Old Man of the South Pole

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Old Man of the South Pole
Old Man of the South Pole on painted ceramic
Traditional Chinese	南極老人
Simplified Chinese	南极老人
Literal meaning	Old Man of the South Pole
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin nánjí lǎorén

The Old Man of the South Pole (Chinese & Japanese: 南極老人), also called the Old Immortal of the South Pole (Chinese: 南極仙翁), Xian of Longevity (Chinese: 寿仙), or Star of Longevity (Chinese: 寿星, shòuxīng), is the Taoist deification of Canopus, the brightest star of the constellation Carina. He is typically portrayed with long white hair and beard, a protruding forehead and a healthy pink complexion. His right hand often holds a peach and left hand a walking staff with a calabash gourd, which is said to contain the elixir of life. He can also be portrayed as riding a crane or a deer, often accompanied by disciples.^[1]

He is one of the symbols of happiness and longevity in Far Eastern culture.