Lou Jin Gou (Bond Golden Dog)

The Lou mansion is the second of the Seven Lunar Mansions of the White Tiger in the West and is associated with the Metal element, manifesting as a golden-furred spiritual hound. 'Lou' signifies the gathering of multitudes; the three stars of the Lou mansion form a pattern resembling a celestial granary, governing the rearing of sacrificial animals and construction projects. In Daoism, this mansion is venerated as Lord Lou Jin Gou, Star Sovereign of the Lou Mansion. According to traditional astrological interpretation, when the Lou mansion shines brightly, livestock flourish and state revenues swell. In folk practice, devotees worship Lord Lou Jin Gou to ensure the safety and health of their domestic animals and to attract wealth and auspicious fortune—hunters and herders hold him in especially high reverence.