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In Japanese mythology, the Seven Lucky gods or Seven gods of Fortune (七福神, shichifukujin in Japanese) are believed to grant good luck and are often represented in netsuke and in artworks. One of the seven (Jurōjin) is said to be based on a historical figure.
- 🪕 Benzaiten (弁財天) The goddess of arts, eloquence and knowledge is one of the most popular and the only female deity in the group. Protector of Japanese Buddhism and purveyor of wealth, Benzaiten or Benten is also a very powerful warrior.
- ⚔️ Bishamonten (毘沙門天) God of war and good luck, Bishamonten originates from Hinduism and arrived in Japan via China. He is also known as Tamon-ten (多聞天) and is the most important of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Shi-Tenno guardians of the cardinal points in Buddhist temples.
- 🎣 Ebisu (恵比須) God of fishing, agriculture and trade, Ebisu is considered the only deity purely native of Japan among the 7 Shichifukujin, with Shinto origins.
- 🌾 Daikokuten (大黒天) God of wealth, agriculture, and food purveyor, Daikokuten guarantees abundance and prosperity to the people. He is often associated with Ebisu, as they have similar functions.
Nov 29, 2022 · The Seven Lucky Gods are seven Japanese deities who bring luck, good fortune, and compassion to the denizens of Japan. Each god has a different domain, yet together they represent prosperity and luck, traveling across Japan throughout the year (if they can) and then meeting at the New Year, where they gather in a great feast or ...
- What Are Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods?
- Jurojin
- Ebisu
- Hotei
- Benzaiten
- Bishamonten
- Daikokuten
- Fukurokuju
- Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage
Known as “shichifukujin”, the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan are a group of deities deriving from not only Japan but also India and China, originating from the religions of Shinto, Buddhism and Hinduism. The seven gods are: Jurojin, Ebisu, Hotei, Benzaiten, Bishamonten, Daikokuten and Fukurokuju. Ebisu is the only one that is native to Japan and Japan’s...
Jurojin is a god of the Chinese Taoist-Buddhist traditions. He is an incarnation of a pole star, and he is the god of longevity and good health. Oftentimes he is pictured with a long white beard with a peach in his hand — a unique image of this deity.
The only god that is native to Japan and the country’s indigenous Shinto tradition, Ebisu is the god of prosperity, commerce and fishing. Bringing luck on a big catch often turns into a prayer for business prosperity. According to legend, it is said that he is the child of Izanagi and Izanami in Japanese mythology, deities of creation and death. Eb...
Hotei is said to be modelled after a Chinese monk, and he is the god of happiness and good fortune. He comes from the Chinese Taoist-Buddhist traditions, often depicted with a round belly, a big smile and a large sack. This sack is said to be the sack of patience and represents how much he can bear.
Benzaiten is the only goddess of the seven gods. She is the goddess of beauty and arts, and comes from the Hindu-Buddhist pantheon of India. She is often depicted as a heavenly nymph — it is said that she was originally modelled after the Hindu goddess from Indian mythology — while holding a biwa, which is a traditional musical instrument. Oftentim...
Bishamonten has the appearance of a warrior, as he is the god of war who defends humans against evil spirits. He derives from the Hindu religion. This god is also known as Tamon-ten and is one of the most important of the Four Heavenly Kings. Bishamonten is gifted with an extremely developed sense of hearing, and is often pictured with armor on, ho...
Originally a Hindu god, Daikokuten is the god of agriculture, prosperity and commerce. He derives from the Hindu-Buddhist pantheon of India and is an incarnation of Shiva, the deity of creation and destruction. In Japan, he is pictured with a kind face holding a mallet in hand to bring fortune and a large sack filled with happiness. On top of that,...
Last but not least, Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom, good fortune and longevity. His name means having happiness, high status and longevity. Similar to Jurojin, this god is also an incarnation of the pole star and a deity of Chinese Buddhism. He appears with a long face and a long white beard, similar to Jurojin as well. The difference is that Fuku...
The Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage is known as Shichifukujin-Meguri in Japanese. The pilgrimage can take up anything from a couple of hours to half a day, depending on how far the places of worship are from each other. This is a short tour that can be done by visiting temples and shrines — with each of the stops either worshiping one or two of the god...
Apr 28, 2024 · The Shichifukujin, or Seven Lucky Gods, are a beloved group of deities in Japanese mythology and culture. Originating from diverse religious backgrounds including Shinto, Buddhism, and Hinduism, these seven gods are believed to bring good fortune and blessings to their worshippers.
Jun 24, 2013 · In Japanese folklore the Shichifukujin are the Seven Lucky Gods who may also be known as the Seven Gods of Happiness or the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. The seven gods are in fact of diverse origin as...
The Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, Shichifukujin, are an eclectic group of deities from Japan, India, and China. Only one is native to Japan (Ebisu) and Japan’s indigenous Shinto tradition.
