The Daoist (Taoist) Toads Page

The toad is an auspicious animal in East Asia, especially in its three-legged form. Although associated specifically with China's Daoist traditions, toads have long been a well-known symbol in Chinese culture generally, and throughout East Asia as well. It is known by a variety of names. In Chinese, for example, it is known today as hama 蛤蟆, but numerous variations on this name are possible, such as 蝦 蟆, 蝦蜍, 蟾蜍. In Japanese one word for toad is gama 蝦蟇 (pronounced gamo  in some places), as well as hikigaeru 蟇蛙 and ibogaeru 疣蛙 ("wart frog"). A gamaguchi 蝦蟇口 ("toad mouth") is a coin purse.

The Toad in the Moon and the Legend of Chang-e 嫦娥

(Chinese mythological and legendary figures)

You may not know that a huge toad, often depicted with only three legs, lives in the moon (actually, more commonly it is a large white hare, but lets not worry about that story here). According to legend, Chang-e, was the wife of supernatural archer Hou Yi 后羿 (ca. 2500 bce in traditional accounts). Hou Yi obtained an elixir of immortality from the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu 西王母) to enable him to remain forever on guard against certain cosmic problems (the details of which need not concern us here). But Chang-e stole the elixir and fled to the moon. In this version of the tale, Chang-e is a symbol of vanity and arrogance (another version). Apparently, she regarded herself as the most beautiful woman in the world, treated Hou Yi (and everyone else) with contempt, and thought that if anyone were to attain immortal life it should be her. The Queen Mother of the West became angry upon hearing of this theft and turned Chang-e into a toad (sometimes depicted with four legs, often with three). Chang-e remains in that state to this day. This moon-toad-Chang-e is sometimes depicted pounding medicine, using a large mortar and pestle (though often a hare replaces the toad in this particular  image). The idea here is that the toad was condemned forever to compound and re-compound the elixir that Chang-e stole. This point leads to two deeply-rooted notions about toads in China. First, toads are symbols of longevity (along with pine trees, peaches, gourds, certain mushrooms, and many other things). Second, toads are thought to have medicinal properties. Toad skin, for example, might cure infected wounds and certain rashes when applied to them directly or as "toad grease" (There is also a Mt. Tsukuba Toad Festival in Japan). Also according to traditional accounts, it is possible to extract material from toads that can be made into a pill to alleviate heart conditions.

Associations with Daoist Immortals and Recluses 仙人

When associated with Daoist immortals, the toad also took on certain additional associations derived from its basic meaning as a symbol of longevity. The famous Daoist immortal Liu Hai became closely associated with a large toad that accompanied him as a companion. The ugliness of the toad was, on the contrary, a form of beauty to immortals, who had abandoned the prejudices of human society and culture for a life in close harmony with the natural world. Liu Hai is also depicted with a string of money, and, in popular lore, toads also became associated with gold coins. Images of Liu Hai with his toad and coins serve as lucky talismans in popular folklore (e.g., the second image below). Sometimes other immortal recluses such as Hanshan 寒山 and Shide 拾得 (collectively known as He-he 和合) are depicted with toads. Similarly, the toad became a symbol of carefree frivolity and spontaneous enjoyment of the here-and-now. Keep these points in mind when viewing the images below. You might also notice the prevalence of bottle-gourds in many of the images. The bottle-gourd (hulu 葫蘆 and other names) has long been a complex symbol of good fortune and magic power in Chinese and Japanese culture.

The images on this page are thumbnails. Click any of them to view the full-sized picture.

Various images of Liu Hai and Xiamo  (you may have to look closely to see the toad):

Ca. 18th-early 20th century: ;   ; Ca. 17th century or earlier: ;   ;   ;   .

Image of Hanshan and Shide with a toad:

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