Bat
Overview
This is the clearest example of a symbol whose Chinese reading inverts the Western one. Five bats together form a conventional design standing for the five blessings: long life, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a natural death.
Meaning
The bat is an auspicious emblem in Chinese tradition — the word for bat is homophonous with the word for good fortune.
Traditional Interpretation
Sources treat the bat's upside-down hanging as part of the reading — a bat depicted falling is said to mean good fortune arriving. Red bats are especially auspicious.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What does bat symbolize in Chinese tradition?
The bat is an auspicious emblem in Chinese tradition — the word for bat is homophonous with the word for good fortune. This is the clearest example of a symbol whose Chinese reading inverts the Western one. Five bats together form a conventional design standing for the five blessings: long life, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a natural death.
Where does the bat appear in Chinese art and custom?
Its use is documented across several registers at once. The bat is an auspicious emblem in Chinese tradition — the word for bat is homophonous with the word for good fortune. The five-bat design is a fixed composition rather than an arbitrary grouping, and the count is what carries the meaning rather than the individual bat.
How is bat read in Chinese tradition?
Sources treat the bat's upside-down hanging as part of the reading — a bat depicted falling is said to mean good fortune arriving. Red bats are especially auspicious. It is grouped under Water (水) in the five-element system.
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