The Laughing Buddha is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived in the 9th century and has become a significant part of Buddhism.
Laughing Buddha statues are seen in temples, restaurants, and amulets, as he has become a deity of contentment and abundance. The image of the Laughing Buddha is almost always seen carrying a cloth or linen sack (that which never empties) which is filled with many precious items, including rice plants (indicating wealth), candy for children, food, or the woes of the world. The Laughing Buddha is patron of the weak, poor and children.
Laughing Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and plenitude. Some Laughing Buddha images have small children at their feet. Another item that is usually seen with the Laughing Buddha figure is a begging bowl to represent his Buddhist nature.
In some scenes the Laughing Buddha may be found sitting on a cart drawn by boys, or wielding a fan called an oogi (said to be a "wish giving" fan - in the distant past, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). All of these images display the Laughing Buddha as a wandering monk who goes around and takes the sadness from people of this world.
According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha's great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. The Laughing Buddha is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs, fortune tellers and bartenders. When one overeats or over drinks, friends jokingly attribute it to the Laughing Buddha’s influence.
We sell many original Laughing Buddha statues in our shop. A few months every year, we travel to Asia to look for nice, original and antique Laughing Buddha statues.
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