Shou (Chou)

One of many popular variations of the ubiquitous Shou or chou, a Chinese ideogram of ancient origin meaning “long life.”  This auspicious symbol can be found inscribed on amulets, clothing, furniture, pottery, tools, decorative items, and, especially, wedding gifts, and is probably meant to represent the divine peach of immortality, the emblem of the God Shou-Hsing, who controlled human destiny.