Hou

The Hǒu (犼), more commonly referred to as a Denglong (蹬龙), is worshiped the most powerful beast in China and revered for its mythical ability to gather and guard money for its masters, defend them from evil, and protect against ill-meaning wishes and bad fortune. It is the intermediary between the will of heaven and humans who is responsible for reporting the circumstances of all sentient beings to the heavens. This fierce beast is a composite of 10 animals: deer horns, camel head, cat ears, shrimp eyes, donkey mouth, lion hair, snake neck, Shen belly, koi (fish) scales, eagle front paws, and tiger rear paws. The Denglong resides on sacred Mount Sumeru, the sacred Buddhist five peaked mountain revered as the center of the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes in which are placed two lotuses, one-right-side-up and one upside down, and Buddhist rosary prayer beads. The Denglong is the Dragon King’s son who bestowed upon Guanyin the precious “Pearl of Light” that constantly shines as Guanyin reads her sutras. As Guanyin’s mount, this guardian creature is the master of the universe and the model for righteousness and morality symbolizing the mandate of heaven to usher in peace and prosperity. The depiction of Guanyin on a Hǒu (犼) began in the Ming Dynasty when she became part of the triad of the “Three Great Beings” which were displayed together in temples throughout China. The triad was composed with a Guanyin image in the center riding her Hǒu, Manjushri (Bodhisattva of Wisdom) on his mount the lion on her left, and to her right seated on an elephant Samantabhadra representing the principle of universal love and compassion. Prior to that time, the standard triad had a standing Amitabha Buddha as the central image.

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  • Antique Guanyin on a Mythical Hǒu, China (16370BCK) $875

    $875.00
    H: 9.5”  W: 2.25”  D: 6.5” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This remarkable and enchanting figurine is Guanyin on her mount, the Hǒu. Although the Hǒu is often a compilation of 10 animals, here it resembles a Buddhist lion with its open roaring mouth displaying its fangs, a beard, a bushy tail, deer horns and fish scales covering its body. The round orb in its mouth representing a pearl can be rubbed for good luck. She is modestly dressed, hair is in a plain bun with a simple crown, and devoid of jewels and sits on a delicately carved saddle with fringe edges, her left hand holding her belt and her right cradling a ruyi scepter. It is one of our most unique and favorite Buddhist statues,

  • Antique Miniature Home Altar Table, Decorative Panels with a Hǒu , China (19433BCK) $485

    $485.00
    H: 9”  W: 18.5”  D: 5.875” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    As a wish for a prosperous and healthy family with many sons, this small table probably was in a young couple’s bedroom to hold small personal statues and store precious items. On the right panel Guanyin sits a hǒu holding a lotus in each hand and the left panel has two rats with melons.  The 3 drawers and 2 doors have metal teardrop pulls on radiating scalloped discs. The doors and delicately scrolled apron are adorned with finely carved, painted, heavily gilded, and lacquer-covered reliefs surrounded by rounded borders with more auspicious symbols. The piece has a red and brown hue with bright red insets and is in excellent condition.

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  • Antique White Robed Guanyin on a Hǒu, China(16963BKE) $725

    $725.00
    H: 15.125”  W: 6”  D: 5” | FREE SHIPPING

    This extremely unique and charming White Robed Guanyin sits on her mount, a Hǒu, the mythical guardian beast who is the intermediary between the will of heaven and humans. Finely carved from one dense piece of wood, this Hǒu, although generally a forceful beast, is a gentle Buddhist creature curled around Guanyin’s side with mouth open bearing his tongue, well-defined hoofs, and flat tail. Guanyin sits  in lalitsana her right hand clasping a rosary. Her mature face leans forward with half closed eyes and smiling lips. This Popular Religion provincial folk version of Guanyin is modestly dressed and devoid of jewels and is a small yet powerful carving

     

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