SOLD Antique Guanyin on a Mythical Hǒu, China, #16370

Description

The Hou (Hǒu) is the most powerful mythical animal in Chinese beliefs. Composed of 10 animals, it is revered for its ability to gather and guard money for its master, defend him from evil, and protect against bad fortune. As the mount of Guanyin, it sometimes resembles a Buddhist lion with its mouth open in a roar revealing fangs that represent Guanyin’s power over nature. Here it resembles a Buddhist lion with fangs, beard, bushy tail, deer horns and fish scales  The orb or pearl in its mouth is considered lucky, as rubbing it will bring good fortune. She is portrayed in red, symbolizing fu, and carries a ruyi a wish-granting wand which combines 2 traditional meanings. In Mahayana Buddhism, it is  a ceremonial scepter, but in Chinese Popular Religion it encompasses all other wishes including blessings, wealth, rank, good fortune, and longevity. As most ruyis, the top section resembles a sacred fungus (lingzhi) of immortality as a wish for long life, here is centered with a lotus. Guanyin, one of the Great Chinese Goddesses, is followed by Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion devotees.Made for a home altar it is carved in folk-art tradition with unique iconography and remarkable attention to details.  In excellent condition it is mounted on a modern hand finished frosted Acrylic base.