Ever since the ancient China, it is believed that there are 200 gods. However, if you include the deities and spirits, then there are over 1000 of them. The Gods are believed to have created the world and all living beings, and are in charge of ensuring that the world and the universe to function in balance. The deities have their own respective specialties, and the important ones are given their own shrines and temples. Each deities have their own part to play in people’s lives.

 

There is the elemental earth spirit called the Tudi Gong in every village or graveyard, who is often recognised and honoured. There is also the Kuein-Shen spirit, the nature spirit, who resides in trees, by streams, and in gardens. Spirits like these are the ones who had never once been a mortal, thus they are called the eternal spirits.

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But for those who have been mortals such as the guei. Guei are thought to have lived as human beings, then died, and later entered the afterlife. The guei are able to return and haunt the living for many reasons, and practices such as rituals appease them.

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There are also deities who have lived as human beings, but now lived as one of the gods such as the Baxian ((Pa Hsien), the Eight Immortals of holy Taoist, who the Goddess Queen Mother of The West has rewarded them with immortality. The Baxian are ancestors who have passed over the bridge between the land of the living and the realm of the dead, and joined the Gods to watch over the living. Eventhough the used to be mortals, they are prayed by the living just like the other Gods.

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All of the Gods, Goddesses, and spirits were important to the people during ancient China, and until today, a small amount are still significant. Let us look at the main deities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE DRAGON

The dragon is the oldest symbol of a deity found during ancient China. The dragon composites the Yin and Yang energies, thus seen as a balancing force that radiates harmony. There are 9 types of dragon deities in ancient China, but the main one would be the dragon Yinglong, also known as the The Dragon King or the God of Rain and Water. Sailors and fishermen called him “The God of the Sea”. His human form portray him as a wise with the full sun over his head, watching over boats and people. In his dragon form, you can see it as a winged dragon.

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SHANGTI

Shangti, also known as the Jade Emperor, is the Ruler of Heavens. Shangti is the supreme God of law, order, justice, and creation. He is the great ancestor of all Chinese. And is the king of all Gods, beings, and nature. During Chinese New Year, Shangti will punish accordingly for those who have done good or evil during the previous year.

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Shangti was worshipped primarily during the Shang dynasty where he was considered a deified king. During the Zhou dynasty, Shangti was replaced with the concept of Tian, which means heaven. The Zhou developed this concept along with the concept of Mandate of Heaven, which legitimised the rule of a certain dynasty. Tian has the power to choose who is worthy of becoming the next ruler and the period of his ruling. When a dynasty was no longer fit, it fell and another ruler took its place. However, during Warring States Period, he re-emerged once again as Shangti.

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QUEEN MOTHER OF THE WEST

The Queen Mother of the West is the queen of all immortals, thus is called the Queen of Immortality. She is the wife of Mugong, Lord of the Spirits, who watches over male spirits in the land of Donghua. Some believed that she is the wife of Shangti.

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She lived in a castle made out of gold in the Kunlun Mountains, surrounded by moat which was so sensitive, that even a strand of hair would sink. The moat is to protect the Imperial Peach Orchard as its fruits could grant a person’s immortality. She would reward her followers with eternal life but punished those who have angered her.

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The Queen Mother of the West is shown as, depending on her mood, a beautiful woman with sharp teeth and a leopard’s tail, or as an old, ugly woman with hunched back, tiger’s teeth, and a leopard’s tail.

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GUANYIN

The legend behind Guanyin’s story is by the best one. Guanyin is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Originally, she was a deity from India, known as “Avalokitesvara” which means “One Who Gazes Down Upon the World and Hears the Cries of The People”. She has such a huge compassion and love for the people that she incarnated as a maiden to experience life as a human being and help them.

 

Her maiden name is Miaoshan. Her father wanted her to marry a rich priest, but she agreed to do so only if it could promise her that there will be no longer miseries and sickness for human beings. When her father said that such promise was impossible, she asked to marry a doctor, but her father was against the idea as a doctor was considered a lowly job at the time. Her father agreed to let her work at the temple instead of marrying, but he made sure that she got the worst job. Because of her kind heart, the animals helped her to accomplish her jobs. Furious, her father tried to burn the temple down, but Miaoshan was able to put it out with her bare hands. Her father later decided to execute her. However, when she went to Hell, she let all the kindness in her heart out and turned Hell into Heaven instead. Lord Yama, the king of the dead, sent her back to earth because she started ruining Hell with her kindness. She got kicked out of Hell because she was too kind.

 

Ever since that, she lived quietly on the Fragrant Mountain, watching over the people, and helped them with all her might. From her home, she would notice fishermen and sailors in trouble and help them, thus she became the patron Goddess of Sailors and Fishermen. Miaoshan was extremely adored by all beings.

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NUWA & FUXI

Nuwa and Fuxi are the parents of human beings. Thus, the reason why they are celebrated on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year festival. Nuwa was born at the beginning of creation and fixed many mistakes so that everything would be perfect. Nuwa built a palace for herself, which has become the model of Chinese architecture, and lived there with her friend/brother Fuxi.

Nuwa became lonely and created one species a day during the creation of the world. She created human beings on the 7th day with yellow clay from the Yellow River. She breathed life into them. She created more and more human beings, but it was too overwhelming for her so she created the concept of marriage to make them reproduce.

Although the humans are alive, they have zero knowledge. To help them out, Fuxi gave them the gift of fire, water, and all the skill needed to stay alive. He also gave them the gift of music, culture, and divination so that they could make good decisions in the future.

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There are so many other important Gods and Deities but these five are the most important ones.

Let’s look at the rest briefly.

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