Gong Xi Fa Cai!
In 2024, we usher in a particularly auspicious and fortuitous Zodiac Year - The Year of the Dragon (龙 lóng).
In the lead up to the 14 days of festivities, we take a look at the role that Indian sandalwood plays across Chinese ritual and worship, traditional medicine, spiritual wellness, and Zodiac.
Indian sandalwood continues to play a significant role within Chinese prayer and worship, particularly within the Buddhist faith.
Early Buddhist texts claim that Buddha, while in his mother’s womb resided in the luxurious upper-floor of a palace made of sandalwood.* Fittingly, in death, his body was cremated on sandalwood.
The calming and grounding effects of sandalwood incense make it the ideal meditation companion. The white cloud of sandalwood incense smoke is thought to create a bridge between heaven and earth to carry prayers up to the gods, and to help cast out negative energy and reveal purity.
The grounding warmth and comfort of Indian sandalwood is also used in Chinese worship in the form of wooden prayer beads, known as Mala beads, to act as a reminder of one’s blessings.
There are 12 animals in the Zodiac cycle called 生肖 (shēngxiào). Each animal is attached to a new year and represents unique traits and attributes. In order, these animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
In keeping with the tradition of transforming sandalwood into sacred statues, furniture, and jewellery, we’ve brought each of the Zodiac animals to life in the form of hand-carved Indian sandalwood ornaments.
Believed to evoke blessings yet to come, Indian sandalwood ornaments and statues often occupy significant spaces within once’s home or place of worship.
To help welcome in the positive energy of the Lunar New Year, our hand-carved sandalwood statues and zodiacs are available to purchase online or in-store.
Guanyin (觀音), Goddess of Mercy
“The most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity”
Symbolising mercy and love and believed to be the physical embodiment of compassion, Guanyin is considered all-seeing and all-knowing. Coming to her worshipper’s aid in times of uncertainty, despair, and fear, Guanyin is said to bless her devotees with physical and spiritual peace.
Guan Yu (關羽), God of War and Wealth
Standing as a symbol of loyalty, bravery and success. Guan Yu is considered the Chinese God of War and Wealth.
Guan Yu lived during China's turbulent Three Kingdoms (AD 220-280) period and is one of the most popular figures of Chinese mythology, worshipped to ward off evil spirits and provide protection.
Indian sandalwood has been used as a significant ingredient within Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, revered for its ability to treat mental and physical ailments and to help regulate qi flow.
In treating the body, Indian sandalwood is a versatile anti-inflammatory and anti-septic ingredient, used in a range of applications to treat skin diseases, fatigue, impotence, poor immunity, eczema, nausea and vomiting, and stress.
In treating the mind, its therapeutic effects are used to induce calmness and relaxation, combat stress, anxiety and nervous tension, and to enhance memory, sleep and focus.
* McHugh, James (2012) Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture, Oxford Scholarship Online, p. 210.
