In Japan, Fukurokuju (福禄寿) (from Japanese fuku, "happiness"; roku, "wealth"; and ju, "longevity") is one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology.
It has been theorized that he is a Japanese assimilation of the Chinese Three Star Gods (Fulushou) embodied in one deity.
Most related in appearance to the Chinese star god Shou, he is the God of wisdom and longevity.
According to some, before attaining divinity, he was a Chinese hermit of the Song Dynasty and a reincarnation of the Taoist god Xuanwu. It is said that during his human incarnation, he was a sennin; a philosopher who could exist without eating food.
He is sometimes confused with Jurōjin, who by some accounts is Fukurokuju's grandson and by other accounts inhabits the same body as Fukurokuju.
In many depictions, Fukurokuju has an abnormally high forehead.
The sacred book tied to his staff either contains the lifespan of every
person on earth or a magical scripture. He is accompanied by a crane and a turtle, which are considered to be symbols of longevity.
He is also sometimes accompanied by a black deer (ancient legends say a deer turns black if it is over 2000 years old).
He is the only member of the Seven Lucky Gods credited with the ability to revive the dead.
In Japan, Jurōjin (寿老人), also known as Gama, is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune or Shichi-fuku-jin, according to Taoist beliefs.
He is the God of longevity.[1]
He walks with a staff and a fan.
He is depicted as an old man with a long white beard and often a very
tall bald head, with a scroll tied to his staff, on which is written the
lifespan of all living things. The deer, a symbol of longevity, usually (but not always) accompanies him as a messenger, as do other long-lived animals such as the crane and the tortoise. Jurōjin is often identified with Fukurokuju. The two are said to inhabit the same body.[2]
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