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Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Tommy Hardison - Coggle Diagram
Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Tommy Hardison
Deep History of Chinese Religion
philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism began to take root
Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), hierarchical heavenly court, w/ Jade Emperor
Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) organized religious beliefs
Buddhism from India during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)
Ancestor worship and animistic beliefs intertwined w/cosmological concepts
Ming (1368-1644 CE) and Qing (1644-1912 CE), deities evolve
Most important Chinese gods and goddesses
Zhong Kui (Zhōng Kuí)
Ghost King
beneficent figure
deity w/protection against evil spirits
seen on charms and in artworks meant to ward off evil
Shennong (Shénnóng)
Divine Farmer
progenitor of agriculture
taught humans these essential skills
Contributed to human development
Fuxi (Fúxī)
originator of many human institutions (hunting, fishing, etc)
associated with the invention of the I Ching
a culture hero
Depicted alongside Nuwa
Nuwa (Nüwa)
Nuwa is a key figure in Chinese mythology
created humanity and repaired the pillar of heaven
associated with creation and restoration myths
saved the world from chaos
Guanyin (Kuan Yin or Quan Yin)
Goddess of Mercy and Compassion
bodhisattva who vowed to attain Buddhahood
Guanyin evolved into a female figure in China
liked for compassion and kindness
Jade Emperor (Yù Huáng or Yù Dì)
portrayed as a wise and benevolent ruler
ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence
ruler of Earth and Hell
administrative authority in the celestial bureaucracy
How to worship and honor the Chinese gods.
Divination Practices
seek guidance from the gods
involve methods such as casting lots or interpreting the I Ching
common practice in Chinese spirituality
performed at temples
Pilgrimages
Mount Tai is associated with the Jade Emperor
been a site of imperial worship and pilgrimage for centuries
significant aspect of religious practice
travel to sacred mountains or temples
Temple Festivals
hold festivals on the deity's birthday
elaborate rituals, including offerings, music, dance, and sometimes opera performances
Temples dedicated to specific gods or goddesses
Hungry Ghost Festival and the Qingming Festival are examples
Ancestor Veneration
revered as protective spirits
are crucial to religion
Ceremonies dedicated to ancestors
involve offerings of food and the burning of joss paper
during occasions like the Qingming Festival
Household worship
daily offerings of incense, food, and tea
house images or statues of the deities
keep a shrine dedicated to various deities
prayers are offered for blessings, protection, and guidance
Buddhist and Taoist Ceremonies
participation in rituals
honor deities
practices such as meditation and
recitation of scriptures
seek spiritual progress
Life Cycle Rituals
serves as worship and preserving cultural values
specific ceremonies to seek their blessings and protection
remind individuals of their roles within the societal structure
Deities are invoked during crucial life events, such as births, marriage, etc.
foster a sense of harmony between the human, natural, and divine realms
How Chinese mythology and cosmology works
Yinyang and the Five Elements
Yinyang represents the dual forces of the universe: complementary, interdependent, and in constant flux
Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—a seen as constituents
concepts of Yinyang and the Five Elements (Wuxing) underpin Chinese cosmology
has associations with different gods, seasons, directions, and aspects of life, forming a comprehensive cosmological system
The Heavenly Bureaucracy
most evident in the concept of the Heavenly Bureaucracy
celestial hierarchy, with the Jade Emperor at the top
Chinese cosmology mirrors the earthly realm
includes various deities responsible for different aspects of the cosmos and human affairs
Creation Myths
widely recognized narrative involves the primal being Pangu
After awakening in a cosmic egg, Pangu separated Yin (chaos) and Yang (order)
creation myths explain the origins of the universe and life on Earth
creating the Earth and the Sky
Karma and Reincarnation
cycle of death and rebirth is overseen by deities such as the Ten Kings of Hell
judge souls and determine their future incarnations
idea of karma and reincarnation plays a significant role in Chinese beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife
Influenced by Buddhist
Concepts of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld
Jade Emperor rules Heaven
other deities have specific domains within these realms
universe is divided into three realms: Heaven (Tian), Earth (Di), and the Underworld or netherworld (Yinjian)
Yama, known as Yanluo Wang, is the ruler of the Underworld
