What is the significance of bats in Chinese culture or folklore?
I recently went to a chinese home decor store and found these beautiful wood carvings with bats in it. At first it kind of creeped me out because bats remind me of horror movies and the occult. But the carvings were beautifully done and I wanted to purchase them, but i was reluctant because I’m not sure what they signify in Chinese folklore. I know that cranes symbolize longevity, fish prosperity and abundance, elephants wisdom. They’re not in the carvings just randomly. I know they mean something and I won’t hang them in my home until I find out exactly what they mean and how they signify their meaning. In feng shui, I know such symbolisms in the home will bring good fortune and sometimes bad luck.
In Chinese culture, bat could bring you good luck or bad luck! For example, uses of a “bat pattern” in a casino will bring good luck to the owner and bad luck to the gamblers:
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Casino
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The entrance porch of many famous casinos are designed like an opened wings bat. In Fengshui, this is called “Money hanging on the bat and mouse”. It is believed that this design pattern will reduced the winning chances of the gamblers. Image: http://images.qianlong.com/mmsource/images/2006/12/22/sqgssd061222011.jpg
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Home
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In ancient China, the bat is a symbol of propitious and pleasant. It is believed money and prosperity will increased if a bat copper statue is placed at a wealthy position in the house. Image: http://i58.ac.tpe.yahoo.com/users/4/2/0/5/w88888868-img450x600-1136888869dsc00010-3.jpg
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Pattern
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In Chinese, the “bat” pronunciation is same as “luck” character. Therefore in the Chinese culture, the bat is symbolized happiness, good fortune and harmony. Bat is frequently appears in many Chinese tradition design, such as “Five Bat Holding the Longevity”. Images: http://www.esgweb.net/Article/UploadFiles/200511621366965.gif
http://news.xinhuanet.com/newmedia/2005-04/05/xinsrc_2420402041452970816032.jpg
