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Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Isabella Hurtado, image Image: Jade…
Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Isabella Hurtado
Deep History of Chinese Religion
Orgins
Can be traced back to the birth of China.
During the Shang Dynasty was the first actual sign of an organized religious system.
The main core in Chinese philosophy is the interrelation of heaven and earth.
Confuciousism
Reinforcing herarchical nature of the heavenly court
Created by Confucious
Emphasized respect.
Taoist
Introduced a myriad of gods, immortals, and supernatural creatures.
Emphasis on natural harmony and spiritual immority
Contributed significantly to the structure and interpretation of the pantheon.
Buddhism
Adapted to Chinese culture with some Buddhist deties.
Such as bodhisattva of compasion
Originally from India.
Most important Chinese gods and goddesses
Guanyin (Kuan Yin or Quan Yin)
Well-known as the Goddess of Mercy, and Compassion.
They are also a bodhisattva who vowed to attain buddahood.
She was orginally a male deity in INdian Buddhism, but in China is seen as a female deity of compassion, and kindness.
Nuwa (Nüwa)
They are often assciated with creation, and restoration myths.
Nuwa is a key figure in China, due to them being one of the most famous tales.
Her most famous story is the one where she saved humanity, and repaired the crwation, and restoration myths.
Jade Emperor (Yù Huáng or Yù Dì)
The ruler of heaven, and all relams that exist.
He is often seen as a wise ruler.
He is the one who has the ulimate authority in the celestial bureaucracy.
Fuxi (Fúxī)
He is usually seen to be with Nuwa
He is also seen as a culture hero, or symbol, and the inventor of hunting, fishing, and domestication.
He is associated with the invention of the I. Ching. (An ancient text)
Shennong (Shénnóng)
Known as Divine Farmer
He is the progenitor of agriculture, herbal medince, and market trade.
He is belived to have taught or teached humans those skills. (Agriculture, herbal medince, and market trade). This caused a big advancement for the civilzation.
Zhong Kui (Zhōng Kuí)
This deity is often seen as qa protection against evil.
He is known as the ghost king.
Although he looks scary or menacing, he is considered a beneficent figure. His image alone can fend off any evil.
How to worship and honor the Chinese gods
Household Worship
Many households keep a shrine dedicated to many different types of deities.
The shrines usually have offerings, or images of the deity.
Prayers are offered for blessings, protection, and guidance.
Temple Festivals
Temples are deciated to specfic gods, or goddess, and hold festivials often when it's the deity's birthday.
Those event usually consist of rituals, like dancing, offerings, and music.
For example the Hungry Ghot festivial is where offerings are made to deities, and ancestral spirits.
Divination Practices
This involves many methods such as lots of interpreting the I. Ching.
Often peformed at the temples.
Used to seek guidance from the gods
Pilgrimages
Sacred mountains or temples that being religious pratice.
For example Mount Tai which is associated with the Jade Emperor.
This site has been an imperial worship and pilgrimage for centuries.
Ancestor Veneration
Often including offerings of food, and burning of joss paper
The ancestors are revered as proctective spirits.
ceremonies dediciated to ancestors
Buddhist and Taoist Ceremonies
Recitation of scriptures
Participation in rituals to honor deities or seek spirtual process.
Meditation
Life Cycle Rituals
Ceremonies are not just worshiping a god, or gods, but it is an act of also preserving, and transmitting cutural values, and traditions.
They create a sense of commuity, and help people remind themselves of their parts in society, and the peace they keep.
Deities are invoked during crucial life events like briths, marrigages, or things like that. Things that need protection, or blessings.
How Chinese mythology and cosmology works
Karma and Reincarnation
Karma, and reincarnation play a big role in Chinese beliefs about life, death, and afterlife.
The cycle of death, and rebirth is overlooked by deities like the Ten Kings of Hell, (They judge souls and determine their future incarnations)
Influenced by the Buddhist though, with the idea of karma, and reincarnation
The Heavenly Bureaucracy
The celestial hierarchy with the Jade Emperor, with other deities responsible for all the cosmos, and human affairs.
The mirroring of the eathly realm is an evident concept in the Heavenly Bureaucracy.
Chinese cosmology mostly mirrors the earthly realm
Creation Myths
Many of the myths explain the orgins of the universe, and the start of life on Earth.
One of the most known is the story of Pangu. (After awaking in a cosmic egg Pangu separated Yin, and Yang, creating the Earth, and Sky.)
Another known myth is one that has the goddess Nuwa who created humans from yellow earth or clay.
Concepts of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld
The Jade Emperor rules Heaven (while other deities/gods rule other domains)
For example Yama(Yanluo Wang) is known as the ruler of the Underworld.
Three realms: Heaven, Eath, and the Underworld(or Netherworld)
Yinyang and the Five Elements
The Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Each element has a association with a different god, season, directions, and perspective of life.
Yinyang represents two dual or opposite forces. Yin being chaos, and Yang being seen as order.
Image: Jade Emperor
Image: Pie chart of the beliefs in China's population
Image: Jade Emperor Image: Pie chart of the beliefs in China's population