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Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Yasmine Moreno - Coggle Diagram
Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Yasmine Moreno
Deep History of Chinese Religion
Origins
Shang Dynasty
1600 - 1046 B.C.E.
First signs of organized religion
Ancestor worship
Animistic beliefs
Intertwined with cosmology
Zhou Dynasty
1046 - 256 B.C.E.
Ideas developed further
Established a heavenly court
Apex was the Jade Emperor
Confucianism
Based on respect for elders and ancestors
5 relationships
Ruler and subject
Father and son
Elder brother and younger brother
Husband and wife
Friend to friend
Founded by Confucius
Taoism
Founded by Laozi
Based on harmony and spritual immortality
Gods
Immortals
Supernatural creatures
Buddhism
Introduced in Han Dynasty
206 B.C.E - 220 CE
Brought from India
Most Important Chinese Gods and Goddesses
Jade Emperor
Known as Yù Huáng or Yù Dì
Ruler of all realms
Heaven
Hell
Earth
Wise and benevolent
Guanyin
Known as Kuan Yin or Quan Yin
Goddess of Mercy and Compassion
Originally a male god in Indian Buddhism
Evolved into a female goddess in Chinese Buddhism
Nuwa
Known as Nüwa
Key figure in Chinese religion
Creation and restoration myths
Saved the world from chaos
Created humanity
Repaired the damaged pillar of heaven
Fuxi
Known as Fúxī
Culture hero
Created hunting, fishing, and domestication
Shennog
Known as Shénnóng
Divine Farmer
Taught human essential skills of agriculture
Herbal medicine
Market Trade
Zhong Kui
Known as Zhōng Kuí or the Ghost King
Warded off evil spirits and demons
How to Worship and Honor the Chinese Gods
Household Worship
Most had a shrine
Gave offerings to the gods
Incense
Food
Tea
Prayers
Included statues or images of the gods
Temple Festivals
Temples held festivals
Often of god's birthdays
The Hungry Ghost Festival
Qingming Festival
Held rituals
Offerings
Music
Dance
Opera performances
Divination Practices
Guidance sought by the gods
Casting lots
Interpreting the I Ching
Held in temples
Pilgrimages
Journey to sacred temples or mountains
Religious practices
Mount Tai
Ancestor Veneration
Ancestors were protective spirits
Ceremonies were crucial
Offered food
Burned joss paper
Held in occasions like the Qingming Festival
Buddhist and Taoist Ceremonies
Different practices
Meditation
Honor gods or seek spiritual progress
Scripture recitation
Rituals
Life Cycle Rituals
Ceremonies and rituals honor gods
Gods do a lot
Birth
Marriage
Death
Preserve beliefs and traditions
How Chinese Mythology and Cosmology Works
Concepts of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld
Universe is divided into 3 realms
Tian
Heaven
Ruled by the Jade Emperor
Di
Earth
Yinjian
Underworld/Netherworld
Ruled by Yama
Creation Myths
Many different myths
Most known myth is with Pangu
Woke in a cosmic egg
Separated Yin and Yang
Created the earth and sky
Other myth included Nuwa
Created humans from yellow earth
Yinyang and the 5 Elements
Yin and yang are dual forces of the universe
Complementary
Interdependent
Constant flux
5 elements associate with gods, seasons, direction, and aspects of life
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
The Heavenly Bureaucracy
A hierarchy
Includes various gods responsible for different aspects of people and cosmos.
The Jade Emperor was on top
Karma and Reincarnation
Cycle of birth and death
Influenced by Buddhism
10 Kings of Hell judged souls
Determined reincarnations
