Happy Buddha Ho Tai Statue with Bead Necklace, Antique Red Finish, 6.5 in

A Welcoming Presence: the Happy Buddha Statue

This Ho Tai sits in a welcoming pose with a bead necklace in one hand. One foot reaches outward, as if he has just made room for a guest. The Happy Buddha statue is crushed stone and resin with a deep antique red finish. At 6 to 7 lbs, it stays steady on a desk or table.

Product Details

• Material: Crushed stone and resin
• Finish: Antique red
• Dimensions: 6.5 in H x 6 in W x 6 in D
• Weight: Approximately 6 to 7 lbs
• Product number: O-074GR

The Monk Behind the Statue

Ho Tai is also written Budai or Hotei. Tradition places him in China as a wandering monk. He belonged to the Later Liang Dynasty, which ruled from 907 to 923 AD. The name Budai means cloth sack. A note dated 917 AD calls him an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha. That belief gave this desk Buddha figure a long life in temples and homes.

Beads, Belly, and Pose

The Ho Tai bead necklace in his hand recalls Buddhist prayer beads. Beads help worshippers count recitations and focus the mind. The outstretched foot and open posture make the figure feel relaxed. In this Happy Buddha statue he seems ready to share the space.

The Antique Red Finish

The antique red finish gives the surface a deep, temple-like warmth. Red is a favored color in Chinese tradition, linked with good fortune and celebration. This Happy Buddha statue pairs well with brass, dark wood, and soft light. The antique red finish also suits a quiet corner.

A Smile That Spread

Chan Buddhist monks carried his story to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, where he is Hotei. Early images were less cheerful. A rubbing of a stone carving dated 1088 at Princeton shows a sad grimace. Today the laughing version is the one we know best.

Placing the Figure

A desk Buddha figure works best where you pause during the day. Put this one beside a monitor, a lamp, or a pile of books. The Ho Tai bead necklace adds a small detail that rewards a closer look. At 6.5 in tall, the Happy Buddha statue is large enough to notice. It is small enough not to crowd a desk.

This Happy Buddha statue is 6.5 in tall and weighs 6 to 7 lbs. Its weight keeps the desk Buddha figure steady beside a laptop or a stack of books. Dust it with a soft cloth. See more of our Asian Art Collection, including the Happy Buddha Hotei figurine.

The Happy Buddha statue is a classic of East Asian folk art. Set the Ho Tai bead necklace and its smiling owner near the door. Every visitor then meets a friendly face.

For More Reading

• Follow the monk from the Later Liang Dynasty to the Seven Lucky Gods. Budai - Wikipedia
• See the early sad faced Budai on a 1088 rubbing. Rubbing of a stone carving of Budai - Princeton University Art Museum