Shou Xing - God of Longevity
This character represents 'long life'. According to Chinese folklore, Longevity is described as wise, knowledgeable and capable of ruling the world. During festivals, a Chinese family normally worships the symbols or pictures of Longevity to express gratitude for granting the elders in the family a long life.
When old people celebrate their birthdays, families and friends love to use the drawings of Shou as gifts. Pictures of Shou were often drawn on birthday cakes. Such a gesture would embody the filial wish that family elders or birthday person might live as long as the legendary mountains of the south, with health and good fortune to match.
(www.godoflongevity.com)
It was Grandpa's birthday in Ipoh a few weeks ago...and I had returned home for the big family party with a small cake in hand.
My little guy had the bald bumpy forehead, the large earlobes... the peach of immortality and was ushered in by a adorable giant tortoise; a symbol of long life for the Chinese.
I'm far from knowledgeable in terms of Chinese gods or Taoism for that matter; but I still do hold our culture close to my heart.Grandpa was thrilled and so very proud of me.... ahh it was so sweet.
Sis and I love our Grandpa!
**I can't take all the credit for this design. Thanks "Ah young" for the inspiring idea. :)
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16 comments:
do you make all of these by hand? if so, you're even better than the guys from Ace of Cakes!
sooo sweet! it's nice to see how culturally grounded you and your families are in these times. such a cute cake and nice picture of your sis and grandpa! happy birthday Su's grandpa! ;)
That is a gorgeous cake! Such a cute idea. :)
xox Sarah
Are these cakes edible? Cuz they look like they are just made from fondant.
work of a genius.
totally lovely, they sure love it su....
Su Yin, another great and unique creation. Your grandpa must be truly proud of you. I agree tiwh smurfet, you are better than those guys drom Ace of Cake.
a couple of questions Su Yin. How much time does it typically take for you a complete a cake like this? What is the proportion of cake vs. fondant in this particular design? is every part of this cake edible?
just curious...what your grandpa do with the cake after he received it. I wish to be able to preserve it as long as I could if I were him.
BTW, maybe you could make a porcelain "clone" similar to those on top of the altar Gods? Or maybe you could sell your design to the manufacturer....that would be good, rite?
Lovely thought. No wonder Grandpa smiling till his eyes cannot see .. hahahaha.
smurfett: aww... haha i dont think im any much better than them; ace of cakes is awesome. I do like to do cakes which look unique though.
Kiran: hehe its inevitable when youre malaysian! :P
saraH: thanks dear.
Anonymous: ahah i love anonymous comments ;). Of course they are edible. And they are cake. fondant over the top.
kim: thanks :)
breadpitt: hey there; would love to get your email address. Need to ask you about something.
linda: you're too sweet. **blush* thanks dear.
chef c: It took me a little less than a day. The whole cake was edible. The tortoise was cake; the little guy on the top i made for grandpa to keep as a display figurine; it was made from sugar too. It's a bad omen to cut apart the god of longevity :P hehe
sam: hehe it's sitting on his kitchen counter; the cake was eaten but the little guy is being preserved. Haha i don't think my stuff is good nuff for porcelain.
familyfirst: haha it was the best watching him.
ya sure, koichong8@hotmail.com
Hi Su Yin are making your own fondant o you are using ready made?
did anyone tell you yet, that your god of longevity figurine looks like your grandpa?? hehehehe! so cute! :) :) well done, su!
Hi Su Yin, I'm Jessie from Brunei n happened to stumble across ur blog so I thought I'd leave a comment. Firstly let me just say I've only just picked up my jaw from the floor looking at ur amazing work! I bet the cakes are delicious too even if they are too pretty to eat. I was wondering how your schedule is for X'mas to make a little cake cos my fiance and I will be heading to KL to check out bridal studios etc and I thought of surprising him with a little something different for X'mas. We will be in KL from 25th to 28th Dec and I thought one of ur little cakes would be perfect. Please do let me know. Thanks!
SO so well-done and oh-so-sweet.
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