The Chinese Three House Gods, (The Three Star) mammoth ivory carving

The Name of the Chinese Three House Gods are: Fu,specifically refers to the salary of a government
Luk and Shau.official. As such, the Lu star is the star of prosperity,
Fu, the Fu Star is associated with Yang Cheng, arank, and influence. The Lu star was also worshipped
governor of Daozhou. Yang Cheng risked his life byseparately from the other two as the deity dictating
writing a memorial to the emperor to save the peopleone's success in the Imperial Examinations, and
from suffering. After his death, the people built atherefore success in the imperial bureaucracy. The Lu
temple to commemorate him, and over time he camestar is usually depicted in the dress of a mandarin.
to be considered the personification of good fortune.Shau, the star of the South Pole in Chinese astronomy,
The Fu star is often placed in the centre when theand is believed to control the life spans of mortals.
three are depicted as a group. He is generally depictedAccording to legend, he was carried in his mother's
in scholar's dress, holding a scroll, on which iswomb for ten year before being born, and was
sometimes written the character "Fu". He may also bealready an old man when delivered. He is recognized
seen holding a child, or surrounded by children.by his high, domed forehead and the peach which he
Lu, in traditional Chinese astronomy, the sixth star in thecarries as a symbol of immortality. The God of
Wenchang cluster, and like the Fu star came to beLongevity is usually shown smiling and friendly, and he
personified. The Lu star is believed to be Zhang Xianmay sometimes be carrying a gourd filled with Elixer of
who lived during the Later Shu dynasty. The word luLife.