bamboo
meaning: Emblem of longevity and honesty
bat
meaning: Emblem of happiness, an upside down bat signifies that good fortune and happiness has arrived. The Wu Fu, or five bats, stand for the five blessings; long life, riches, health, love and a natural death
butterfly
meaning: With a cat it means a wish to live to an old age. With peach blossoms, it means beauty and long life
carp
meaning: It represents benefit in business
cat
meaning: The cat is the protector of silkworms and dispenses evil spirits. They are said to be able to detect the spirits in the dark because of their good eyesight.
chrysanthemum
meaning: The emblem of autumn, and symbol of joviality. Also a symbol of long life, or duration
cockerel
meaning: It symbolises achievement and fame; and frightens away ghosts at sunrise with it’s crowing
crane
meaning: Longevity and superhuman wisdom. Cranes flying into the sky symbolise a rise in status
dragon
meaning: From the Han Dynasty the Dragon has been the imperial emblem of the Emperors. The coat of arms is two dragons contesting the fiery pearl
dragon headed fish
meaning: symbolises the change from carp to dragon. For long life and to help the owner stand out.
duck
meaning: Symbol of fidelity, and love. Often shown in pairs, like the doves in the west
eagle
meaning: represents strength
elephant
meaning: Stands for strength, and astuteness, and high moral standards
fish
meaning: is a symbol of wealth, a pair of fish represent marriage, fertility and tenacity
horse
meaning: Emblem of perseverance and speed.
lion
meaning: Also known as ‘Fu Dogs’, and symbols of superhuman strength, and protectors. They are emblems of valour and energy.
lotus
meaning: The symbol of purity and perfection, and an emblem of fruitfulness
monkey
meaning: The monkey drives away evil spirits. It is often seen holding a peach, which it stole from the garden of Xi-wang-mu
peach
meaning: It is a symbol for spring, marriage and immortality. It gave immortality to the ‘Immortals’ and was the elixir of life to the Daoists
peony
meaning: Is the king of flowers, and an omen of good fortune. Emblem of love and affection and feminine beauty.
pheasant
meaning: The imperial symbol of authority
pine tree
meaning: stands for long life
tortoise
meaning: symbolizes longevity and immortality
