Chan Chu - The Lucky Frog

Chan Chu (Ch'an Chu) or "Three-legged Money Frog" is a popular Chinese symbol of prosperity. According to Feng Shui this frog wards off evil spirits and it can help you in the rise of your income. In the Chinese mythology it is the companion of the 10th century Taoist alchemist Liu-Hai. There is an ancient story claiming that this frog is actually a woman who was transformed into a frog as her husband stole the elixir of immortality. It is believed that this special frog personifies the Moon. Its three legs are thought to be three Moon phases.

Chan Chu is usually depicted as a big frog with red eyes. This frog sits on a pile of traditional Chinese I-Ching coins. I-Ching coin has a square-shaped hole in its centre. The frog has a coin in its mouth. This coin sometimes has a dragon and a bird engraved on it. 7 dots on the frog's back symbolize stars of the Ursa Major. They are the essential part of the Chinese Elemental Astrology. These stars together with 2 hidden stars of the Northern Skies are believed to be the 9 stars of Bagua. The Bagua represents the basis of Feng Shui.

In temples Chan Chu frog is usually placed next to the Altar of the Earth God. In businesses people put the frog near cash registers or on the table of important business people. Lucky frog is kept at home too. It should be placed in the corner of a living room or any other room. Not every corner is a good one. People choose the one diagonally across from the entrance to a room. It is done so as this corner is the gathering point of the chi (ch'i). Chi or qi is the energy flow or vital energy existing in every creature.