In many Feng Shui cultures, the FuLuShou is one of the most revered figures. They can be found practically everywhere in homes and offices where Feng Shui is practiced.
They arose from Chinese folk religion. Their famous depiction as three ancient, bearded wise men dates back to the Ming period, when the deities of the three stars were first shown in human form. They are sometimes confused with other deities of Chinese religion or Taoism.
Some will refer to them as Sanxing, which translates to “Three Stars” in Chinese. In Chinese culture, the word refers to the three characteristics of a happy existence. Statues of these three deities can be found on the façade of folk religion temples and ancestral shrines, in practically every Chinese home, and in many Chinese-owned businesses on modest altars with a glass of water, an orange, or other auspicious offerings, particularly during Chinese New Year.
They are generally ordered right to left (so Shou is on the viewer’s left, Lu is in the middle, and Fu is on the far right), just as Chinese characters are traditionally written from right to left.
The trinity consists of three members: the “Star of Wealth” 福星 (fuxing), the “Star of Prosperity” 祿星 (luxing), and the “Star of Longevity” 壽星 (shouxing).They are usually depicted as a trinity in a single painting or ske tch, or as three separate figures. In some regions of the world, people defy the Sanxing and use the word God in front, but this is more of a cultural belief in wealth, prosperity, and longevity.
3 Star Origins: Fu, Lu, Shou
The concept of Three Stars known as “Celestial Functionaries” (sanguan) originated with Master Zhang Daoling‘s religious movement during the late Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE).
The three celestial ministers were in charge of Heaven, Earth, and Water. The Minister of Heaven 天官 (tianguan) was considered to bring wealth; the Minister of Earth 地官(diguan) was thought to bring reprieve from punishment; and the Minister of Water 水官(shuiguan) was thought to bring aid in tough times.
During the Ming dynasty, these three immortals (or stars) were initially represented as ancient wise men. In Chinese society, the term is frequently used to express the three components of a happy existence.
You may Google it using the terms listed below, and they all mean the same thing.
- 3 three stars
- 3 gods of luck
- Fuk, Luk, Sau
- Fu, Lu, Shu
- 3 wealth gods
- 3 wise gods
- The lucky immortals
Legend of Fu—The Star of Blessing
The legend tells the account of Xang Cheng, a government official who served as the governor of Daozhou Prefecture (道州) during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was also known as Yang Gong (楊公) or Yang Cheng (楊成). He lived in a village full of midgets and other little people. At the time, the emperor thought midgets amusing and had them brought to his palace annually for his enjoyment. These peasants were not allowed to return to their homes.
When Xang Cheng learned that the midgets were dissatisfied, he did something extremely bold and nearly impossible. He wrote a letter with tremendous faith persuading him to cease removing the small people from their homes. Yang’s point of view was recognized by the emperor, who ordered that all midgets be returned to the prefecture to live with their loved ones.
Another example surrounds a businessman called Zhang who helped individuals in need by providing meals. When the deity of wealth and the deitiy of good news heard this, they decided to visit him and offer their blessings. Zhang, surprisingly, refused to open the door for them. When the deity of happiness arrived, Zhang happily opened the doors to welcome the deities. He reasoned that there would be nothing without happiness, money, and good news.
Eventually, Xang Cheng was honored as Fu Xing. The star deity of fortune, money, and happiness.
In reality, the Fu Star 歲星 (suixing) refers to Jupiter. It is worth noting that this star was originally designed for worship of the deity of wealth. However, over time, it evolved into a human picture that may bring individuals good fortune. It represents the five best things that can happen to a family: long life, prosperity, status, serenity and happiness, and a large number of offspring.
Recognizing Fu
The Star of Blessings is frequently depicted in scholar’s garb, carrying a scroll with the character “Fu” engraved on it. He may also appear with a child in his arms or surrounded by children. The scroll is a symbol of education and knowledge. The child is a sign of good fortune carried down through generations. He has a long beard and a cheerful smile.
Over his head is occasionally a mountain of gold and silver, as well as the character for “fortune” (fu). The Deity of Wealth is occasionally accompanied by a bat because to a wordplay between the Chinese terms for “prosperity” 福 (fu) and “bat” 蝠 (fu).
Legend of Lu: The Star of Prosperity and Status
The Deity of Status and Prosperity is associated with Immortal Zhang (張仙), who was most likely the same person as Zhang Xian, who lived in Sichuan during the Five Dynasties period (907-960), lived on Mt. Qingcheng, and practiced Dao.
The most well-known Zhang story is Meng Chang, the Emperor of Shu, and his concubine, Huarui. Meng drew a representation of himself as an archer and handed it to Lady Huarui, according to folklore. He resigned and saved his life when the Song dynasty eventually took over his land. Despite this, he died a week later for no apparent reason.
Huarui was then entrusted to Song’s king as his personal concubine. Huarui hung Meng’s portrait on the wall since she still had feelings for him. When the emperor questioned her about it, she stated it was the picture of Zhang Xian, a fertility deity who would give them sons. He was ecstatic when he heard this and began to worship the deity in the hopes of having sons.
Time passed with no sign of Huarui’s pregnancy. Then he had a dream in which Zhang explained why he hasn’t had children yet. When the emperor awoke, he directed that more Zhang paintings be created, and the people instantly began to revere him.
Legend has it that Lu Xing correlates to the six stars of the Wenchang Palace (文昌宮宫), which houses the deity who regulates access to governmental offices. The word lu (祿) literally means “register,” and refers to a list of government officials who will be paid. In this context, the term lu refers to a government official’s social standing rather than the amount of money he earns.
During the establishment of the Imperial Examination, a Chinese civil service recruiting process and education system, Lu Xing earned fame among common people and intellectuals. Because it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to become court officials during this time period, Lu Xing became a deity to whom most examinees prayed for blessing.
Recognizing Lu
In popular art, the Deity of Prosperity is depicted wearing the robes of a ministerial vice director and bearing a peony bloom, which symbolizes prosperity. He usually wears a hat with two flaps on both sides.
The Ru Yi scepter and a gold bar are his personal emblems. You might be able to find sculptures of him holding both. The gold bar is an obvious symbol of financial success, whether through salary, solid work, or any other source of money, and the Ru Yi scepter is a traditional feng shui career remedy.
Occasionally carries a baby or holds the hand of a tiny child. The figure of the Deity of Status is occasionally accompanied by a deer, or the picture is engraved with the word for deer, which is a pun because “deer” 鹿 (lù ) and “status” 祿 (lù ) are both pronounced similarly.
Legend of Shou: The Star of Longevity
As he is typically depicted as an elderly man, other names for the Star of Longevity include:
- “Old Guy Longevity Star” (Shouxing lao’er 壽星老兒 )
- “Old Immortal of the South Pole” (Nanji xianweng 南極仙翁)
- “Old Man from the Southpole” (Nanji laoren 南極老人 )
The following is Shou’s story. A young couple was admiring the night sky’s south pole star when it suddenly vanished. The lady later found out she was pregnant and suspected it had anything to do with her experience studying the night sky. The unborn child then told her in a dream that he would not be born for another ten years. After the baby did not appear in this world after 10 months, she began to believe that dream.
Because she had been pregnant for so long, she began to look for answers in her dreams. When the stone lion’s eyes became crimson, she realized the baby was about to be born. When she realized what was going on, she painted the stone lion’s eyes with pig’s blood. Shou Xing was born in the end. He was born permanently bald because he did not go through the complete ten-year incubation period. This was the reason for his prominent baldness and unusual forehead shape.
His aged appearance was explained by the fact that he had gone into the mountains to meditate. He resurfaced several decades later, armed with a walking stick, a gourd, and the peach of longevity. All of his earthly pals had gone by this point, and the only individuals he encountered were the great great grandchildren of others his age. This is why he appeared to be old. He’d become an immortal divinity.
There is also a well-known anecdote of a little child named Yan Chao who was predicted to have a short life by a notable fortune teller from the State of Wei named Guan Lu. Yan was then instructed to bring food and drink into the woodland to feed two elderly guys playing chess. The two wise men were revealed to be the star deities of the north and south poles. In exchange, San Xing increased Yan’s lifetime to 90 years, when he died.
The deity of Shou has the capacity to predict when each person would die. He knows how long each person will live ahead of time. As a result, people wish him a long life.
The heavenly constellations jue and kang depict the deity. It was believed that if this constellation could be seen, the earth would be at peace. As a result, tributes to this star deity have been made since ancient times, both at the palace and among ordinary people.
Recognizing Shou
The Star of Longevity is shown as an elderly man with a tall head, large ears, and a lengthy beard, but a young face. He carries a peach wood staff and the peach of immortality.
His peach is said to have come from the Holy Peach Garden of the deity Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West and Jade Emperor’s bride). Shou is seen in several statues clutching a Wu Lou, a health-giving gourd filled with the Elixir of Life. He frequently rides a deer, sometimes a crane, and is accompanied by a young child holding a peach.
Shou Xing is the most well-known of the three stars, and he often appears by himself.
Feng Shui and Three Stars “Sanxing”
The “Three Stars” or “Three Immortals” are a traditional feng shui treatment that is used to improve one’s health, riches, and success.
They can be referred to individually as Fu Xing, Lu Xing, and Shou Xing, with “Xing” meaning “star.” They are rarely revered, but their presence is supposed to bring good luck, therefore they can be found in the majority of Chinese homes. Each deity holds a symbolic object, and the three are never seen apart.
It is stated that facing the dining table provides numerous benefits, whereas facing the office provides authority, success, fame, and abundance.
Placement
The three immortals can be invoked to provide luck, prosperity, and longevity. You can choose from a variety of crucial spots. You don’t want to appear greedy to the deities if you have more than one group of deities.
Although Fu, Lu, and Shou are not gods to whom prayers are offered, they are highly respected and used in feng shui applications.
Fu, Lu, and Shou are always placed next to each other, never apart, and in a specific order. All three diets must be facing forward. They are traditionally arranged from right to left, with Fu on the viewer’s right, Lu in the middle, and Shou on the far left.
Because the three stars (sanxing) are dieties, they should be put according to the regular worship figure placement rules.
- This means you should avoid confronting them directly.
- There should be a backing for support wherever you place them.
- They work well on a high shelf at least 3 feet above the earth because they are dieties.
- They should be placed in a prominent, high-energy location to bring unity and good fortune to all.
- Fu Lu Shou should be displayed in places where consumers interact, such as a reception desk or a manager’s office.
- If they are placed on altars, they should face the main door or the skies through the windows.
- They should not be subjected to negative or harmful energy (sha chi).
The trinity should be placed in any room of the house because it brings luck in all aspects of life.
The best options can be found in the following places.
East Sector
The East signifies your luck in health industry. This is an excellent location for Fu, Lu, and Shou in your home or business. The three immortals should always face inside, never outward.
Northwest Sector
The luck sector of your mentor is in the northwest. The three immortals are commonly placed in this location to assist you in your career and life. If you’re having difficulty progressing in your job, “Sanxing” can assist you connect with a helpful mentor.
Dining Room
Figures of the three-star dieties guarding the dinner table can help bring good fortune and harmony to the household. They look great on a sideboard or china cabinet. Hang your painting on the east wall for good health. The three immortals should face the dining table in order to bless the food and your family.
The Living Room
If you place the “Sanxing” dieties in your living room, make sure there is a strong wall behind them. Place them on a table with a minimum of three feet between the tabletop and the floor. This height expresses reverence for the deities. A shelf that is at least three feet off the ground and has a solid wall behind it can be used as a showcase.
Office
Put them against the wall behind your chair for maximum efficiency in the workplace. The deities should be kept high enough to keep a watchful eye on you. This will guarantee that they will back you up while you carry out your responsibilities.
Put the three immortals in the northwest corner, opposite your desk, if you can’t fit them behind it.
Additionally, they are often displayed alone.
Fu, for example, is the joy deity. He is frequently shown in paintings or sculptures with happy symbols such as calligraphy or the mystic knot. He would almost certainly be best suited for the house’s relationship department.
Lu is the prosperity deity, hence he is associated with money. As a result, gold ingots are frequently depicted in artwork of this deity. His preferred location would be in the wealth industry.
Shou, the deity of longevity, is all about good health and living a long life. It’s no surprise that he’s often accompanied by symbols of longevity such as pine trees and cranes. The ideal location would undoubtedly be in the health section.
What to Avoid When Putting Up Star Dieties (Fu, Lu, and Shou)
- Star deities should be placed using the same feng shui concepts as other deities.
- Never face the three immortals out of a room; always face them in.
- Place the three immortals away from any doors or windows.
- Never keep the three immortals in the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom.
- Never, ever, ever, ever put Fu, Lu, or Shou on the floor.
- Never position Fu, Lu, or Shou in front of a restroom, bedroom, or kitchen.
Summary
The “Sanxing” trinity of deities, composed of the deity of Wealth Blessings (Fu), the diety of Prosperity (Lu), and the diety of Longevity (Shou), represents the Chinese fate deity. When these three deities are depicted in residences or places of business, fortune, wealth, and longevity are bestowed. Each deity is associated with a particular form of fortune, such as prosperity and harmony (Fu), power and wealth (Lu), and good health and longevity (Shou).
Since the Ming dynasty, the three deities have been portrayed as human beings. They are frequently preserved in Chinese homes, sanctuaries, and temples due to their high esteem in Chinese culture. Practitioners of Feng Shui use the Three Star Diets as remedies for money, health, and prosperity issues.
When Fu, Lu, and Shou are all present, they should be placed in a prominent, high-energy area and in a particular order. In general, the Three Stars Dieties are believed to bestow good fortune and blessings upon those who exhibit the characteristics of a happy existence.
