Fu Lu Shou (福禄寿) are three star gods of Chinese folk religion. Together they stand for happiness (Fu), prosperity and official rank (Lu), and long life (Shou). They are often called the San Xing, or three stars, and are shown as a trio or as separate figures. This guide explains what each god represents, how to tell them apart, and where families usually place them.
What Fu Lu Shou represent
Fu Lu Shou are often read together as a wish for blessings, prosperity, and a long life. Each god covers one part of that wish. Fu stands for happiness and good fortune, Lu for prosperity and status, and Shou for longevity. Because the three together cover many parts of life, many households display all three rather than only one.
Telling the three gods apart
Images vary by artist and region, so treat these markers as guides rather than rules.
- Shou is the easiest to spot. He is bald with a high forehead, and he often carries a gourd or a staff. Cranes and pine trees are common symbols of longevity alongside him.
- Lu usually wears an official’s hat and often holds a ru yi, a scepter-like symbol of good fortune.
- Fu is often shown with a child, which points to blessings for descendants.
Where to place the trio
- A clean, dry spot at a respectful height, not on the floor.
- A stable base with backing. A solid wall behind the figures is commonly preferred.
- A shared room. Many families place the trio in a living room, a dining area, or a family altar, so the whole household can see them.
- Optional sector links. Some practitioners link Fu with relationships, Lu with the wealth area, and Shou with health. Other schools do not use this, so treat it as optional.
- An office, if you prefer. Some guides suggest a trio on a shelf behind the desk chair, against a wall.
Many families like to keep the three together. Keeping them as a set matches how the trio is usually understood.
Setting up the trio
- Keep each figure stable and upright, not stacked or leaning.
- Set them on a clean cloth, so the base does not scratch the surface.
- Keep them away from a bathroom door and from the stove. Many guides treat both as poor sightlines for any devotional figure.
Daily care
- Dust the figures gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- If you keep an altar, offer fresh flowers, fruit, or tea, and replace them before they spoil.
- If a figure breaks, handle it respectfully. The Kwan Yin placement guide explains the common approach of asking a temple.
Common mistakes
- Splitting the trio across rooms. Keeping the three together is the usual practice.
- Hiding them behind clutter. A figure that cannot be seen is hard to honour.
- Treating them as a guarantee of luck. They are a symbol of good wishes, not a promise of outcomes.
If you want a single figure for wealth, see Tsai Shen Yeh.
The short version
- Fu Lu Shou together express happiness, prosperity, and long life.
- Shou is bald and carries a gourd, Lu wears an official’s hat, and Fu carries a child.
- Keep them at a respectful height, on a stable base, in a space you use every day.