Skip to main content
  1. Art
  2. The Collection

Five Gods of Wealth Arrive Together

Chinese

Artwork Details

Five Gods of Wealth Arrive Together
20th century
Chinese
woodblock print on paper
17 1/4 in x 15 3/8 in (43.8 cm x 39 cm);17 15/16 in x 16 in (45.5 cm x 40.6 cm);17 1/4 in x 15 3/8 in (43.8 cm x 39 cm)
Gift of Willard A. and Marybelle B. Hanna
1989/2.142

Tags

Description

Subject Matter:

These are the five wealth gods who represent the five directional deities of wealth: north, south, east, west, and center. They are known as a symbol of good luck and wealthiness throughout a new year. Each wealth god is standing by a horse; horses symbolize social status since they are instruments of war as well as a means for farmers to achieve greater agricultural success. 

Physical Description:

Five figures dressed in robes and a hat are each standing and holding up a sword. Each man is standing by a horse and some of the horses are eating grass. Two figures in the foreground are playfully fighting and their swords are crossed.

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.