San-hsing

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San-hsing (Chin., ‘three stars’). Three Chinese figures (variously identified in each case) who became gods because of their virtues: (i) Fuhsing, Lucky Star, portrayed usually with a child, or as a bat; (ii) Lü-hsing, Highly Honoured Star, often portrayed as a stag; (iii) Shou-hsing, Star of Long Life, usually holding the staff or support of life in one hand, and the peach of immortality in the other. All are important in folk religion.