Friday, June 1, 2018

Chinese Silver Laughing Buddha Hat Amulets

Pictures below are the antique silver hat amulets. These amulets were sewn to hats, worn to bestow good luck for the owner. Representing the Laughing Buddha / Budai, Hotei or Pu-Tai (Chinese 布袋).

Laughing Buddha is a semi-historical monk, who was introduced into the Zen Buddhist pantheon. He allegedly lived around the 10th century during the Liang Dynasty. His name literally means "Cloth Sack", and refers to the bag that he is conventionally depicted as carrying as he wanders aimlessly. His jolly nature, humorous personality and eccentric lifestyle distinguishes him from most Buddhist masters or figures. He is almost always shown smiling or laughing, hence his nickname in Chinese, the Laughing Buddha (Chinese: 笑佛).

The amulets are hollow and cone-shaped, with holes drilled into the sides and base so that they could be stitched onto garments.


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