The Jin Chan (), also called Chan Chuy () or "Zhaocai Chan Chu" (), is most commonly translated as "Money Toad" or "Money Frog". It represents a popular
feng shui charm for prosperity.
This mythical creature is said to appear during the full moon, near houses or businesses that will soon receive good news (most of the time, the nature of this good news is understood to be wealth-related).
The Jin Chan is usually depicted as a
bullfrog with red eyes, flared nostrils and only one hind leg (for a total of three legs), sitting on a pile of traditional
Chinese cash, with a coin in its mouth. On its back, it often displays seven diamond spots. According to feng shui beliefs, Jin Chan helps attract and protect wealth, and guards against bad luck. Because it symbolizes the flow of money, feng shui lore insists that a Jin Chan statue should not be positioned facing the main door ("outward"). It also "should never be kept in the bathroom, bedroom, dining room or kitchen".
The Jin Chan is a legendary animal of the
Han people. The money toad is associated with the
Daoist
Taoism (, ) or Daoism () refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家; ''daojia'') or to a religion (道教; ''daojiao''), both of which share ideas and concepts of Chinese origin and emphasize living in harmony with the '' Ta ...
monk,
Liu Haichan
Liu Haichan was a ( 10th century) Daoist '' xian'' ("transcendent; immortal") who was a patriarch of the Quanzhen School, and a master of ''neidan'' "internal alchemy" techniques. Liu Haichan is associated with other Daoist transcendents, especi ...
, as the ''
xianren
''Xian'' () refers to a person or similar entity having a long life or being immortal. The concept of ''xian'' has different implications dependent upon the specific context: philosophical, religious, mythological, or other symbolic or cultural ...
s animal companion.
See also
*
Maneki Neko
The ''maneki-neko'' (招き猫, ) is a common Japanese figurine which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. The figurine depicts a cat, traditionally a calico Japanese Bob ...
*
Nang Kwak
*''
Lucky Frog'', sculpture inspired by this tradition
References
External links
Ch’an Chu: The Lucky Money Toad The Anthropology of Money in Southern California
{{Superstitions
Lucky symbols
Chinese culture
Chinese legendary creatures
Chinese words and phrases
Fictional frogs
Legendary amphibians