shòuxing: 寿星 - Birthday Person, God of Longevity [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== shòuxing: 寿星 - Birthday Person, God of Longevity ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** shouxing, shòuxing, 寿星, God of Longevity, Chinese birthday person, person celebrating a birthday, Canopus, Chinese mythology, longevity god, birthday boy, birthday girl in Chinese, Chinese birthday traditions.
  * **Summary:** In Chinese culture, **寿星 (shòuxing)** is a special term for the person whose birthday is being celebrated, similar to "birthday boy" or "birthday girl," but with a deeper cultural meaning. It literally translates to "Longevity Star" and is also the name of the Chinese God of Longevity, a beloved deity often depicted as a smiling old man with a large forehead. Calling someone a `shòuxing` on their birthday is not just a description; it's a powerful blessing, wishing them a long, healthy, and fortunate life, making it a cornerstone of Chinese birthday traditions, especially for elders.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shòu xīng
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A
  * **Concise Definition:** The person whose birthday is being celebrated; the God of Longevity.
  * **In a Nutshell:** `寿星 (shòuxing)` is the title of honor for someone on their birthday. While it can be used for people of any age, it carries the most weight and respect when referring to an older person. The term connects the individual to the mythological "Longevity Star" (the god Shouxing), transforming a simple birthday celebration into a moment of cultural reverence and a collective wish for a long and happy life.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **寿 (shòu):** This character means "longevity," "long life," or "lifespan." It is one of the most auspicious characters in Chinese culture and is frequently seen in calligraphy, art, and decorations for birthday celebrations for the elderly.
  * **星 (xīng):** This character means "star" or "celestial body."
  * **Combined Meaning:** Together, `寿星 (shòuxing)` literally means "Longevity Star." This name originates from ancient Chinese astronomy, referring to Canopus, the "Star of the South Pole." Daoist philosophy later personified this star as the deity who controlled human lifespans, the God of Longevity. When you call someone a `shòuxing`, you are metaphorically calling them this auspicious star for the day.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese tradition, `寿星 (shòuxing)` is one of the three star gods known as `[[福禄寿]] (Fú Lù Shòu)`, who represent Fortune (Fu), Prosperity (Lu), and Longevity (Shou). Shouxing is arguably the most famous and is easily recognizable in Chinese art. He is depicted as a kind, smiling old man with a noticeably large, domed forehead, a long white beard, and often carrying a peach of immortality and a dragon-headed staff.
  * This imagery is deeply embedded in the culture. Calling a grandfather or grandmother the `shòuxing` on their 80th birthday is a profound act of respect and love. It elevates them from just being "the person with the birthday" to being the living embodiment of the cultural wish for a long, venerable life.
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In American culture, you might call someone the "birthday boy" or "birthday girl." These terms are playful and celebratory but are largely secular and age-neutral. `寿星 (shòuxing)` is different because it is imbued with mythology, respect, and a specific cultural value: the deep reverence for longevity. While you can call a 20-year-old a `shòuxing`, the term's cultural power and significance amplify dramatically with the person's age. It's a wish, a blessing, and a title of honor all in one.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **At Birthday Parties:** This is the most common usage. It's used to refer to the guest of honor directly and affectionately.
    *   "//Let the `shòuxing` cut the cake first!//", "//Where is our `shòuxing`?//"
  * **Wishing Someone Happy Birthday:** It's often used in birthday wishes, both spoken and written.
    *   "//Happy birthday to our family's `shòuxing`!//"
  * **Informal/Humorous Use:** Among close friends, it can be used teasingly to describe someone who is moving slowly or acting like an old person.
    *   "//Hurry up! You're walking like a little old `shòuxing` today.//" This usage is highly informal and depends on a close relationship.
  * **Referring to the Deity:** The term is also used in its original sense when discussing mythology, art, or temple culture.
    *   "//This painting depicts the God of Longevity, `Shòuxing`.//"
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 今天你是**寿星**，你最大！
    * Pinyin: Jīntiān nǐ shì **shòuxing**, nǐ zuì dà!
    * English: Today you're the birthday star, you're the boss!
    * Analysis: A very common and playful phrase said at birthday parties. "你最大 (nǐ zuì dà)" literally means "you are the biggest," implying the person has the final say for the day.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 祝我们家的小**寿星**生日快乐！
    * Pinyin: Zhù wǒmen jiā de xiǎo **shòuxing** shēngrì kuàilè!
    * English: Wishing the little birthday star of our family a happy birthday!
    * Analysis: The use of `小 (xiǎo)`, meaning "little," makes this a warm and affectionate way to refer to a younger person or child on their birthday.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 咱们一起给老**寿星**敬一杯酒。
    * Pinyin: Zánmen yīqǐ gěi lǎo **shòuxing** jìng yībēi jiǔ.
    * English: Let's all toast the old birthday star together.
    * Analysis: Here, `老 (lǎo)`, meaning "old," is used as a term of respect and endearment for an elderly person. `敬酒 (jìngjiǔ)` is the act of respectfully offering a toast.
  * **Example 4:**
    * **寿星**想吃什么，我们就点什么。
    * Pinyin: **Shòuxing** xiǎng chī shénme, wǒmen jiù diǎn shénme.
    * English: Whatever the birthday person wants to eat, that's what we'll order.
    * Analysis: This shows how the `shòuxing` is the center of attention and their wishes are prioritized.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这幅画上的神仙就是**寿星**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè fú huà shàng de shénxiān jiùshì **Shòuxing**.
    * English: The deity in this painting is the God of Longevity (Shouxing).
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the term in its original mythological context, referring to the actual god. Note the capitalization in English.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 每年爷爷过生日，他就是我们全家最重要的**寿星**。
    * Pinyin: Měinián yéye guò shēngrì, tā jiùshì wǒmen quánjiā zuì zhòngyào de **shòuxing**.
    * English: Every year when Grandpa celebrates his birthday, he is the most important `shòuxing` in our whole family.
    * Analysis: This sentence highlights the importance and reverence associated with an elder's birthday in Chinese family culture.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 别忘了给今天的**寿星**准备一份礼物。
    * Pinyin: Bié wàngle gěi jīntiān de **shòuxing** zhǔnbèi yī fèn lǐwù.
    * English: Don't forget to prepare a gift for today's birthday person.
    * Analysis: A straightforward, practical use of the term.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 按照传统，**寿星**要吃一碗长寿面。
    * Pinyin: Ànzhào chuántǒng, **shòuxing** yào chī yī wǎn chángshòu miàn.
    * English: According to tradition, the birthday person should eat a bowl of longevity noodles.
    * Analysis: This connects the term to a specific and very common birthday tradition, eating `[[寿面]] (shòumiàn