====== fú lù shòu: 福禄寿 - Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** Fu Lu Shou, fú lù shòu, Chinese gods of fortune, fortune prosperity longevity, Three Stars, Sanxing, Chinese blessings, good fortune in Chinese, Chinese New Year symbols, Chinese mythology, what does fu lu shou mean.
  * **Summary:** 福禄寿 (Fú Lù Shòu) is a central concept in Chinese culture representing the trinity of life's greatest aspirations: Fortune (Fu), Prosperity (Lu), and Longevity (Shou). Often personified as three wise, elderly male deities known as the Three Stars (三星, Sānxīng), this term embodies the traditional ideal of a complete and successful life. You will encounter 福禄寿 as a popular blessing, a common motif in art, and as statues displayed in homes and businesses, especially during Chinese New Year, to attract a life filled with happiness, success, and good health.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** fú lù shòu
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun (as a collective concept); Proper Noun (referring to the three deities)
  * **HSK Level:** N/A
  * **Concise Definition:** A traditional Chinese cultural concept representing the three ultimate goals in life: blessings, social status, and long life.
  * **In a Nutshell:** 福禄寿 is the classic Chinese formula for a perfect life. It's more than just a word; it's a deep-seated cultural goal that encompasses everything one could wish for. Think of it as the traditional equivalent of "health, wealth, and happiness," but with more specific, culturally-rich meanings. It's not just about luck, but about the blessings of a good family; not just about money, but about the respect and prosperity that comes from a good career; and not just about health, but about the profound gift of a long, full life to enjoy with your loved ones.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **福 (fú):** This character means "blessings," "good fortune," and "happiness." It's often associated with a peaceful life and a healthy, happy family with many children and grandchildren. This is the character you frequently see posted upside-down on doors during Chinese New Year, because "upside-down" (倒, dào) sounds like the word for "to arrive" (到, dào), creating a pun that means "fortune has arrived."
  * **禄 (lù):** This character translates to "prosperity," "official salary," and "status." In ancient China, the most stable and prestigious path to wealth and honor was to become a government official. Therefore, 禄 represents success, social standing, and the financial security that comes from a distinguished career.
  * **寿 (shòu):** This character simply means "longevity." A long and healthy life is one of the most revered values in Chinese culture. The character itself is a powerful symbol, often appearing in calligraphy, on birthday cakes (especially for the elderly), and on gifts to wish someone a long life.
Together, 福-禄-寿 represent a balanced, holistic vision of a life well-lived, covering family happiness, career success, and personal well-being.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
The concept of 福禄寿 is most famously personified as the **三星 (Sānxīng)**, or the "Three Stars," three popular deities in Chinese folk religion. You will see them depicted everywhere:
  * **Fu Xing (福星):** The Star of Fortune, typically a scholar-like figure holding a baby or a scroll, symbolizing the blessing of a good family and descendants.
  * **Lu Xing (禄星):** The Star of Prosperity, dressed as a distinguished mandarin official, often holding a //ruyi// (如意), a ceremonial scepter symbolizing power and authority.
  * **Shou Xing (寿星):** The Star of Longevity, an elderly, kind-looking man with a very high, domed forehead. He carries a dragon-headed staff and a peach of immortality.
**Comparison to a Western Concept:**
A useful comparison is the "American Dream." While the American Dream traditionally focuses on upward mobility, material wealth, and individual success achieved through hard work, **福禄寿** is more holistic and family-centric. The "Dream" might be a big house and a nice car achieved by oneself; a life of 福禄寿 includes this (禄), but places equal importance on the joy of a multi-generational family (福) and living long enough to see your grandchildren grow up (寿). It's less about individualistic achievement and more about achieving a harmonious and complete life cycle within the family and community.
This ties into core Chinese values like filial piety (孝, xiào), the importance of family continuity, and social harmony. A life of 福禄寿 is a blessing not just for the individual, but for the entire family.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
While rooted in ancient beliefs, 福禄寿 remains highly relevant today.
  * **As a Formal Blessing:** The phrase is often used in formal blessings, especially for important occasions. You will hear "祝你福禄寿全" (Zhù nǐ fú lù shòu quán - "Wishing you completeness in fortune, prosperity, and longevity") at weddings, milestone birthdays (especially for those 60+), and during Chinese New Year visits.
  * **In Decorative Arts:** Statues of the three gods are one of the most common //feng shui// (风水) items. They are placed in homes and businesses to attract positive energy. Their images are also found on paintings, posters, and red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo).
  * **Symbolic Language:** Even when not said directly, the individual concepts are everywhere. People wish each other career success (禄), give gifts symbolizing long life (寿), and express hopes for a happy family (福).
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 春节的时候，家家户户都希望**福禄寿**三星高照。
    * Pinyin: Chūnjié de shíhòu, jiājiāhùhù dōu xīwàng **fú lù shòu** sānxīng gāo zhào.
    * English: During the Spring Festival, every household hopes that the three stars of **Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity** will shine brightly upon them.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the term in its deified form (三星, sānxīng) and is a common, poetic way of expressing a New Year's wish for all-around good fortune.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 在爷爷的八十大寿上，我们祝他**福禄寿**全。
    * Pinyin: Zài yéye de bāshí dàshòu shàng, wǒmen zhù tā **fú lù shòu** quán.
    * English: At Grandpa's 80th birthday celebration, we wished him complete **fortune, prosperity, and longevity**.
    * Analysis: This is a perfect example of using 福禄寿 as a formal blessing for an elder's birthday. The word 全 (quán) means "complete" or "all-inclusive."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这幅画上的三个老神仙就是**福禄寿**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè fú huà shàng de sān ge lǎo shénxiān jiùshì **Fú Lù Shòu**.
    * English: The three old immortals in this painting are **Fu, Lu, and Shou**.
    * Analysis: A simple, descriptive sentence you might use when explaining Chinese art or culture to someone. Here, it's used as a proper noun.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 传统的中国人认为，人一生追求的无非就是**福禄寿**。
    * Pinyin: Chuántǒng de Zhōngguó rén rènwéi, rén yīshēng zhuīqiú de wúfēi jiùshì **fú lù shòu**.
    * English: Traditional Chinese people believe that what one pursues in life is nothing more than **fortune, prosperity, and longevity**.
    * Analysis: This sentence explains the cultural significance of the term as the ultimate life goal. 无非就是 (wúfēi jiùshì) is a common structure meaning "is nothing but" or "is simply."
  * **Example 5:**
    * 他事业有成，儿孙满堂，又身体健康，真是个**福禄寿**齐全的人。
    * Pinyin: Tā shìyè yǒuchéng, érsūn mǎntáng, yòu shēntǐ jiànkāng, zhēnshì ge **fú lù shòu** qíquán de rén.
    * English: His career is successful, he has children and grandchildren all around, and he's in good health—he is truly a person with complete **fortune, prosperity, and longevity**.
    * Analysis: This shows how the concept is used to describe someone who has achieved the ideal life. It breaks down the components: career success (禄), many descendants (福), and good health (寿).
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我送给奶奶的这个礼物，象征着**福禄寿**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ sòng gěi nǎinai de zhège lǐwù, xiàngzhēng zhe **fú lù shòu**.
    * English: This gift I am giving my grandma symbolizes **fortune, prosperity, and longevity**.
    * Analysis: This is useful when explaining the meaning behind a traditional gift, such as a peach-shaped bun (寿桃, shòutáo) or a piece of jade carving.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 这家餐厅的名字叫“**福禄寿**”，希望能给食客带来好运。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de míngzì jiào “**Fú Lù Shòu**”, xīwàng néng gěi shíkè dài lái hǎo yùn.
    * English: This restaurant's name is "**Fu Lu Shou**"; they hope it can bring good luck to their patrons.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates how the term is used in branding and business names to evoke positive, traditional, and auspicious feelings.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 他不求大富大贵，只求一个**福禄寿**安康的晚年。
    * Pinyin: Tā bù qiú dà fù dà guì, zhǐ qiú yīgè **fú lù shòu** ānkāng de wǎnnián.
    * English: He doesn't seek great wealth or status, he only asks for a peaceful and healthy old age blessed with **fortune, prosperity, and longevity**.
    * Analysis: This shows a more introspective use of the term, focusing on the desire for a peaceful and complete life rather than extreme wealth. 安康 (ānkāng) means "safe and healthy."
  * **Example 9:**
    * 你看，**福**星抱孩子，**禄**星穿官服，**寿**星额头高，很好认。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, **Fú** xīng bào háizi, **Lù** xīng chuān guānfú, **Shòu** xīng étóu gāo, hěn hǎo rèn.
    * English: Look, the **Fu** star holds a child, the **Lu** star wears official's robes, and the **Shou** star has a high forehead; they are very easy to recognize.
    * Analysis: This breaks down the iconography of the three deities, providing a practical way to identify them in art.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 对于很多父母来说，孩子能过上**福禄寿**美满的生活就是他们最大的心愿。
    * Pinyin: Duìyú hěnduō fùmǔ lái shuō, háizi néng guò shàng **fú lù shòu** měimǎn de shēnghuó jiùshì tāmen zuìdà de xīnyuàn.
    * English: For many parents, their greatest wish is for their children to be able to live a perfect life of **fortune, prosperity, and longevity**.
    * Analysis: This highlights the term's connection to family values and the hopes parents have for their children. 美满 (měimǎn) means "happy and complete."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Not a Casual "Good Luck":** Avoid using "祝你福禄寿" for minor events like an exam or a job interview. It would be like wishing someone "a long and venerable life" when they're about to give a presentation. It's a weighty, significant blessing reserved for major life milestones like weddings, big birthdays, or the New Year. For casual good luck, use [[加油]] (jiāyóu) or [[祝你好运]] (zhù nǐ hǎoyùn).
  * **A Concept, Not Just a Word:** Remember that 福禄寿 is more of a cultural philosophy than a simple vocabulary word. Its meaning is much deeper than a direct translation of its parts. Don't just think "luck, money, life"; think "family blessings, respectable success, a full lifespan."
  * **"False Friend" vs. "Health, Wealth, and Happiness":** While this is a good starting point for understanding, there are key differences.
    * **禄 (lù) vs. Wealth:** 禄 specifically implies wealth and prosperity gained through a respectable position and social status, not just from any source like winning the lottery.
    * **福 (fú) vs. Happiness:** 福 is more about blessings and good fortune, especially in the context of a large and harmonious family. It's an external state of good fortune as much as an internal feeling of happiness.
    * **寿 (shòu) vs. Health:** Health is a necessary component for 寿, but 寿 is grander. It means a long, complete life span, not just the absence of sickness.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[三星]] (Sānxīng) - The "Three Stars." The direct, personified deities of Fu, Lu, and Shou.
  * [[吉祥]] (jíxiáng) - Auspicious; lucky. A broader term for anything that is considered to bring good fortune. 福禄寿 is a form of吉祥.
  * [[喜]] (xǐ) - Joy; happiness. Often seen as the double character [[囍]] (shuāngxǐ) for weddings, it represents a key component of a 福-filled life.
  * [[财]] (cái) - Wealth; money. The root of the God of Wealth, [[财神]] (Cáishén). It is more direct than 禄, which includes the nuance of social status.
  * [[长命百岁]] (cháng mìng bǎi suì) - "Live to be 100 years old." A common birthday wish that directly relates to the concept of 寿.
  * [[恭喜发财]] (gōngxǐ fācái) - "Congratulations and may you be prosperous." A ubiquitous Chinese New Year greeting that focuses on the 禄/财 aspect of a good life.
  * [[万事如意]] (wàn shì rú yì) - "May all things go as you wish." A general and powerful blessing that covers the aspirations of 福禄寿.
  * [[五福临门]] (wǔ fú lín mén) - "The five blessings arrive at your door." An expanded concept of 福, which traditionally includes longevity (寿), wealth (富), health (康宁), love of virtue (攸好德), and a peaceful death (考终命).