Often but not always depicted in pairs with one on each side looking modestly down to offer respect and obeisance to a deity, Buddhist and Taoist attendants. They may carry a range of items: umbrellas and fans to offer shade and protection Buddhist, Taoist, or Popular Religion deities, pillboxes and medicine gourds for Gods of Medicine; swords, insignia, or other martial items for military generals and deities; a seal to authorize a noble’s edict; lances or swords to protect their lord or lady, tablets that declare their authority; gold and silver bars (taels), strings of coins, and swords for Wealth Gods; chains and locks to retain a prisoner; and plates, bowls or trays of refreshment foods or fruits. The object carried is often a Chinese homonym, pun, or symbol with multiple meanings. Some offering plates hold an offering of three items on a plate symbolizing longevity or wealth. A Chinese attendant offering a peach is their wish for longevity and a long life for whoever the offering is for. Ceramic attendants in varying numbers were also included as mingqi in tombs to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Hindu deities have attendants who increase their power and strength such as Nanda, Shiva’s principal disciple, chief attendant, leader of his attendants called ganas and guardian of all four-footed animals. Guanyin’s acolytes Shancai and Longnii are sometimes referred to as her attendants.
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Guandi lived during the latter part of the Han Dynasty and is the best known and most revered Chinese military historical hero. He was canonized in 1504 as Guan Di, the Taoist God of War and China’s Protector. According to Keith Stevens, he is “all things to all men, not only prayed to for protection…
Guandi lived during the latter Han Dynasty and is one of China’s best known Taoist-Deities and its most revered military and historical hero canonized in 1504 as Guan Di, the Taoist God of War and Protector of China. According to Keith Stevens, he is “all things to all men, not only prayed to for protection…
Attendant figures are usually presented on an altar in pairs flanking revered figure they honor. This lovely carving is an enlightened being indicated by her pendulous ears, an elevated flowing ribbon, and blissful smile. She traditionally carries offerings which might be food, fruit, medicine, or other unique items. Her extremely pleasing face highlights her modesty as…
This sweet diminutive antique-Chinese-wood-carving of an enlightened Buddhist attendant on a double lotus base that was commissioned by the proud father to celebrate and bless a marriage as indicated by the inscription on the rear 陈门李氏双全 that indicates that it belonged to the Lee family. Although its meaning is not entirely clear, it appears to…
Attendants like this often accompanied Taoist figures on home altars, along with other deities and spiritual images. They frequently presented offerings to them which, when tied with ribbons, symbolized “ longevity for generations”. This 18-19th century carving may have accompanied a significant deity as the statue was covered in gilt and lacquer, some which has naturally darkened from age and from years of incense, age and use.
Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India. As one of Hinduism’s mythical animals, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a…
Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India. As one of Hinduism’s mythical animals, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a…
Ancestor-figures portrayed as Chinese officials were placed on a home altar with other house gods and Buddhist or Popular Religion images to bring “fu” to the household. During the Qing dynasty, designation as an official was so significant families sought to emphasize this achievement in their family ancestral figures. They normally have serious expressions and…
Statues of attendants often appear as a pair looking inward and flanking a deity, unless they are very important ones and look straight ahead. They may carry a range of offerings. This antique Chinese woodcarving appears to be a Taoist image likely placed on a home altar along with deities, house gods and ancestors to…
In China a set of earthenware Zodiac attendant figures was made as a 12 piece grouping, with each figure holding a small calendar animal with each year represented by a different animal – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig or boar – in a repeating 12-year cycle. Although…
Buddhist and Taoist deities were often placed on a home altar accompanied by a pair of attendants, one on each side, looking downward with modesty or inward with respect. Taoist attendants often carried unique offerings such as medicinal gourds/potions or pillboxes for medicine gods or baskets or sacks of gold and silver blocks for wealth…
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