{"product_id":"small-laughing-buddha-statue","title":"Happy Buddha Ho Tai Seated on Rock, Small Prosperity Statue, Antique Gold and Red, 3.5 in","description":"\u003ch2\u003eLaughing Out Loud: a Laughing Buddha Statue\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHotai sits on a rock with a big open grin. This Laughing Buddha statue stands for prosperity at home and the lifting of sadness. Hand painted details in antique gold and red give the small prosperity statue a lively look. At 3.5 in tall and 0.3 lbs, it is easy to place almost anywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Crushed stone and resin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish: Hand painted antique gold and red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 3.5 in H x 3.5 in L\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 0.3 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct number: O-116GR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Monk Who Laughed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften called the Happy Buddha, he is Ho Tai, also written Budai, Hotai, or Hotei. Tradition describes him as a monk in China. He belonged to the Later Liang Dynasty, which lasted from 907 to 923 AD. The Ho Tai monk carried a cloth sack and was loved by children. A note dated 917 AD calls him an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Seat on the Rock\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere Ho Tai monk sits on a rock rather than a sack. The rock suggests the wandering life of a monk who owned little. His open grin is the heart of the figure. This Laughing Buddha statue invites the same easy mood. The big belly of the Ho Tai monk stands for contentment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHand Painted Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand painted details mean each piece is finished by eye, so tones can vary slightly. The antique gold and red suit a small prosperity statue. Gold is the color of good fortune, and red is the color of celebration. This finish keeps the figure bright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrom a Sad Face to a Laugh\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Princeton University Art Museum holds a rubbing of a stone carving dated 1088. It shows an early Budai with a sad grimace. The laughing version came later. The Horniman Museum in London holds a soapstone Budai described as a smiling, big bellied temple deity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacing the Figure\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small prosperity statue works well near an entry, a desk, or a shop counter. The Laughing Buddha figurine is light, so it moves easily when you rearrange a room. Pair it with a plant or a candle for a calm corner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Laughing Buddha statue is 3.5 in tall and weighs 0.3 lbs. It fits a shelf, a desk, or a windowsill. Dust it with a soft dry brush. See more of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/collections\/asian-art\"\u003eAsian Art Collection\u003c\/a\u003e, including the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/products\/happy-buddha-hotei-figurine\"\u003eHappy Buddha Hotei figurine\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChan Buddhist monks carried the story of the Ho Tai monk to Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. Place this small prosperity statue near a door or desk, where the hand painted details catch the light. The Laughing Buddha statue brings cheer wherever it stands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFor More Reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead how the monk became a symbol of joy across East Asia. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Budai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBudai - Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the early sad faced Budai on a 1088 rubbing. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/artmuseum.princeton.edu\/collections\/objects\/57546\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eRubbing of a stone carving of Budai - Princeton University Art Museum\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare a smiling soapstone Budai in London. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.horniman.ac.uk\/object\/1990.79\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBudai Heshang - Horniman Museum and Gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Ancient Treasures","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":1192688031,"sku":"O-116GR","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/0537\/files\/O-116GR-happy-buddha-3-1080sqr.jpg?v=1792190753","url":"https:\/\/www.museumize.com\/products\/small-laughing-buddha-statue","provider":"Museumize.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}