Where do we even start with these two little pieces of sweetness?! We jumped at the opportunity to pick up these Chinese figurines at our last flea market. Our immediate attraction was based on the very colourful and detailed worked on each of these. Your first thought is what does all of this mean?! And truthfully, when we started out on this hunt for the 'meaning' of the figurines - we had no idea what we would discover! But luckily for you - we've got the skinny of all of it now!

The Sanxing, Fu and Shou are the gods of two stars and the two qualities of Prosperity (Fu) and Longevity (Shou). These icons are thought to date back to the Ming dynasty, when the gods of the three stars were represented in human form for the first time. They are often identified with other deities of the Chinese religion or Taoism.

Not only are these figurines said to bring 'longevity' and 'prosperity' but they are riddled in symbolism with all the fruit and animals on each. For example, the apricot that appears on each is a symbol of success. It is said that during the imperial examination system, the first celebration honouring successful candidates took place in an apricot grove. Imagine that! The dragon that is also featured in the above figurine, is symbolic of benevolence, prosperity, longevity, and the renewal of life. Ancient Chinese believed the dragon brought rain, good harvest and fertility.

So whether you believe that 'good luck' charms should adorn your bracelet or should be hung above the entrance door to your home - we believe the idea and messaging behind them is pure goodness! We are so glad to have learned about these meaningful 'good juju' pieces and we are certain we're never letting go of them! Not only are they interesting interior decor pieces but they are great conversation starters and absolutely the best reminders of what's truly important in life. Next time you're on the hunt for something meaningful to bring into your home - give something new a try. Remember, you don't always need to know everything before you go for it. Sometimes, half the fun is exploring and doing your research about your new found treasure!

Xox