Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

Plants

Gourd

The gourd, or calabash, in Daoism: the vessel of the immortals that holds the elixir of life, why it means health and protection, and where you see it in Chinese art and homes.

Also called Calabash · Hulu

In brief

  1. I.The double gourd, hulu in Chinese, is carried by Daoist immortals and holds the elixir of long life.
  2. II.Its two round parts are read as heaven and earth joined.
  3. III.It is a sign of health, long life and protection from harm.
  4. IV.Its name sounds like the Chinese for “protection” and “good fortune”.

Chapter I

What it means

The bottle gourd, with its two swelling parts and narrow waist, is an image of the universe in small: the upper part heaven, the lower earth. Hollow and sealed, it is a container of hidden power. In Daoist stories immortals carry gourds holding the elixir of immortality, or whole worlds inside them.

Because of this, the gourd means long life and healing. Its Chinese name, hulu, sounds like words for “protection” and “blessing”, so it is also a charm against harm.

Chapter II

Where it comes from

Gourds were among the first vessels used in China, and they appear in early myths of the world being born from a gourd. In Daoist art from the Song dynasty onwards the immortal Li Tieguai is shown with his gourd, and gourd-shaped vases and bottles became a favourite of Chinese ceramics.

Chapter III

Where you see it today

Carved and painted gourds are sold at temples and markets as charms for health. The gourd shape appears on Daoist temple roofs, in jewellery and in traditional medicine shop signs.

Questions people ask

Which immortal carries a gourd?

Li Tieguai, “Iron-crutch Li”, one of the Eight Immortals, always has a gourd full of medicine, with which he heals the sick.

Why hang a gourd in the home?

In folk belief a gourd absorbs bad energy and illness. People hang real or carved gourds near beds or doors for health.

Sources and further reading

  1. Stephen Little, Taoism and the Arts of China (Art Institute of Chicago, 2000)
  2. Livia Kohn, Daoism and Chinese Culture (Three Pines Press, 2001)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Religious symbolism and iconography”

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