Fukurokuju facts for kids

Fukurokuju

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.

Japanese Mythology & Folklore

Mythic Texts and Folktales: Kojiki | Nihon Shoki | Otogizōshi | Yotsuya Kaidan Urashima Tarō | Kintarō | Momotarō | Tamamo-no-Mae Divinities: Izanami | Izanagi | Amaterasu Susanoo | Ama-no-Uzume | Inari List of divinities | Kami | Seven Lucky Gods Legendary Creatures: Oni | Kappa | Tengu | Tanuki | Fox | Yōkai | Dragon Mythical and Sacred Places: Mt. Hiei | Mt. Fuji | Izumo | Ryūgū-jō | Takamagahara | Yomi

Images for kids

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  Fukurokuju

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  Fukurokuju by Morikuni (1679-1748)

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  A stone sculpture of Fukurokuju in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture