Significance of the frog?

[Susan]

Hi Cecil
Can you tell me the significance of the frog or what it is symbolic of? Is it just the frog or does it apply to the toad as well?
During the summer while my husband was mowing the lawn he caught sight of a toad that jumped right infront of the mower. He stopped the mower but to his disappointment the toad had lost one of his legs. This upset my husband and he thought the frog would now die. 2 days later I found the toad in a garden bed outside our front door. I picked him up and he looked very well under the circumstances. His leg had healed well and he seem to be able to get around with no trouble. He has now made a toad hole that he lives in next to our front door. My husband picked up a Feng Shui book and saw them mention a 3 legged frog and asked if a 3 legged toad is the same? and is this actually lucky? (I guess not for the toad losing a leg but he does seem happy).
Regards
Susan

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Susan,
1. To the Chinese, the toad and frog symbolises the moon.
2. Usually, the Chinese do not `differentiate' the toad or the frog (as in general they are considered the `same'.
3. As the Chinese cultivate rice (rice fields); toads and frogs are common as they thrive under wet fields.
4. Because of its slippery feel, Chinese consider this `Heavenly dew' and consider the frog the heavenly chicken or celestial cock.
5. In ancient China, story that Chinese rulers and scholars found the coaking of frog/toad `irritating' and if they `told' the frog/toad to be quiet, they will do just that. - Legend
6. The Chinese has an immortal known as Lui Hai who lived during the Sung dynasty. This immortal (picture) is seen with a three legged toad.
7. The reason why one sees so many commercialised three-legged toad is because, the three-legged toad is suppose to represent money making.
8. In other temple processions of the Chinese God of Wealth, the three-legged toad object is included in the God of Wealth prosession.
9. One of the famous Chinese 8 immortals Zhang Guo Lao (who rides the donkey or house backwards is said to sometimes ride on the three-legged toad).
10. As further information, there is a charm that has the symbols of five poisonous animals.
10.1 The five poisonous animals are: The scorpion, centipede, frog, lizard and the snake.
10.2 This charm is used on the 5th day of the 5th month (which is the dragon boat festival) to protect against evil or bad influences.
I hope you can now understand better why people (sellers/merchants) "take advantage" of the symbol of the three-legged toad associating with `money-making'.
I am glad that both you and your husband has a very kind heart.. it shows:)
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 10/4/00 8:50:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Hi Cecil
Can you tell me the
significance of the frog or
what it is symbolic of? Is it
just the frog or does it apply
to the toad as well?
During the summer while my
husband was mowing the lawn he
caught sight of a toad that
jumped right infront of the
mower. He stopped the mower
but to his disappointment the
toad had lost one of his legs.
This upset my husband and he
thought the frog would now
die. 2 days later I found the
toad in a garden bed outside
our front door. I picked him
up and he looked very well
under the circumstances. His
leg had healed well and he
seem to be able to get around
with no trouble. He has now
made a toad hole that he lives
in next to our front door. My
husband picked up a Feng Shui
book and saw them mention a 3
legged frog and asked if a 3
legged toad is the same? and
is this actually lucky? (I
guess not for the toad losing
a leg but he does seem happy).
Regards
Susan