Old Man of the South Pole
Taoist deification of Canopus, symbol of happiness and longevity.
The Old Man of the South Pole is the Taoist deification of Canopus, the brightest star in the constellation Carina. He is one of the symbols of happiness and longevity in Far Eastern culture, also known as the Old Immortal of the South Pole, Xian of Longevity, or Star of Longevity.
Quick Facts
- Also called
- Old Immortal of the South Pole
- Xian of Longevity
- Star of Longevity
- Deification of
- Canopus (brightest star of Carina)
- Associated symbols
- Deer
- crane
- peach
- calabash gourd (elixir of life)
- Cultural role
- Symbol of happiness and longevity in China
- Korea
- Japan
- Vietnam
- Japanese counterpart
- Jurōjin, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Old Man of the South Pole is typically portrayed as an old man with long white hair and beard, a protruding forehead, and a healthy pink complexion. His right hand often holds a peach, and his left hand a walking staff with a calabash gourd said to contain the elixir of life. He can also be shown riding a crane or a deer, often accompanied by disciples. In Chinese pictures, he is frequently depicted with a deer by his side, a style related to a story of a Northern Song dynasty emperor who invited such an old man from the street and later considered him a sign of his longevity.
In Chinese, the star Canopus is called the Star of the Old Man or the Star of the Old Man of the South Pole. Because Carina is a southern constellation, Canopus is rarely seen in Northern China and, when visible in good weather, appears reddish near the southern horizon. The color red symbolizes happiness and longevity, so Canopus is also known in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam as the Star of Old Age or the Star of the Man of the Old Age. In Japan, it became Jurōjin, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
According to legend, the Old Man of the South Pole was once a sickly boy named Zhao Yen, predicted to die at age 19. Advised to bring wine and dried meat to a field where two men played checkers under a tree, he offered them the food and drink without answering their questions. After consuming the offerings, the two men—the star of the North Pole (who fixes birth) and the star of the South Pole (who fixes death)—changed his life expectancy from 19 to 91 years.
Reader's Guide
The Old Man of the South Pole holds significant cultural and religious importance across East Asia. As the deification of Canopus, he embodies the concepts of happiness and longevity, central values in Far Eastern culture. His reddish appearance in the southern sky aligns with the Chinese symbolism of red as an auspicious color, reinforcing his association with long life and good fortune.
In certain Chinese salvationist religions such as Yiguandao, he is responsible for initiating the Tao to beings from the Deva realm. His presence in classic Chinese literature further cements his legacy. In the novel Investiture of the Gods, he is the eldest disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun and descends to help King Wu in his attack against the deity Yin; his disciple is Xianhe Tongzi, the 'white crane boy.' In Journey to the West, his mount—a white deer—escapes to the nether world to become a demon, later defeated by Sun Wukong and taken back by the Old Man. Folklore also recounts the white snake spirit Bai Suzhen stealing medicinal herbs from his cave. The poet Du Fu mentioned the Old Man in his poetry.
His depiction with a peach (symbol of immortality), a calabash gourd (containing the elixir of life), and a deer or crane reinforces his role as a bestower of longevity. The legend of Zhao Yen, whose lifespan was extended from 19 to 91 years by the star of the South Pole, illustrates his direct influence over human fate. Across China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, he remains a recognized symbol of old age and happiness.
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