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Various symbols from Chinese culture are used to decorate teawares. We have listed some here to help you get a better appreciation for them. These were sourced from a wide variety of sites online and reorganized here to make the list easier to refer to. We also joined together duplications across these various sites. If you think of something worth adding here, please let us know.
Group |
Members |
3 Abundances |
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3 Chinese coins tied with red ribbon |
Good Luck
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3 Friends in Winter |
Because they all can flourish during the winter:
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3 Many |
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3 Officials |
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3 Rounds |
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3 Star Gods |
Popular gods whose duties are, respectively, to increase happiness, wealth, and length of life.
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4 Beauties |
Four ancient Chinese women, renowned for their beauty. Few historical records exist so much of what is known today has been greatly embellished by legend. They exercised influence over kings and emperors and impacted Chinese history. Three brought kingdoms to their knees, and the lives of all four ended in tragedy or under mysterious circumstances. They lived in four different dynasties, hundreds of years apart.
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4 Blessings |
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4 Directions |
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4 Divine Creatures |
Symbolize the four directions and an associated season as follows:
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4 Gentlemen |
Each plant represents a seasons and together represent a year:
Plum and bamboo together signify friendship. |
4 Happinesses |
From a poem by Hong Mai (洪迈 1123-1202) of the Song Dynasty:
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4 Seasons |
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5 Elegant Beauties |
Each is a different motif that reflects natural beauty:
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5 Elements |
There are five universal elements in Chinese philosophy, associated with five planets in ancient times, also associated with colors.
The elements are further associated with the animal zodiac signs. Every twelve-year sequence, the animal takes on one of the elements, until all five have been used. |
5 Poisons |
The Chinese believe the five poisons counteract pernicious influences by combating poison with poison.
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8 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. Most common:
In Buddhism:
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8 Immortals |
Eight Taoists/Daoists who attained immortality:
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9 Similitudes |
A greeting or felicitous wish. |
9 Dragon Sons |
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10 Symbols of Longevity |
Traditional Chinese symbols representing a long life. Also very popular in ancient Korea for charms and other works of art.
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12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac |
There are 12 animals that cycle through every 12 years:
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12 Symbols of Sovereignty |
Per the ancient Book of Rites (liji 礼记), 12 is the number of Heaven so these are associated with the Emperor, Son of Heaven.
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Month |
Symbol |
1 |
Plum (mei 梅) |
2 |
Peach (tao 桃) |
3 |
Tree Peonyor mudan (牡丹) |
4 |
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5 |
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6 |
Pomegranate (shiliu 石榴) |
7 |
Lotus (lianhua 莲花 or hehua 荷花) |
8 |
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9 |
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10 |
Chrysanthemum (ju 菊) |
11 |
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12 |
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Number |
Meaning(s) |
4 |
Associated with death |
6 |
Good luck – Chinese character for six (liu 六) has similar pronunciation to "prosperity" (lu 禄). It is also similar to pronunciation of "to flow" (liu 流), and so symbolizes "to go smoothly". |
8 |
The most auspicious number because its pronunciation, particularly in southern dialects, is very similar to "prosper" or "wealth" (fa cai 发财). |
9 |
Considered lucky because the Chinese character for nine has the same pronunciation as the word "forever" (jiu 久). |
Color |
Meaning(s) |
Black |
One of the 4 colors of longevity. Used in daily wear but it also signifies mourning like white. A black ribbon is put at the top of deceased picture. |
Blue |
One of the 4 colors of longevity.Also used on sadder occasions like death and mourning. |
Brown |
Element: Earth (dirt, soil) |
Green |
Prosperity, health, and harmony. |
Red |
Good luck and happiness – used in great abundance at the time of special occasions and festivals and also to drive off evil spirits. Also the element of fire and the planet Mars. |
White or Silver |
One of the 4 colors of longevity. Signifies death, mourning, sadness, but also longevity. Can also be interchanged with silver as a symbol of mourning. |
Yellow and Gold |
One of the 4 colors of longevity. Also a good luck color -- sometimes paired with red if there is no gold color. Also the color of the robes and attire of the emperors. A mourning color for Chinese Buddhists, especially for mourning deceased monks. |
Item |
Meaning(s) |
Apple |
Peace – a visual pun, the Chinese word for apple and for peace (pingan 平安) are pronounced ping. |
Apricot grove or field |
Success – used in the imperial examination system since the very first celebration honoring successful candidates allegedly took place in an apricot grove. |
Bamboo (zhu 竹) |
One of the 3 Friends in Winter
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Cabbage |
Wealth – it has the same pronunciation as the word "money" or "wealth" (cai 财). |
Calamus |
Protection – the long, stiff leaves resemble swords, which provide protection, so hanging calamus above gates and doors is believed to help protect from evil spirits, disease and misfortune. |
Cassia |
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Chestnut |
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Chrysanthemum |
One of the 4 Gentlemen
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Citron |
One of the 3 Abundances (3 Plenties)
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Cypress |
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Date fruit or Chinese jujube |
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Fungus |
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Gourd |
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Lotus |
One of 8 Auspicious Symbols
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Money Tree |
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Mugwort |
One of a larger group of objects that can be members of the 8 Treasures
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Narcissus |
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Onion |
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Orange |
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Orchid |
One of the 4 Gentlemen
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Osmanthus |
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Peach |
One of the 3 Abundances (3 Plenties)
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Peanut |
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Tree Peony |
Signifies the 3rd month of the lunar calendar.
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Persimmon |
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Pine tree |
A member of the 3 Friends in Winter
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Plum |
A member of the 3 Friends in Winter
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Pomegranate |
A member of the 3 Abundances (3 Plenties)
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Pumpkin |
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Wheat Bran |
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Willow |
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Animal |
Meaning(s) |
Badger |
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Bat |
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Bear |
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Bee |
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Birds |
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Bixie |
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Boar |
See “pig”. |
Butterfly |
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Carp (koi) and goldfish |
Good Luck
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Cat |
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Cicada |
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Cock |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Crab |
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Crane |
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Cricket |
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Crow, three legged |
One of the 12 Symbols of Sovereignty
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Deer |
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Dog |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Dove |
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Dragon |
One of the 12 Symbols of Sovereignty.
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Dragons Son Baxia (Bixi) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Bi An (Bian) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Chi Wen (Chao Feng or Chiwen) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Gongfu (Gong Fu) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Pu Lao (Puloa) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Ch'iu niu (Quiniu) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Suan Ni (Suanni) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Taotie (Tootie) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragons Son Ya Zi (Yazi) |
One of the 9 Dragon Sons
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Dragonfly |
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Ducks |
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Eagle (Hawk) |
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Egret |
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Elephant |
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Fenghuang |
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Fish |
One of the "8 Buddhist symbols of good fortune"
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Frog (wa 蛙) |
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Goat |
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Goldfish |
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Goose |
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Grasshopper |
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Heron (Egret) |
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Horse (ma 马) |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Kingfisher |
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Leopard |
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Lion |
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Liu Hai (刘海) |
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Lobster |
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Magpie/ bird |
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Mantis |
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Money Frog |
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Monkey (hou 猴) |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Owl |
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Ox (牛 - niú) See entry for water buffalo. |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Panda |
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Parrot |
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Peacock |
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Pheasant |
One of the 12 Imperial Symbols of Sovereignty
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Phoenix |
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Phoenix and Dragon |
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Phoenix, the Red Bird of the South |
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Phoenix |
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Pig, Boar, Hog |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Qilin |
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Quail |
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Rabbit (Hare) |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Ram |
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Rat |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Rhinoceros Horns |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Rooster
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One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Sheep |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Shrimp |
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Snake |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Spider |
One of the 5 Poisonous Animals
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Stork |
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Swallow |
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3-legged toad |
Good Luck
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Tiger (leopard) |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Toad(chan 蟾) |
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Tortoise |
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Unicorn |
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Water buffalo |
One of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac
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Wolves |
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Name |
Description |
Double Seven |
A pair of magpies symbolizes marriage based on an ancient legend concerning two heavenly lovers, the Oxherd and the Weaver Girl (Weaving Maiden). The two are separated for eternity except for one day each year (this festival) when they are allowed to meet each other by crossing a celestial river on a bridge made of magpies. |
Qingming Festival (清明节) |
Tomb sweeping day – honoring one’s ancestors by sweeping away debris with willow (liu 柳) which is considered magical. |
Spring Festival |
People like to paste onto their doors and windows the paper-cut 'Fu' character (happiness), combined with a snake twisting around a rabbit onto their doors and windows as a popular pattern indicating wealth. |
Item |
Meaning(s) |
Axe (axe head) |
One of the 12 Imperial Symbols
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Calligraphy |
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Castanets |
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Cha Qu Characters |
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Chime Stone |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Chinese Knot |
More about the red knot history and symbology: The Chinese knot (中国结) is a decorative craft begun as a folk art during the Tang and Song Dynasties (960-1279 AD) and later became popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911 AD). The knot ('jie') means vigor, harmony, and unification, making this a popular gift for thousands of years as an embodiment best wishes. It started as a decorative addition to clothing (often coupled with wearing jade jewelry). Later, the knot design was used to decorate people's houses. A Chinese knot will be symmetrical in design and be embellished with colorful jade or porcelain beads. History: The art of tying knots dates back to prehistoric times, as much as 100,000 years. Old bone needles used for sewing and bodkins, which were used to untie knots, have been found dating that far back. Few examples of the actual knotting exist today, since the material tended to rot away. Images of knots on bronze vessels of the Warring States period (481-221 BCE), Buddhist carvings of the Northern Dynasties period (317-581 BCE), and silk paintings during the Western Han period (206 BCE–CE6) do still exist and confirm how long this craft has been around. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) knotting finally became an acceptable art form in Chinese society, appearing as designs on a variety of items such as this item. Knotting continued to flourish up until about the end of Imperial China. It declined during the wars (1911-1950) and revived after the 1980s. |
Chopsticks |
Hope for newlyweds to have children quickly – the pronunciation is the same as "fast" (kuai 快) "sons" (zi 子). |
Clouds |
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Coin |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Coral |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Crystals |
Good Luck
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Dumplings |
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Fly Whisk |
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Four Happiness Boys |
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gold (the color) |
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Longevity Stones |
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Lozenge |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Mirror |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Moon |
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Mountain |
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Mystic knots |
Good Luck
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Pearl |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Red envelopes |
Good Luck
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Reed Pipe |
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Ribbons |
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Ruyi or Scepter (如意) |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Saddle (horse) |
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Shoes |
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Silver Ingots |
One of the 8 Treasures
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Swastika |
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Sword |
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Teapot |
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Treasure Bowl |
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Vase or Bottle |
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Wealth pots |
Good Luck
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white (the color) |
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Writing Brush and Silver Ingot |
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Item |
Meaning(s) |
Buddha |
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Buddha's Hand |
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Door Gods |
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Fu Lu Shou |
Fu Lu Shou refers to the three Chinese deities:
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Halberd |
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Iron Goddess of Mercy |
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Kitchen God |
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Tianlu |
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Yinyang (阴 阳) |
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Zhenwu (真武) |
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