms with Auspicious Inscriptions.
Rooster	The rooster or cock is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Roosters are believed to be able to scare away demons. The Chinese for rooster (gongji 公鸡) is pronounced the same as "lucky" or "auspicious" (ji 吉). A crowing rooster (gong ming 公鸣) sounds like saying "merit and fame" (gong ming 功名).
Ruyi or Sceptre	The ruyi (如意), considered one of the Eight Treasures, was a sceptre which represented power and authority. The ruyi was originally a short sword with a sword-guard used for self-defense or gesturing. There is some speculation that it may have evolved from a back scratcher. The head of the ruyi is similar to that of the lingzhi or "fungus of immortality" (see Fungus entry above) and the lotus (see Lotus entry above). Its name is usually translated as "as you wish" or "in accordance with your desires". The ruyi now symbolizes good wishes and prosperity.
Saddle	A horse saddle (an 鞍) is a symbol for "peace" (an 安) because the pronunciation of the two words is the same.
Sheep	The sheep (yang 羊) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The sheep (yang) has the same pronunciation and therefore symbolizes the male principle yang in Yin Yang (阴阳) and also the "sun" (yang 阳). Sheep kneel when they nurse which to Confucians symbolize "filial piety" as bowing to the mother.
Shoes	Shoes can symbolize wealth because their shape is similar to silver ingots (sycee). (See entry for "silver ingots" below). Shoes (xie 鞋), because of identical pronunciation, are used in combination with other objects to express "in harmony with" (xie 谐) or "together with" (xie 偕). The special shoes worn by women with bound feet were called "lotus" (lian 莲) shoes. "Lotus" and "continuous" or "successive" (lian 连) have the same pronunciation and so "lotus" shoes symbolize a fertility wish for bearing children one after another.
Silver Ingots (sycee)	Silver became a measure of value during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD) and therefore represents wealth. The silver was moulded into boat-shaped or shoe-shaped ingots called sycee (细丝) which could weigh from 1 to 100 ounces. Sycee are also known as "saddle sycee", "silver sycee", and "drum-shaped sycee". Silver ingots or sycee also symbolize official office or rank because of a visual pun or rebus. Sycee are also known as yuanbao (元宝). Yuan (元) can also refer to coming in first in the examination system (see Charms with Auspicious Inscriptions). Therefore, showing three (3) silver ingots or sycee has the hidden meaning of coming in first in all three of the imperial examinations. Silver ingots are one of the Eight Treasures and symbolize brightness and purity.
Six (6)	The number six (6) is considered lucky because the Chinese character for six (liu 六) has a similar pronunciation to the word "prosperity" (lu 禄). The number six (6), in its more formal written form (liu 陆), coincidentally has exactly the same pronunciation as prosperity (lu 禄) when the character is used in a different context (lu 陆) such as a surname.
Snake	The snake (she 蛇) is a member of the Chinese zodiac and also a member of the "Five Poisons". In ancient times, snakes were believed to mate with with tortoises. Xuanwu, one of the "Four Divine Creatures" (see entry above) also known as the Black Warrior, is depicted as a tortoise with a snake entwined around it.
Spider	The spider (zhizhu 蜘蛛) is one of the five poisonous animals known as the "five poisons". Contrary to what one might expect, the "five poisons" are a good thing in that they are believed to counteract pernicious influences by combating poison with poison (see Five Poisons). When not a member of the five poisons, the spider is considered an auspicious symbol on its own. This is because another word for spider in Chinese is xizi (虫喜子) where the first character has the same pronunciation as the word for "happy" (xi 喜). A picture of a spider dropping down from its web is thus a visual pun for "happiness dropping from the sky". For the same reason, a spider signifies a wish to have a son or child because zi (子) means "son" and xizi thus sounds like "happy son".
Star	For a comprehensive discussion of the relationship of the star, moon, cloud, and dragon symbols please visit Charm Symbols: Star, Moon, Cloud and Dragon
Star Gods	The three Star Gods consist of the "lucky star" (fuxing 福星), the "prosperity star" (luxing 禄星) and the "longevity star" (shouxing 寿星). These gods evolved into Fu (God of Happiness), Lu (God of Prosperity) and Shou (God of Longevity). They are popular gods whose duties are, respectively, to increase happiness, wealth and length of life. Please see individual entries for the gods Fu, Lu and Shou above for additional information.
Stork	The stork (guan 鹳) is believed to live 1,000 years and is therefore a symbol of longevity. It is frequently shown together with pine trees which are another symbol of longevity. Storks are the means of transportation for both the Queen Mother of the West (xiwangmu 西王母) and the "longevity star" (shouxing 寿星). Because the word for stork (guan) sounds the same as the words for an "official" (guan 官), a "hat" (guan 冠), and "first place" (guan 冠), the stork also symbolizes promotion to a government office.
Swallow	The swallow (yan 燕) is associated with springtime and thus represents the coming of good fortune and prosperous change. Swallows are seen as bringing "new" to "old" because they, in effect, make "repairs" by building their mud nests in the cracks of walls and graves.
Swastika	The swastika is a very old Asian symbol. The symbol in China represents the Chinese character wan (万) meaning "ten-thousand". The extended meaning is "all" such as "the myriad things" as used in the Dao De Jing (道德经), the classic Taoist (Daoist) text written by Lao-zi (老子). An old Chinese coin with the swastika symbol can be seen at Emergence of Chinese Charms.
Sword	Immortals and gods use swords to cut through ignorance and evil. The sword is the symbol of Lu Dongbin (吕洞宾), one of the Eight Immortals, and symbolizes victory over evil. Zhong Kui (钟馗) was famous for having a magical sword that could slay evil spirits. Taoist (Daoist) charms displaying Lu Dongbin and Zhong Kui with their swords can be seen at pendant charms.
Three Abundances	The Three Abundances (sanduo 三多), also known as the Three Plenties, consists of the peach (symbolizing longevity), the pomegranate (symbolizing descendants or progeny) and the citron (symbolizing happiness and longevity).
Three Friends in Winter	Because they all can flourish during the winter, the pine, plum tree and bamboo are known as the Three Friends in Winter.
Three Officials	The Three Officials include the God of Happiness (Fu), the God of Prosperity (Lu) and the God of Longvevity (Shou). See the individual entries for more information.
Three Rounds	The Three Rounds refers to any grouping of three round objects. The Chinese word for "round" (yuan 圆) is pronounced the same as the word for "first" (yuan 元). In this case, "first" refers to being the top scholar in the examination system. With the addition of the number "three" (san 三), the meaning is to come in first in all three of the examinations. For an example please see the xi bao san yuan (喜报三元) charm at Charms with Auspicious Inscriptions.
Tiger (leopard)	The tiger (hu 虎) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The word for tiger (hu) is also a pun because it has the same pronunciation as the word "protect" (hu 护). The God of Wealth (caishen 财神) is sometimes shown riding a black tiger. Tigers appear on amulets because they are powerful animals, symbolize heroism, and are believed to be able to eat evil spirits, or at least cause them to flee, and can in general protect people from misfortune. Tigers also are able to see well in the dark. For these reasons, images of tigers and tiger's heads (see Peach Charms) are considered particularly effective in protecting children from malignant spirits. Tigers also symbolize longevity because the ancient Chinese believed tigers could live for 1,000 years. An example of a charm displaying a tiger can be seen at the Five Poisons.
Toad	The Chinese for "toad" is pronounced chanchu (蟾蜍), sometimes shortened to just chan (蟾). In some Chinese dialects the pronunciation of "toad" (chan) is very similar to that for "coin" (qian 钱). Liu Hai and the Three-Legged Toad is a story involving a play on these similar-sounding words. See also entry for frog.
Tortoise	The tortoise (gui 龟) has a long life-span and is, therefore, a natural symbol for longevity. The tortoise also represents strength and endurance. The tortoise is associated with the north and winter. (See entries for "Four Divine Creatures" and "Snake" above for information on Xuanwu (玄武) the tortoise encircled by a snake.) The physical appearance of the tortoise resembles the Chinese view of the universe in that it has a round domed outer shell like the vault of heaven and its lower body is flat like the earth. Its shell was used in very ancient times in divination.
Twelve Imperial Symbols	According to the ancient Book of Rites (liji 礼记), twelve is the number of Heaven. Therefore, there are Twelve Imperial Symbols, also known as Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority, associated with the emperor who is the Son of Heaven. The twelve symbols include the sun (sometimes represented as a three-legged bird in a red disk); the moon (sometimes represented as a rabbit or hare in a green-white disk); stars (sometimes represented by the "big dipper" constellation or simply three small circles); mountains (symbolizing stability and "earth" of the five elements); a pair of five-clawed dragons (representing beasts); a pheasant (representing birds); the fu (黻) symbol which looks like back-to-back bows and symbolizes "good and evil" (and is also the alleged source of the yin yang symbol); the axe head (fu 斧) (symbolizing the power to make decisions and punish); a pair of goblets (representing "metal" of the five elements); grain or millet (representing "wood" of the five elements); aquatic grass (representing "water" of the five elements); and red flames (representing "fire" of the five elements).
Unicorn (Chinese Unicorn)	The qilin (麒麟) or Chinese unicorn represents good luck , prosperity, goodwill and benevolence. It is described as having a deer's body, an ox's tail, fish scales, five-toed hoofed feet and a horn on its head. The qilin is associated with sages and excellent rulers, and is believed to appear when a new sage is born as was the case with Confucius. (See Confucian Charms). It is associated with the west and autumn. A charm with a qilin can be see at open work charms.
Vase or Bottle	A picture of a bottle or vase can represent the meaning of "peace" or "safety" because both the character for vase (ping 瓶) and that for peace (pingan 平安) are pronounced ping. A vase (ping 瓶) with flowers from all four seasons (siji 四季) conveys the hidden meaning of peace for all the year (sijipingan 四季平安).
Water Buffalo (Ox)	Because of their dependence in agriculture, the water buffalo or ox (niu 牛) symbolizes springtime, harvest and fertility. To city dwellers and government officials, water buffalo probably also represented a simple and idyllic life. (For an interesting story concerning the "Wu buffalo" please see the jia guan jin lu (嘉官进禄) "four character charm" at Auspicious Inscriptions.)
Willow	The willow (liu 柳) is associated with the life of scholars and poets who drew inspiration while strolling among them. Its branches were considered magical and were used in exorcisms and in "sweeping tombs" during the Qingming Festival (清明节). Because of similarity in pronunciation to the Chinese word "to part" (li 离), willow branches also represent parting and sorrow since they were traditionally given to friends departing for distant lands.
Writing Brush and Silver Ingot	To express the hope that "things will certainly go according to your wishes", a charm can have the Chinese characters (如意) for "as you wish" but may also depict a writing brush and a silver ingot or sycee (细丝) (a saddle-shaped silver ingot used for money in ancient China). This is because the characters for "brush" (笔) and "ingot" (锭) said together are "biding" which is the same pronunciation as the characters 必定 for "certainly".
Yinyang (Taiji)	Yin Yang (阴阳) is the Chinese term for the basic polarities of the universe, e.g. male/female, light/dark, strong/weak, etc. The "supreme ultimate" symbol, known as taiji (太极), is a circle with an S-shaped curve separating it into two equal halves. One half represents yin and the other half represents yang. In the center of each half is a small circle which represents the other half. A representative charm with the taiji symbol can be seen at the Book of Changes and Bagua.
Zhenwu	The Daoist god Zhenwu (真武), also known as the Perfected Warrior, evolved over the centuries from Xuanwu (玄武) which was a tortoise encircled by a snake that represented the north. (See entries above for "Four Divine Creatures", "Snake" and "Tortoise".) Zhenwu is associated with healing and protection. Zhenwu can be seen portrayed on a charm at Daoist (Taoist) Charms.

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