Why the three legged toad is auspicious

[muffin_99]

Dear cecil,
You mentioned in the photo tour of interest that toad is one of the 5 animals which chinese people consider inauspicious then why the three legged toad is considered lucky and why most chinese people display it in their homes and offices. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
The Chinese do not differentiate between the frog and the toad.
Toads and frogs are commonly found in agricultural locations in China e.g. in padi fields.
Chinese use the frog as medicine and for dieting. The rational is because of the shiny surface of the frog which the Chinese call it the dew of heaven. The frog is also called the heavenly chicken.
(Toads are left out of this picture because they are poisonous.
I am glad that you asked for the `story' of the Three-legged toad. It will help many users understand why the Three-legged toad became a `commercial object'.
There are two versions to the story:-
1. A Chinese Immortal Lui Hai was said to live in the era of the Sung dynasty in the province of Shensi.
According to legend, he was the generAl who
successfully fought off the Lord Liu (Master of the Sea Toad).
To this a statute of Immortal Lui Hai with his three-legged Toad is considered the symbol for money-making.
2. A second version:
Legend has it that there was once a Toad which lived in a deep well and emited poisonous vapours.
Immortal Lui Hai lured the creature witha string of gold cash and killed it.
3. More: Often one sees the Chinese God of Wealth being carried in a procession (festive occassions) together with an image of the three-legged Toad.
The association with the God of Wealth (Tau Pei Kong) linked the three-legged Toad with wealth.
Hope the above will help everyone to better understand the `origins' of why so much commercialization went into this Chinese belief.
The three toad has now become a commercial object and things link a coin and `jewel' added to its mouth etc...
Therefore, one can now clearly understand that there is no direct link of the three-legged toad with Feng Shui.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil
[Below, Cross-posted from Edu-Polls conference]



1. There is no right or wrong answers for this poll.
2. It would be interesting to find out how many of us think of this issue.

Chinese Culture: The Three legged toad

I am a three-legged toad. Do you believe that I can bring you wealth? Yes, I think so. No, I don't believe it can. Current Results

Quote

On 1/2/00 1:56:16 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
You mentioned in the photo
tour of interest that toad is
one of the 5 animals which
chinese people consider
inauspicious then why the
three legged toad is
considered lucky and why most
chinese people display it in
their homes and offices.
Thanks.