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Fu

Fu is a term in Chinese that most commonly denotes good fortune, happiness, or blessings. It is written with the character 福 (pinyin: fú). The character is one of the most recognizable in Chinese writing and is widely used across East Asia in decorations, art, and ritual objects. The form combines elements associated with ritual and abundance, and it is interpreted as blessings from heaven or ancestors.

In everyday usage, fu stands for good luck and prosperity. It appears on red envelopes, posters, and

Fu also appears as a surname and as part of Chinese given names. It is the pinyin

Cultural influence extends beyond mainland China. The concept of fu is shared in many East Asian cultures,

banners,
especially
during
the
Spring
Festival.
A
well-known
practice
is
to
display
the
character
upside
down,
a
visual
pun
that
conveys
the
idea
that
fortune
has
arrived
(the
word
for
arrival
sounds
similar
to
the
concept
of
being
inverted).
transliteration
of
several
Chinese
surnames,
such
as
傅
and
付,
among
others,
and
can
be
used
as
a
given-name
element
in
various
East
Asian
languages.
with
variations
in
character
and
pronunciation,
but
the
same
underlying
idea
of
blessing,
luck,
and
well-being
remains
central.
The
character
福
remains
a
common
motif
in
holidays,
weddings,
and
other
celebrations,
reflecting
a
longstanding
emphasis
on
auspiciousness
and
prosperity.