Symbology, The bat for the Chinese. – Esotericisms.com

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In many countries, certain animals have certain symbols associated with things like good luck or prediction of the future. We recently saw what the lucky beetles meant, and on this occasion we explained what the symbolism of the bat is for the Chinese, since it is always related to good luck but why is it? Now let’s see what is the symbology, The bat for the Chinese.

Symbology, The bat for the Chinese

The bats They are considered in China a symbol of happiness or good omensher name means happiness or embraced wings.

Apparently, and now we explain it to you, andhe way of pronouncing the word bat with that of the word “luck” has a certain relationship and in part, that would be the reason why this animal, in China, is a symbol of good omen.

Why is the bat a symbol of good luck for the Chinese?

As I have already mentioned, one of the reasons why the bat is a symbol of good luck for the Chinese is because it its pronunciation in Chinese, (fu蝠) is similar to that of the word good luck or happiness (福fu) and from there that relationship was born.

Also, often the bat is shown in pictures flying upside down because the word ( DAO 倒) for “upside down” has the character ( DAO 到) meaning “to have arrived” and both are pronounced DAO.

Therefore, if a person means “the bat is flying backwards” a listener could simply hear something like “happiness has arrived” and Of course, this has a very auspicious connotation.

Along with the words and visual representations of the bat in China, it can be said that some charms show five bats which signify the “five blessings».

These five blessings would be: longevity, wealth, health and composure, virtue and the desire to die a natural death in old age.

The representation of bats in Chinese art

Are expressed in Chinese artwhere bats appear on vases, paintings and plates to attract good wishes.

Among its symbols or ways of representing them would be:

“Xinyu” What does fairy rat or goblin rat mean?
«Tinyu» which means celestial rat, in India and Egypt they were sacred. In addition, the symbol “Wo Fu” is quite a popular symbol of Asian art: they are 5 bats that surround the symbol of longevity, demonstrating its relationship with health, longevity, virtuosity, happiness and prosperity. Also many times these creatures also are often depicted with a peach, a popular symbol of female fertility.

The peaches, being one of man’s favorite fruits, were first cultivated in China about 5,000 years ago. Before that, these fruits had bats for the dispersal of their seeds.

Also, in the Manchu period, bats were very popular and used everywhere. Were painted on vases and walls, and they were used in the tunics of the emperors and were carved in furniture and thrones.

In ancient texts of traditional Chinese medicine it is stated that “the white old bat powder” prolongs human life and “cures childhood epilepsy.”

The legend of good luck bats in China

According to legend, the bats were mice that had eaten salt, beans, or some oil..

In one of the fables of Aesop It is said of the bat that it is an opportunistic animal, since in the fight that the mammals and birds always flattered the winning sidesaying that it was a mammal or a bird depending on the circumstances.

When finally the mammals and the birds agreed to peace, the bat was despised by both.

Since then, this animal with membranous wings has not dared to show itself in the daylight and waits for nightfall to come out of its hiding place.

The symbology of bats and Chinese medicine

The symbolism of the bat in China, has a relationship or an interpretation with respect to traditional Chinese medicine, since the powder of the old bat of white color has the property or ability to prolong life.

Furthermore, it is also used to cure childhood epilepsy. The truth is, however, that it has never been reliably demonstrated that bat dust is a factor that determines longevity or that it has therapeutic virtues.

The Chinese charm of bats

As we have already pointed out, the legend or symbolism of the bat in Chinese culture also has to do with legends and charms that show five bats that represent the “Five Blessings” and which, as I already mentioned, are: longevity, wealth, health and composure, virtue and the desire to die a natural death in old age.

That is why it is a very popular design found in many traditional Chinese houses and is made up of five bats surrounding the Chinese character for “longevity” (shou 壽), which represents the expression wu fu Peng shou (五福捧寿) or “five fortunes surrounding longevity”.

The symbology of the Chinese bat today

At present, the image of the bat is still represented in numerous works of modern art and objects destined for traditional festivals.

In this way, we can find some paintings which have been created by many bats and a peach. The latter is the Chinese symbol of longevity.

The set expresses a meaning that has to do with long life and “a lot of happiness” that we can have in life. A symbolism that is deep rooted in Chinese mythology.

On the other hand, you can find other paintings that have as their motive a bat and a coin with a square hole in its center.

It is said that the conjunction of these two symbols means the wish for an early arrival of good luck.

And not only that, in a print of New Year a red bat appears, symbol of good omenand a god who is capable of driving away evil spirits, all of which represents the desire to attract happiness and drive away evil spirits.

In other paintings they also appear a bat and a deersomething that is a premonition for the Chinese happiness followed by wealth, since the pronunciation of the deer is related to wealth, added to the happiness that the bat represents.

The symbology of the bat in Spain

In Spain they represent the inverse since superstitions place it as a bad omensince if they enter a house, they can bring misfortune to its occupants, as well as a superstition tells that if he is staked on a tree, forming a cross, and given a blasphemous cigarette in a human voice, being the origin of these superstitions.

These arose during the Middle Ages in times of the inquisitionwhere they were associated with magical rites and witches, but in earlier times they were associated with dragons like their ancestors, and were appreciated as a good symbol.

The symbology of the bat and Feng Shui

On the other hand, the bat also has a certain relationship in Chinese culture, with Feng Shui, the technique through which to find peace and harmony.

Apart from the relationship with bad luck, many times in Feng Shui we find the representation of the bat since This animal “smells” those places that have an auspicious “chi”.

The “Chi” is that energy of life that is believed to be in all things and people in the world and through which we must “organize” our house (Feng Shui). In this way they are Many houses in China represent it to enrich your inner peace and attract good omens.

furthermore even They come to leave a space on the terrace or in the garden, so that bats can nest and from this rejoice since it means that they will have a prosperous life in that house.

We can come to say then that in relation to Feng-Shuithe bat is used as a wealth cure and it is considered a symbol of wealth because the bat word “fook” has the same pronunciation as “prosperity” in Chinese. This animal also came to represent longevity and happiness, making it an auspicious symbol in Chinese culture.

Symbology of the five bats

Bats are believed to have highly developed sensory parts to “smell” places with auspicious chi. So the next time these flying creatures come and nest in your house, rejoice because it heralds good fortune.

As we have already mentioned, but we now emphasize in this point dedicated to Feng Shui, it is said that the representation of five bats are a more powerful formula for abundance and the fulfillment of dreams. Chinese artists have used five bats to represent the five blessings: prosperity, long life, love of virtue, health, and a natural and transcendent death. These bats are often bright red in color and surround a stylized calligraphy known as the symbol of prosperity. This popular bat motif can often be found embroidered on expensive clothing, implying that a person’s prosperity was the result of a virtuous lifestyle.

The bat is also sometimes depicted biting into a gold coin and this plaque is enhanced by a mystical knot and red tassel. It is typically hung in the front of the house or indoors or at any chi entry point to invite wealth, health, good fortune and natural death at a ripe old age. A pair of bats brings double happiness.

Bats can be hung in the west or northwest to activate the metal element to have a happy family and mentor luck to get the support of useful and important people. You can also place them in your living room, library, reading room, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, and business space. Hang them on the outside of your door and window to prevent disease.

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