Do you know what kind of animal this toy is?

My initial thought was that it was a fun-looking extraterrestrial (unique red colour, two circles with dots, and some amusing black & white lines) meant to captivate kids or serve as a drawing room ornament.

I wanted to have another look.

By now I started thinking that it must be an animated tortoise. Suddenly I noticed two antennas located behind the head and further got confused.

Now I am certain that it’s a cartoon version of a snail.

I was wrong again. It’s a cow.

I have to take the help of google lens and realised that It was a Japanese toy.

Have you heard of Akabeko anytime before?

I never heard of this.

Akabeko are papier-mâché cows/bulls.

It’s not a toy or just an ornament, it’s a talisman of good fortune and health for Japanese people.

Japanese pay homage to the legend of the red cow/bull which came to the rescue when the construction of Enjou-ji, a temple in Ynaizu (Fukushima) was at a difficult stage.

(The legend is that a red cow in a herd of cattle helped to transport the heavy materials and refused to leave the temple even after it was completed. The transportation of heavy materials was difficult due to the cliff-top position of the site)

Some say that the cow became a Buddha upon completion of the temple and her body turned to stone.

It’s also believed that  Akabeka toys protect kids from smallpox during outbreaks.

Akabeko honours the cow which represents the symbol of strength and perseverance.

Above the toy-lightly touching the head of the cow causes it to nod.

The outcome of this experience

My mind begged me to accept my ignorance.

However, my ego is telling me that I have not done anything wrong, and the simple truth is that I did my best to conclude by using my intelligent imagination and that none can know everything in this world.

Message

My initial thoughts about the toy were 100% incorrect, and my imagination was useless.

We all think too highly of ourselves, and we think too much while doing so.

Is this not true?

By thinking a lot, we presume that we are the smartest and have the solution to everything.

I learnt something, and I realized that I am ignorant of so many things in this world.

I have become wiser.

Next time, I don’t jump to conclusions.

“True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us”

Socrates

Thank you for your visit.

Take care, my friend.

Namaste 🙏🙏🙏

Mr Philo

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This post is part of

✔John.S’s Cellpic Sunday

✔XingfuMama’s whatsoever is lovely