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 The Seven Lucky Gods of
Japan 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 physical and commercial well-being of people and have
come to be honored throughout the country.
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 EBISU is a native
Japanese God and is said to be a real person and the
son of Daikoku. Ebisu is the God of candour, wealth,
good fortune and fair business practices. He is plump,
has a smiling face, pointed beard and looks like
Daikoku. 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, rice farmers, food,
management, sailors, merchants, business executives
and foreigners. He grants success to people in their
chosen occupations. Ebisu represents the good fortune
and bounty of the sea.
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 DAIKOKUTEN 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.
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 BENZAITEN (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 in Japan. 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.
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 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.
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 FUKUROKUJU 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. Fuku
means happiness, Roku
means riches and Ju
means longevity. He is the Chinese God of wisdom,
happiness, wealth and long life; Fukurokuju 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 often associated with Jurojin
since the two are said to inhabit the same body. He is
the God of Chess players, watchmakers and athletes.
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 JUROJIN is a Taoist
(Chinese) God, the God
of wisdom and it is the scroll attached to the shaku,
the holy staff that he carries which 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. Jurojin is often confused with
Fukurokujo because they are both said to inhabit the
same body and are both shown 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.
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 BISHAMONTEN 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. Bishamon-ten,
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.
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