Skillful cutting of hundreds of fortunes

Author: Qin Shijiao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The culture of "Fú" (fortune) in China has a long history. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, around 841 BC, divination and sacrificial rituals for praying for blessings and good fortune were already very popular. Over time, through continuous historical accumulation, it has become a widespread and common cultural phenomenon. The cultural connotation of "Fú" is very rich, including aspects such as "Fú mén" (blessed gate), "Fú dì" (blessed land), "Fú tán" (blessed field), "Fú lǐ" (blessed rites), "qǐ Fú" (praying for blessings), "zhù Fú" (bestowing blessings), "cì Fú" (granting blessings), and "xiū Fú" (cultivating blessings), nearly encompassing all aspects of daily etiquette and labor life.
What is "Fú"? In the past, it was summarized as the "Five Blessings": longevity, wealth, health and peace, virtue, and a natural death. In modern terms, this means longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful end. Later, "" (filial piety) was also included, forming the "Six Blessings."
The folk culture has developed many rituals and customs related to "Fú," creating deities like the "Fú Shén" (God of Fortune) and the "Fú Xīng" (Star of Fortune). It has also produced numerous auspicious idioms and patterns associated with "Fú," such as "Fú rú dōng hǎi" (blessed as the East Sea), "Fú xīng gāo zhào" (the Star of Fortune shines brightly), "wǔ Fú pěng shòu" (five blessings holding longevity), and "Fú shòu mián cháng" (blessed fortune lasts long).
The character "Fú" and its graphical representations decorated with various patterns are often seen on the screen walls of courtyards, above house gates, window lattices, furniture, stone carvings, wood carvings, folk paintings, and embroidery. Today, the meaning of "Fú" has become increasingly popular. The term "xìngfú" (happiness) not only includes the past connotations of "Fú" but also expands and extends to broader and more practical meanings.
With the harmonious development of society, the rituals of blessing have been combined with various evening events, exchanges, and performance activities. The character "Fú" has become a symbol, often prominently displayed to create a lively and harmonious atmosphere. During the annual New Year's Day and Spring Festival, the character "Fú" is sent to friends and family through greeting cards, conveying friendship.
Therefore, it can be said that the character "Fú" is the most widely used auspicious and fortunate character.