Page 64 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

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Today, as far as ordinary people are concerned, Buddhism is largely a way of
understanding and coping with death; and this means that it is usually the elderly who
take any interest in it. Monks conduct services for the dead and coffins are often kept for
years in Buddhist temples, as are the family plaques of those who have died young.
The skeletons of unknown people and of foreigners are kept in special chambers near the
temple. Formerly, the corpses of practising Buddhists were burned rather than buried,
and the present government has opted for cremation, though for reasons unconnected
with Buddhism.
The birth of Buddha is celebrated in China on the 8th day of the 2nd month according
to the old calendar, which corresponds to the 8th day of the 4th month by current
reckoning. Many texts give this date as that of Buddha’s conception.
The eight Buddhist symbols (ba-ji-xiang) are derived from the very oldest stratum
of Indian royal ceremony: the mussel symbolises the call to the sermon, which is
itself symbolised by the wheel; the canopy protects all living beings, the
umbrella shades all medicinal herbs, the lotus is the symbol of purity, the vase
that of perfect wisdom; the goldfish symbolise release, and the knot symbolises
eternal life.
In Buddhist art, the Buddha is sometimes shown surrounded by children at play:
this symbolises the ‘good fortune that comes down from heaven’. When the Buddha is
shown standing on a lotus bloom in the water, together with a woman clothed in red who
rides on a fish, this is a reference to the play ‘The White Snake’ (Bai she zhuan).
See also Bodhi, Fat-belly Buddha, Finger-lemon.

Footprints of the Buddha on stone, with the emblems of Buddhism