The pa pao
, or Eight Precious Symbols, supported by fungus sprays.
These are usually represented by (1) a sphere or jewel, which seems to have originally been the sun disc; (2) a circle enclosing a square, which suggests the copper coin called a “cash”; (3) an open lozenge, symbol of victory or success; (4) a musical stone (ch’ing); (5) a pair of books; (6) a pair of rhinoceros horns (cups); (7) a lozenge-shaped picture (hua); (8) a leaf of the artemisia, a plant of good omen, which dispels sickness. (See p. [299].)
The pa chi hsiang
, or Eight Buddhist Symbols, supported on lotus scrolls.
These symbols, which appeared among the auspicious signs on the foot of Buddha, comprise (1) the wheel (chakra), which is sometimes replaced by the hanging bell; (2) the shell trumpet of Victory; (3) the umbrella of state; (4) the canopy; (5) the lotus flower; (6) the vase; (7) the pair of fish, emblems of fertility; (8) the angular knot (representing the entrails), symbol of longevity. (See p. [298].)
The hundred forms of the character shou (longevity)—pai shou tz’ŭ.