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Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Adriana Brandstaetter - Coggle Diagram
Ancient Chinese Pantheon of Gods by Adriana Brandstaetter
Deep History of Chinese
Religion
Shang Dynasty
c. 1600-1046 BCE
first signs of religious system
believed in cosmological concepts of the universe
pantheon stage would later emerge
Zhou Dynasty
they evolved early religious ideas
1046-256 BCE
jade emperor at its apex
Confucianism and Taoism were discovered
Han Dynasty
206 BCE - 220 CE
Buddhism has many gods that they worship
introduction of Buddhism from India
the religious landscape of China was further enriched because of Buddhism
Qing Dynasty
1644-1912 CE
gods and goddesses rose
gods adapted and evolved
characteristics often blending and shifting to reflect the needs and values
Ming Dynasty
1368-1644 CE
gods evolved
influenced by social changes, political climates, and cultural exchange
gods adapted
How to Worship and Honor the Chinese
Gods
Household Worship
Chinese households have shrines often house
they pray and leave offerings for protection
daily offerings of incense, food, and tea
images or statues of gods in their home
Temple Festivals
The Hungry Ghost Festival and the Qingming Festival are important festivals
events can involve elaborate rituals, including offerings, music, dance
Temples dedicated to specific gods or goddesses hold festivals
offerings are made to deities and ancestral spirits
Divination Practices
this is used used to seek guidance from the gods
performed at temples
this is a common practice in Chinese spirituality
involve methods such as casting lots or interpreting the I Ching
Pilgrimages
Pilgrimages to sacred mountains or temples
Mount Tai is a temple they used to worship
traveled to sacred mountains or temples
aspect of religious practices
Ancestor Veneration
they usually leave offerings during occasions like the Qingming Festival
they were ceremonies dedicated to ancestors
offerings of food and the burning of joss paper
ancestors are protective spirits
Buddhist and Taoist Ceremonies
practice medication
participation in rituals to honor deities or seek spiritual progress
praising recitation of scrimptions
participating to seek spiritual progress
Life Cycle Rituals
preserving and transmitting cultural values and traditions
people seek blessings and protection from the gods
create a sense of community
gods are referred to during life, death and marriages
How Chinese Mythology and
cosology
The Heavenly Bureaucracy
they had a celestial hierarchy, with the jade emperor on top
Chinese cosmology often mirrors the earthly realm
different aspects of the cosmos and human affairs
is a celestial hierarchy
Yinyang and the Five Elements
The Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water
a comprehensive cosmological system
each of the elements have different gods, seasons, directions and aspects on life
Yinyang represents the dual forces of the universe
Creation Myths
Yin (chaos) and Yang(order)
narrative involves the primal being Pangu
goddess Nuwa created humans from clay/yellow earth
Yin and Yang creating the Earth and the Sky
Karma and Reincarnation
Influenced by Buddhist thought
reincarnation plays a significant role in Chinese beliefs
This cycle of death and rebirth is overseen by deities such as the Ten Kings of Hell
the ten kings of hell judge souls and determine their future
Concepts of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld
it had 3 realms: Heaven (Tian), Earth (Di), and the Underworld or netherworld (Yinjian)
He Jade Emperor rules Heave
other deities have specific domains within these realms
Yama is the ruler of the Underworld
Important Chinese Gods and
Goddesses
Jade Emperor (Yù Huáng or Yù Dì)
ruler of Earth and Hell
ruler of Heaven
ruler of realms of existence
portrayed as a wise and benevolent ruler
Guanyin (Kuan Yin or Quan Yin)
Goddess of Mercy and Compassion
she was originally a male deity in Indian Buddhism
evolved into a female figure in China
she is a bodhisattva
Nuwa (Nüwa)
key figure in Chinese mythology
she created humanity and repaired the pillar of heaven
saved the world from chaos.
she is associated with creation and restoration myths
Fuxi (Fúxī)
Fuxi is regarded as a culture hero
originator of many human institution
depicted alongside Nuwa
Associated with the invention of an ancient text
Shennong (Shénnóng)
the Divine Farmer
he taught humans these essential skills
contributed in the development of civilization
revered as the progenitor of agriculture, herbal medicine, and market trade
Zhong Kui (Zhōng Kuí)
invoked for protection against evil spirits and demons
Zhong Kui is known as the Ghost King
he is considered a beneficent figure
each vast embodies a specific aspect of the cosmos or human life