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LE-B4001-005 Auspicious Animals

Bat --- Five-Happiness Surrounding Fortune (????)
The bat, small, nimble and smart, can catch mosquitoes, moths, and other insects, bringing benefit to people. The character "?" of ?? (bat) and "?" (Fortune or Happiness) have the same pronunciation and tone. So, the bat becomes an auspicious symbol of fortune. The pattern consisting of five bats surrounding the character "?" in the middle refer to longevity, wealth and rank, health, ethics and natural death

Phoenix --- A phoenix flies around a Peony Blossom (????)
A legendarily lucky bird, the phoenix is the king of birds. It is said that the phoenix was formed with the essence extracted out of the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth). Its head looks like the sky; the eyes, the sun; the back the moon; the wings, the winds; the claws, the earth; and the tail, the latitude. It is a divine bird. The pattern is a phoenix flies around a peony blossom that refers to riches and honors imply a continuous stream of good things and a happy life.

Dragon --- A Dragon plays with a Pearl (????)
The dragon is considered to be the largest supernatural creature, embodying strength and symbolizing supernatural force. It is the highest auspicious image of art and the leader of all living things. Legend has it that dragon is capable of being hidden or visible, thin or thick, short or long and generating cloud and rain to bring benefit to all things on earth. The dragon is also respected as the supreme god of China, and it is said that all Chinese are the offspring of dragons. The image of dragon becomes the symbol of the Chinese nation and auspicious design loved by the Chinese people. The pattern is a dragon plays with a pearl that refers to riches and wealth implies celebration of harvest year and asked for blessings from heaven.

Crane --- Living as long as the Cranes (????)
Legend says that an immortal rode a crane to heaven. Hence, the crane has been regarded as a bird of the immortals and an auspicious bird as well. People often used the bird to symbolize longevity. The crane's life span has become a phrase often used when people offered birthday congratulations. The pattern consisting of two cranes flying around the sun symbolizes a lasting soaring spirit, health and happiness.

Fish --- Getting Profits in Succession (????)
The character ?(fish) and ?(surplus) have the same pronunciation, so do the character ?(carp) and ?(profit). The pattern composed of fish means money and wealth. It seems that the six swimming carp are making a sound of ??(in succession). So they form an auspicious design entitled ???? (?), meaning "getting profits in succession". When the pattern is used as home d?cor, it implies???? (every family makes profit successively).