God of Longevity (Shoulao) with children

God of Longevity (Shoulao) with children

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The God of Longevity (Shoulao), shown here accompanied by children, is one of the three most popular deities in Chinese folklore. The other two are gods of good fortune and achievement and distinction. Abundant in nature and desirable for carving, bamboo is frequently used both as a material and a subject matter in Chinese art from this period. Its resilience is often compared to the virtue of those who maintain their principles in the face of adversity, and its hollow stalk is often associated with humility and an unprejudiced mind.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

God of Longevity (Shoulao) with childrenGod of Longevity (Shoulao) with childrenGod of Longevity (Shoulao) with childrenGod of Longevity (Shoulao) with childrenGod of Longevity (Shoulao) with children

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.