“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
– Betty Friedan
INTRODUCTION
The Shou (Longevity) Chinese Trivet is the third pattern of my Fu Lu Shou Trivet Collection and it’s an advanced beginner mosaic crochet pattern.
壽 (shòu) is a Chinese character that means “longevity” or “long life.” The character is a pictogram and represents the idea of a person holding a peach, which is a symbol of immortality in Chinese culture. The peach is often associated with the Queen Mother of the West, a goddess in Chinese mythology who is said to have a peach garden where the peaches of immortality grow.
The character 壽 has a long history and can be traced back to oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang Dynasty. The original form of the character was a pictogram of a person holding a peach, with the character 象 (xiàng) added to the top to indicate its meaning. Over time, the character evolved and underwent several changes in form, eventually taking the shape we recognize today in modern Chinese script.
In Chinese culture, the character 壽 is often associated with birthdays and is commonly used on birthday cakes and decorations. It is also a common motif in Chinese art and is often used to represent the wish for a long and healthy life. The character is sometimes combined with other characters, such as 福 (fú) for “good fortune” and 禄 (lù) for “wealth,” to represent the three most important blessings in Chinese culture: 福壽禄 (fú shòu lù).
Mythology of 福祿壽
福 (fú), 禄 (lù), and 寿 (shòu) are an ancient belief and mythology in Chinese culture. They are regarded as three deities representing happiness, wealth, and longevity. According to legend, the God of Happiness is called Fuxing, the God of Wealth is called Luxing, and the God of Longevity is called Shouxing.
The God of Happiness is depicted as a happy and contented person, carrying a bag filled with symbols of happiness and wealth. The God of Happiness is usually portrayed as a smiling person dressed in traditional Chinese clothing. People believe that the God of Happiness brings good luck and wealth, so during the Chinese New Year, people will paste the character “福” in their homes and in front of shops.
The God of Wealth is a symbol of wealth and is usually depicted as a person holding a staff. It is believed that the God of Wealth brings good luck and wealth to people, so people will paste the character “禄” in their homes and in front of shops.
The God of Longevity is depicted as an old man carrying a cane. The God of Longevity is usually portrayed as a person with long beard and white hair, symbolizing longevity and wisdom. People believe that the God of Longevity can bestow longevity and happiness, so people use the character “寿” during birthday celebrations and other festive occasions.
福 (fú), 禄 (lù), and 寿 (shòu) are widely used in Chinese culture. The three deities are often used together as a complete symbol for blessing and celebration on various occasions. In Chinese culture, the God of Happiness, the God of Wealth, and the God of Longevity are regarded as symbols that bring happiness and longevity to people.
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PATTERN DETAILS
The Shou (Longevity) Chinese Trivet is an advanced beginner mosaic crochet pattern. Mosaic crochet is a colorwork technique that is worked on the right side (RS) only. Each row uses one color, which will require us to fasten off and cut off the working yarn at the end of each row. The only two stitches that is required to work on a mosaic crochet pattern are single crochet and double crochet.
If this is the first time you come across a mosaic crochet project, don’t be afraid. The technique is really simple, and I guide you through it with a very detailed explanation and picture tutorial on the PDF pattern! The pattern consists of 14 pages, more than 30 pictures and a graph, so I promise that even a beginner can do it!
If you don’t wish to make a potholder, you can turn this trivet into a framed art (check picture below). The PDF pattern also comes with instructions on how to do this 🙂
MATERIALS NEEDED
To work on this pattern, you will need:
- Shou (Longevity) Chinese Trivet crochet pattern by Haven Crochet Designs
- Lily Sugar’n Cream (this is a thicker #4 worsted weight cotton yarn; 113g/4oz, 184m/200yds per ball)
- Main Color – approx. 125 yds
- Contrast Color – approx. 45yds
- 4mm and 4.5mm crochet hooks
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Blocking mat and pins
DIMENSSIONS
Approx. 8”-9” square (after blocking).
COPYRIGHT
This pattern and associated images are copyright protected and the sole property of Haven Crochet Designs. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be redistributed, transferred, or sold. Please do not alter the pattern in order to claim it as your own. Items produced from my patterns may be sold at your discretion. However, I kindly ask that you credit me as the designer and provide a link back to my site www.havencrohetdesigns.com, or provide my social media handle @havencrochetdesigns. For more details, see Terms and Conditions.
