I have asian style statue but I do not know what kind of statue is that.?

Question: I have asian style statue but I do not know what kind of statue is that!.!?

Here are some pics!.
http://img384!.imageshack!.us/img384/9392/!.!.!.
http://img384!.imageshack!.us/img384/6826/!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Hi! This elderly man shown here holding a peach is the traditional East Asian motif of longevity!. he is the God of longevity, good health, and long life!. Often shown as smiling, surrounded by child disciples either boy or girl, and holding symbols of propersity such as peach, a walking stick decorated with beautiful precious jade and stones (that symbolize good things in Asian culture)!. While he can symbolize both divinity and immortal ebing, he too symbolize an beloved elderly grandpa who fuss over children!. It is not uncommon for him to be depicted in traditional paintings holding fat babies or adorable toddlers in his arms!.

The elderly one of longevity, as he is called, is always shown as friendly, and around children!. The white hair is somewhat modeled on the style of the Scholar confucius, and white hair too symbolize wisdom and the knowledge the passage of years add to a person!. So old age has its positive side!. Asian place great emphasis on Sage like qualities of tolerance, kindness, compassion and mildness of temper!.

* This old man can be shown in a variety of poses, here he is joyfully offering a peach (longevity symbol), and wearing a color robe!. The overlapping pattern you saw are used by both Japanese and chinese culture, Japanese using them for Kamon (家紋), or family clan on their kimono!. They all have significant meaning to them, and most of them mainly plant symbols or can be geometric symbols!.

The elderly man holds a dragon head walking stick with his right hand!. Again, in Asian culture, dragon is the animal of power and vitality, also the source of spiritual wisdom, associated with heaven and the most unusual of God's creation!. In traditional paintings, Celestial beings, Bodhissatvas, and Immortals are always shown seated upong animals such as dragon, bear, oxen, deer!.

The chinese writing on his back looks like the word for "Date" and the word for "leaf", both are used in traditional Asian medicine!.

Edit: Okay, I think the word is written somewhat with wrong strokes!.!.!.
Traidtional : 枣!. (missing strokes on the sculpture)
Japanese word for dates look like this--棗 (natsume)!.
Called in chinese "zao" (3 rd tone)!.

Leaf would be:
Leaf: 叶 (simplified modern chinese)
Traditional chinese: 葉 (ye 4, 4th tone)
Japanese: 葉 (called "Ha")

The ball on the back of his head----men never cut their hair in traditional asian culture (china/japan/korea)!. But keep them long!. So this grandpa puts it in a knot and covered it with a matching cloth!. Hairstyle is chinese!.

Flowing long sleeves spilling on either side is suppose to give a relaxed appearance!. (showing the watery texture of the fabric!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com