Laughing Buddha Cinnabar Hanging Charm

A laughing buddha carved in cinnabar, an ingot in his hands, hung beneath a six-character mantra bead.

Cinnabar is the fire-red stone of the Chinese tradition, long worn to guard vitality and keep good fortune close. Its colour alone was considered protective, the red that meets whatever the day brings.

The laughing buddha is Budai, the wandering monk whose good humour became a byword for contentment and plenty. He holds a gold ingot, the old shape of wealth, so the piece speaks of money arriving and being enjoyed rather than fretted over. The bead above him carries the six-character mantra, a blessing for protection and peace of mind.

A charm for someone who works hard for their money and would like to laugh a little more about it. Clip it to a bag, a set of keys or the rear-view mirror.