Chinese Figurines Spotted at a Garage Sale

We spotted a garage sale last April 15 Good Friday while having a walking tour and Visita Iglesia near Taft Avenue within Pasay City .  The owner was offering a complete set of encyclopedia worth Php 500 for the entire set . We just looked at the copyright of the encyclopedia that was printed around mid-1950’s.  It would also be impossible for us to bring those items . She offered some Php 5.00 old Marcos era coins ( i think she got over 20 pieces from her grandmother) But we did not bought any coins. She was selling them for just Php 20.00 per piece but she can give them all for just Php 10.00 if we are going to get all of them ( pakyawan) at around Php 200.00.

The owner again offered us a laughing Buddha figurine for about Php 50 , however we are not that interested with the item.  Aside of being bulky, the figurine had some chip marks and missing some details.

She again offered a couple of Chinese and Buddhist figurines for about Php 350 for the entire lot . It was a collection of her late grandmother , who just recently died . Taking a second look , I manage to haggle the price to a more reasonable price of just Php 200 for the entire lot .

figurines

This is with 4 strands of crystal beads ( made of plastics) around the orange -colored Guan Yin Ma deity ( far right ) four plastic Sanxing or Fuk Luk Sau deities , one Sacred Heart of Jesus ( made of metal and Italy ) , a small laughing Buddha – made of plaster , a seated female deity ( probably made of plastic ) and another set of Fuk Luk Sau/ Fu Lu Shou deities carved from round stones and old bearded wise men ( probably made from high grade resin ) .

San Xing Deities or Fu Lu Shou  ( Mandarin) or Fuk Luk Sau ( Cantonese )

Fuk / Fu  is an old wise man often depicted holding either a scroll, or a child. There is a popular belief that Fuk is the personification of planet Jupiter, with all its associated energy of goof luck  and auspiciousness. The child is there to symbolize the transmission of this good luck to future generations. The scroll connoted value of learning or education. ( normally put in left side )

Luk/ Lu character in imperial China was official’s salary. It goes without saying that the energy of it is stability, fame and success, as well as financial abundance. Luk is often depicted holding either a ru yi symbol of power and authority, or a golden ingot, a popular wealth or financial symbol . ( normally at the center )

Sau / Shou means longevity. This is the wise old man that is usually depicted with a very high forehead and a warm smile on his face.

These items are normally not worship but are symbol of fortune, prosperity and health. They are normally given a special place in one houses or establishment . Some providing them separate altars and place.

For more information about the meaning Fu Lu Shou. We think that it was a bargain of the day.

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