What does gourd mean in Chinese?
1，In Chinese culture, gourds have rich symbolic meanings. It symbolizes fortune, as the pronunciation of "gourd" is similar to that of "fortune". People often use the pattern of gourds in traditional art forms such as painting, carving, embroidery, etc. For example, carving gourd patterns on some traditional wooden doors and windows symbolizes that the family can be happy and prosperous, and the wealth can be abundant. 2. Gourds are closely related to Taoist culture. Taoists often use gourds to hold elixirs and other items. Legend has it that gourds are also considered as magical tools for immortals, capable of containing monsters and other creatures,
2.，Gourds are closely related to Taoist culture. Taoists often use gourds to hold elixirs and other items. Legend has it that gourds are also considered as magical tools for immortals, capable of containing monsters and other creatures.
The historical story of the gourd
1，In the ancient and chaotic era of Fuxi and Nuwa, the Jade Emperor, intending to punish mankind, ordered the annihilation of humanity. The Thunder God, fearing that Fuxi and Nuwa would not escape the calamity, gave Fuxi a magical gourd seed and instructed him to plant it in the Kongsang area by the Sishui River. The gourd seed grew and matured rapidly. Fuxi and Nuwa then made an opening in the gourd and placed everything they needed for survival inside. When the flood came, the two of them entered the magical gourd and survived
2，Nu Wa Melting Stones to Mend the Sky: Legend has it that the Golden Gourd meticulously crafted by Nu Wa could nurture countless magical artifacts. In ancient times, the heavens and earth suffered a catastrophic disaster, with cracks appearing in the sky, floods raging, and all living beings in distress. Nu Wa used the five-colored stones from the Golden Gourd to mend the rift in the sky, thus saving all sentient beings
3，The Purple-Gold Red Gourd of Laozi the Supreme: In "Journey to the West," the Purple-Gold Red Gourd was refined by Laozi the Supreme using spiritual entities from heaven and earth. During the journey to obtain the Buddhist scriptures, the Gold Horned King and the Silver Horned King wielded this gourd to battle Sun Wukong. If they called out the other's name and the other responded, they would be sucked into the gourd and dissolved into puss within a very short time
4，Iron-Crutch Li and the Gourd: Legend has it that Iron-Crutch Li's gourd contains elixirs that can cure illnesses and save lives. When the Eight Immortals crossed the sea, Iron-Crutch Li threw his gourd into the water, and it instantly grew larger. He sat on it and rode the waves, successfully making his way across the sea
Is the gourd also a magical instrument?
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In Taoist culture, the gourd is an important magical instrument. Taoist priests use gourds to store elixirs because of their large internal space and relatively good sealing properties, which can effectively preserve the elixirs. For example, the elixirs refined by Taoist figures such as Zhang Daoling, the Heavenly Master, are often stored in gourds according to legends.
The gourd is also believed to possess magical powers. In myths and Taoist legends, gourds can contain demons, evil spirits, and the like. For instance, Tie Guai Li, one of the Eight Immortals, has a gourd as one of his magical treasures. It can spray flames, release elixirs to save people, and even exert magical powers in critical moments. For example, when crossing the sea, the gourd can grow larger and become a tool for navigating the waters.
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Association in Buddhist Culture
Although the gourd is not a typical magical instrument in Buddhism as it is in Taoism, it does appear in some Buddhist stories and artistic representations. In some Thangka paintings and temple decorations of Tibetan Buddhism, the gourd may appear as a auspicious symbol, sometimes combined with elements such as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, adding an aura of good fortune to the paintings.
Magical Instrument Attributes in Folk Beliefs
In some folk witchcraft and sacrificial activities, the gourd is also used as a magical instrument. For example, in exorcism ceremonies in some places, sorcerers may hold a gourd and, through chanting mantras and other methods, use it to absorb or disperse so-called "evil spirits". The gourd is also believed to be able to store and guide "spiritual energy", helping people communicate with deities or resist the infringement of evil forces
The feng shui (symbolism) of the gourd
- have both fame and wealth
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Because the pronunciation of "gourd" (hulu) is similar to that of "blessing and prosperity" (fulu) in Chinese, the gourd symbolizes both good fortune and official emolument. "Fu" (blessing) represents happiness and good fortune, including wishes for a harmonious family, health, longevity, and many other wonderful blessings; "Lu" (prosperity), in ancient times, referred to one's salary or stipend, symbolizing wealth, status, and fame and success. People often wear accessories shaped like gourds or use gourd patterns in home decor, such as hanging Chinese knots in the shape of gourds in the living room or carving gourd patterns on doors and windows, all in the hope of bringing the good luck of both blessing and prosperity.
Many Offspring and Much Blessing
The gourd is a vine plant with sprawling vines and many seeds inside. In traditional beliefs, the sprawling vines symbolize the continuation and prosperity of the family, while the numerous seeds represent many children and grandchildren. This symbolism was particularly important in ancient society, where people hoped for a thriving family. For example, at some traditional weddings, there would be craftwork in the shape of gourds, blessing the newlyweds with early and noble offspring and a prosperous family.
Health and Longevity
The shape of the gourd is usually round and full, and roundness has the meaning of completeness in cultural beliefs. Moreover, the growth cycle of the gourd is relatively long, taking some time from sowing to maturity. These characteristics have endowed the gourd with the symbolism of health and longevity. If there is a gourd ornament in an elderly person's room, or if a gourd-shaped gift, such as a carving of Shoushan stone in the shape of a gourd, is given to an elder, it expresses the beautiful wish for the elder's health and longevity.
Warding Off Evil and Disaster
In folk beliefs, the gourd is considered to have the function of warding off evil. Its unique shape, with a small mouth and a big belly, is seen as being able to absorb evil spirits, disasters, and other undesirable things. For example, some places will hang gourds at the door to block external evil influences from entering the house; small gourd ornaments are hung in cars to hope for safe driving and to avoid disasters such as traffic accidents.
Harmonious Couple
The gourd consists of two parts connected in the middle, which is seen as a symbol of the husband-wife relationship. The husband and wife are like the two parts of the gourd, mutually dependent and sharing the same heart. Placing a gourd ornament in the bedroom of a couple, such as tying two small gourds together with a red string and placing them at the bedside, symbolizes that the couple can live in harmony and love
