The deer is one of those animals in feng shui that quietly goes about it own business while most of the attention and adulation goes to the more popular symbols like dragons, phoenix and tiger.
While there is a distinct difference between deers and goats, some people still knowingly equate the two as being similar in symbolism. The same can be said with antelopes, moose, the elk and even yaks.
The deer is known for it’s speed, light-footedness, endurance and a long lifespan.
The last point is still up to debate as while deers can often live to over 20 years, that is a drop in the ocean when we compare that to tortoises and macaws.
It is probably due to this confusion that the deer is not as loved by the masses as birds and fishes like eagles and arowanas.
Whatever the case, the deer is a known symbol representing aspects of longevity in feng shui.
Legend of the deer
Legend has it that there were 3 variants of the longevity deer. The 3 colors are gray, white and black. Having lifespans of 1,000 years, 1,500 years and 2,000 years respectively.
The white deer in particular, was believed to make an appearance during periods of peace and prosperity like how the chi lin does.
This is an animal that features in many traditional folklore, albeit in small roles.
The most prominent of which is it’s association with Shou, the god of longevity who is one of the 3 member of Sanxing, or the Fu Lu Shou. The creature can also be a representation of the god of wealth within the trio due to wordplay.
Another story is about Zhou Yan Zi in a classic tale of filial piety who carries a deer skin on his back so as to get close to packs of deers to milk them to feed his ailing father.
Then there is the story of Jiang Zi Ya. A hero who prefers mounting deers over horses.
However, no matter how engaging these stories are, the mammal is almost always depicted to accompany Shou when used in feng shui symbolism.
There’s also one myth that involved Zhang Guo Lao of the 8 immortals.
It’s about Emperor Xuan Zhong of the Tang dynasty who caught a huge deer when hunting game. He decided to consume it in a big feast and invited Zhang. When enjoying the hearty meal, Zhang recognized the venison as belonging to the longevity deer which lives for a thousand years. He then told the tale of emperor Wu Di from the Han dynasty (over 800 years before) who trapped the longevity deer and let it go after securing a copper tag with his imprint on it to one of it’s antlers. Emperor Xuan Zhong then asked for the head of the deer to inspect it and was stunned to learn that the copper tag was still there.
Thus, is it generally known as a longevity symbol even though it also has wealth and prosperity connotations to it.
The chinese word for deer is also a homonym for lu, which means good income.
When depicted in paintings or artwork with people in robes worn by government officials, is signifies a wish for promotions in civil service.
With cranes or pine trees, the symbolism is that of longevity. When the pine is replaced in this threesome by the parasol tree, it carries the profound message of Spring being the catalyst for all to prosper.
Then there is also the painting of a hundred deers which mean being blessed with abundance. The cypress tree sometimes accompanies this arrangement to reinforce the underlying message.
Spotted deers were believed to be able to locate the most elusive type of lingzhi and consume it itself. This is why the immortality herb is sometimes held in the mouth of a depicted deer.
A seated deer has connotations with Buddhism.
How the feng shui deer is used
Because of it’s combination symbolism of longevity and wealth, the deer makes a great gift for those who are grinding out their careers for fame and money.
They are especially respectful gifts to government officials or people in high authority as it represents respectful wishes of success and wealth.
Paintings of the deer can also be an energizer for quick thinking.
It must be noted that deers, especially large ones, can be territorial and moody at times.
In fact, deer attacks on humans are common. They often do this in rearing positions or by stomping.
So the best pictures or paintings of deers should be those that depict them in a peaceful mood either while grazing or relaxing.
Where they can be placed are the wealth or health corners of the house.
Figurines sometimes have them standing amongst gold ingots and coins. Those are undoubted meant for enhancing wealth luck.
When portrayed with Shou, they are meant for invigorating longevity and placement should be in the health corners like the yien nian location in 8 mansions feng shui.
They can also be place in sectors of the house where there resides a favorable flying mountain star.
In feng shui paintings, especially those of scenery with mountains and rivers, there can often times be 5 deers playing about.
This has significant symbolism to the Chinese in terms of calling for wealth luck.
Because the deer is written as 鹿 in Mandarin and pronounced as lu, it sounds the same as the word 路 which means road.
Wealth gods are often referenced as 五路财神 (wu lu cai shen) representing 5 wealth gods from 5 directions (roads).
Therefore 5 deers is a word play that symbolizes the 5 wealth gods that bring money luck.
Above all else, it is generally agreed that the deer is used in feng shui more for health luck than wealth luck.
