I think this might be Shishin but I am not sure.
Anyone?
SHOPPING ONLINE? Please, come here first!
There are a LOT of discounts right now. Remember me when shopping. Just click the link below. Once you're in, you're good to shop.
Try AmazonFresh Free Trial
Shop Amazon Gold Box - New Deals. Everyday
Shop Amazon Gift Cards - Instant Delivery or Free One-Day Shipping
Try Prime Discounted Monthly Offering
And you do need a Kindle! - HERE
Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans
About this blog…
“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z
Coat of Arms by D Burkart
Beautiful, heirloom quality Rosaries
Fr. Z’s Blog is a Founding Member of…
This blog has to earn its keep!
PLEASE subscribe if it is useful.
That way I have steady income I can plan on, and you wind up regularly on my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I periodically say Holy Mass.
For a one time donation...
I set up a
CONTINUE TO GIVE
account, which functions rather like PayPal. Some of you use it. Here is a QCode you can use with your smart phones. Try it!
Also, to receive a link to donate via Continue To Give using your smart phone SEND MESSAGE:
4827563 TO: 715-803-4772 (USA)
Some donations also come through CHASE. That works well. I don't think they take any percentage as fees.2020 TLM Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
CLICK and say your daily offerings!
A Daily Prayer for Priests
Yes, Fr. Z is taking ads…
Because it matters what children read…
Be a “Zed-Head”!
I carry one of these super-strong rosaries in my spare mag pouch! The Swiss Guards have them too!
CHALLENGE COINS!
My "challenge coin" for my 25th anniversary of ordination in 2016.
Want one? I do exchanges with military and LEOs, etc. and you can make a donation.
PLEASE RESPOND. Pretty pleeeease?
Loading ...WDTPRS POLL
Loading ...“Rigid”? Pfffft. “Faithful!” No priest’s desk or kitchen is complete without one, for young, old, and priests in general.
Fr. Z’s stuff is everywhere
Help support Fr. Z’s Gospel of Life work at no cost to you. Do you need a Real Estate Agent? Calling these people is the FIRST thing you should do!
They find you a pro-life agent in your area who commits to giving a portion of the fee to a pro-life group!
GREAT causes to support
Help Monks in Wyoming (coffee – UPDATED LINK) and Norcia (beer) and the wonderful "Soap Sisters" of Summit, NJ!
Please follow me on Twitter!
If you travel internationally, this is a super useful gizmo for your mobile internet data. I use one. If you get one through my link, I get data rewards.
A japanese or chinese demon?? :-)
To me it looks like an oversized dragon teapot. ;)
Folks: I’m serious. I really want to know about this object.
Father Zuhlsdorf,
Are there any markings on the bottom, English or otherwise?
Respectfully,
Jacob M.
Fr. Z the item in question is called a Dragon Turtle and it is used in Feng Shui. The Dragon symbolizes luck, the turtle long life and the baby turtle is a symbol of new beginnings. The Dragon Headed Turtle (Tortoise, Terrapin,) is the symbol of longevity in your home, especially for the head of the house. The dragon headed turtle is also a powerful symbol of wealth, health, prosperity and protection. The Dragon Headed Turtle brings with it the ancient secrets that can protect a home from negative energies. Here is the link to wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_turtle
Definately some kind of representation of the “Celestial Tortoise” used by Nu Gua to form the universe, the turtle on the back is probably the Guixian of the Sishu (Shishin).
IT’S A CHINESE DRAGON TURTLE!
“A dragon turtle is a legendary Chinese turtle with a dragonlike head. It combines two of the four celestial animals of Chinese mythology. It is promoted as a positive ornament in Feng Shui. The dragon sits on top of large coins with a small turtle on its back representing fertility. It is believed that the dragon brings the occupants of a home wealth and security. The dragon is traditionally placed facing the window.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_turtle
Dan,you must have beat me to the submit comment button. Oh well, it was fun looking it up.
Looks like the beginning of Dr. Seuss’s Yertle the Turtle. Although the turlte named Mac isn’t quite the same as Dr. Seuss drew him….”On the faraway island of Salamazond, Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond. A nice little pond, it was clean, it was neat, …”
Father: In Japan that looks a bit like one of the 4 Gods of the Directions (?? “shishin”). Obviously, the Chinese, in this case, is the same as the Japanese. I believe that could be, in Japanese,
???, “Genbu”, the Black Warrior of the North. I believe the Chinese and the Koreans also have names for the mythological characters of the 4 directions but I don’t know what they are called in China or Korea or if he looks the same.
But, I don’t think that is Genbu of Japan, I’ve never seen him with a tortoise sitting on his back like that in Japan. I’m wondering if there isn’t a Hindi connection to it? I’ve seen similar Indian figures with a tortoise on the back. But, the dragon is definitely very Buddhist looking.
Sorry, this probably confused the issue. Well, at least maybe you know more of what he’s not.
Dan is right. It´s a Feng Shui Dragon Turtle. They reinforce wealth, success and prosperity and the fulfillment of your wishes and dreams.
Dear Father,
The picture seems to show a Bixi (in Chinese ??). In Chinese legend, this is supposed to be the fourth son of the Dragon. ?The dragon is said to have nine sons.?It was known for its great strength. For this reason, it is often carved as the base of huge stone tablets with engraved text, like those near palaces and temples. Bixi did not originally have a dragon head. It gradually developed into this form by about the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is often depicted with only one horn in the middle of the head, like a unicorn.
I suppose, Father, that the little fella didn’t come with any operating instructions. Well, here ya go:
Legend has it that the turtle has within his body the secret of heaven and earth and the design of his shell shows the magic square, which is the guide for life.
This beautiful dragon headed turtle can be used to improve relationships by placing a piece of red ribbon in his mouth, to attract wealth use golden ribbon.
If you are having Health problems place a piece of blue ribbon in his mouth.
To increase his strength place him in the North of your lounge or office or place him behind you when you are sitting at your desk to give you support.
To increase your success or improve your options place one inside your front door on a table, in the evening turn him round to face the interior.
Never place him in the kitchen or bathroom.
Hey Fr, what are you going to do with it?
Suggestion, since you have a lot of ice and snow, I would smash it up and put it on the walk ways so you don’t slip.