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Our Deities Shichifukujin

The Seven Lucky Gods

The Seven Lucky Gods are group of popular deities whose origins stem from Indian, Chinese and Japanese gods of fortune. Shichi means seven, fuku means luck, and jin means god. Except one, all of the seven lucky Gods of Japan do not originate from Japan (Ebisu), three are from India (Daikokuten, Bishamonten, and Benzaiten) and three from China (Hotei, Jurojin, and Fukurokuju). Each of these seven has been acknowledged as a deity for more than a thousand years and each has its own believers, primarily hailing from the respective professions they belong to. Each of the seven Gods has specific characteristics in appearance, clothes and props that he or she carries or is seen with. These physical characteristics of each of the seven lucky Gods are distinct in that they are specifically related to the respective professions they patronize. The seven lucky gods look after the overall well-being of people and have come to be honored throughout the country. We have shortened their original names to make it easier to remember.

EBISU is a native Japanese God and is said to be a real person. Ebisu is the God of candour, fairness, wealth, good fortune. He is plump, has a smiling face, and pointed beard. He is usually dressed in richly brocaded, formal court garments. He carries a fishing rod and a fish called Tai, which represents plentiful food. Ebisu is the God of fishermen, judges, lawmakers, rice farmers, food, management, sailors, merchants, business executives and foreigners. He grants success to people in their chosen occupations. Ebisu represents the good fortune, bounty of the sea, and neutrality of men.

DAIKOKU originates from the Indian God of death, Mahakala who later became the God of war; some trace his origins to one of Japan’s prehistoric rulers. He is plump, has a broad smiling face, a pointed beard and short legs and is known as the God of Wealth and Prosperity. He is dressed like a rich Chinese gentleman with a beret, carries a golden mallet and a sack full of precious objects. The patron deity of artisans, craftsmen, farmers, and millers, as well as of businessmen, bankers and financiers, he is also known as the demon chaser. Daikoku, also known as Daikokuten brings good fortune and prosperity to those who believe in him.

BENTEN originates from the Indian Goddess Sarasvati, known as the Goddess of music, fine arts, eloquence, literature, She is the only woman among the seven Gods of fortune. She is known to be a jealous goddess. She carries a musical instrument called the Biwa and is seen with white snakes surrounding her. Benten is the goddess for performing artists, writers and dancers, painters, sculptors and gamblers. Benten represents water and is the patron of learning, music, art, and literature.

HOTEI is the incarnation of Bodhisattva Maitreya, a Zen priest belonging to China. He is based on an actual person who looked like a rogue and acted like a beggar and is popularly known as the Laughing Buddha. He is a bald, smiling man with a fat round belly, has bristly whiskers and a narrow forehead. Hotei is said to bring contentment and happiness, popularity and magnanimity. He carries a big bag, which is said to contain a never-ending supply of goods necessary for everyday living. Rubbing his nude belly is said to bring good fortune. He is the God of fortune, guardian of children and the patron of fortune-tellers and bartenders.

ROKUJU originates from an old Chinese tale about a mythical Chinese hermit (Sung Period) who was famous because he performed miracles and was said to embody the celestial powers of the south polar star. Roku means riches and Ju means longevity. He is the Chinese God of wisdom, happiness, wealth and long life; Rokuju is 3 feet tall, has a big head half his height, large eyes and a snowy, long white beard. He wears garments like those worn by ancient Chinese scholars and likes to play chess. He sometimes also has cranes and/or a tortoise near him. . He is the God of Chess players, watchmakers and athletes.

JUROJIN is a Taoist God, the God of wisdom. The scroll attached to his shaku, the holy staff that he carries is believed to contain all the wisdom of the world. He has a white beard and carries a holy staff and scroll and is seen accompanied by a deer. Funnily enough, considering he is said to be the God of wisdom, Jurojin, is said to be a heavy drunkard and known to enjoy the company of women. He is the God teachers, scientists, mathematicians and professors. Some believe he is the more practicle side of wisdom.

BISHAMO has his origins in India, where he was known as Viasravana, he is a Buddhist missionary , mistakenly called the god of war, probably because of his physical appearance which is taken literally. He wears an armour and helmet, carries a halberd in defence of faith and as a guard against all that is harmful. He is tall, has a bushy beard, carries a tower in one hand signifying faith and treasure; the pigeon is his messenger. He is the God for doctors, soldiers and priests. Bishamo, is usually portrayed with a severe countenance in order to keep everything evil away. He is worshipped as the God of dignity and the harbinger of good fortune, wealth, happiness, righteousness and religious faith.

Di-shin Scroll

This is one of the scrolls collected that relate to this otherwordly clan, that was said to fail. I refer you to the History page. Kuan Yi was believed to be the only deity they followed but departed them after their failure for unknown reasons.

"Listen to the deeds of the Cry-Regarder,

Who well responds to every quarter;

Vast is her vow as deep the sea,

Age-long, and inconceivable.

Who hears her name and looks to her,

Unremittingly remembering her,

Will end the sorrows of existence.

* * *

Sorrows of birth, age, disease, death,

All will thus be ended.

True regard, serene regard,

Far-reaching, wise regard,

Regard of pity, regard compassionate,

Ever longed for, ever looked for,

In radiance ever pure and serene!

Wisdom's sun, destroying darkness,

Subduer of woes, of storm, of fire,

Illuminator of the world!

Law of pity, thunder quivering,

Compassion wondrous as a great cloud,

Pouring spiritual rain like nectar,

Quenching all the flames of distress!

* * *

Voice of the Regarder, wondrous voice,

Voice of the rolling tide, Brahma-voice,

Voice all world-surpassing,

Ever to be cherished in mind

With never a doubting thought.

World's Cry-Regarder, pure and holy,

In pain, distress, in death or woe,

Potent as a sure reliance,

Perfect in every virtuous merit,

All-beholding with eyes of pity,

Boundless ocean-store of blessings!

Prostrate, let us make obeisance."

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, known as Kuan Yin to the Japanese and Chinese, and Chenresig to the Tibetans, is the bodhisattva who most embodies compassion. The name Avalokitesvara has its root meaning as "he who observes the sounds of the world". The great vow of Avalokitesvara is to listen to the supplications, and cries for help from those in difficulty in the world and to provide them with aid. He takes many different forms....male, female, four-armed, thousand-armed, human, non-human, teacher, student...whatever expedient means are needed to help people most effectively.

Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, an emanation of Amida Buddha's compassion, is the "Regarder of the Cries of the World". Sometimes referred to in the West as the Goddess of Mercy. (Note: Avalokitesvara means "Kuan Yin" in Sanskrit, the language of early India, from an earlier time when The Cry Regarder was depicted as a male figure. "Kuan Yin" is Chinese; "Kannon" is Japanese.)