Bats (Koumori)

Bat with momji and moon painting by Marco Tengu

Meaning: Luck, Tranquility, Wealth, Longevity, Virtue

Bats in Japanese folklore like many other things are symbols of good luck. Their images were often used on items such as pottery, sword kilts and kimonos. Why they are considered good luck might be found in their Japanese name Koumori. There are several thoughts and comparisons to other Japanese words; Kawamori-which means river protector, Kawahari-which means stretched between bone and Kawahori-which means eating mosquitoes.

When Japan was under Chinese influence bats were symbols of good luck and happiness. This is probably because the word for bat in Chinese “fu” sounds like happiness. The Chinese god of happiness is called fu-xing, he is often represented by a bat and in human form he has bats embroidered on his robes. Two bats means extreme happiness and five bats represent the five blessings: Tranquility, Wealth, Longevity, Love of Virtue and a natural death.