Chinese deity drawing is a popular art form in China. These beautiful paintings depict gods, heavenly beings, and heavenly bodies. There are many different styles of these artworks. Some artists focus on the religious aspect of the deities. Others focus on the mythological elements of the gods.
Yinyanggong
Yinyanggong is based on the single line, a Chinese concept combining Yang and Yin elements. As one can see, the Chinese deity is usually represented as a supernatural creature, but the Creator can also be a woman in traditional Chinese hanfu. Nuwa’s mother is the goddess Huaxu. She became pregnant when she wandered the universe and stepped in the footprint of the thunder god Leigong. Her brother, Fuxi, is credited with the creation of humanity. He is also seen as the inventor of cooking, hunting, and the Chinese writing system.
The Laozi text is considered the source of Chinese religion and philosophy. Its authors attempted to provide theological sanction for their views and described Heaven as an active creator god. They also believed that lesser spirits were messengers between Tian and humans. As a result, they encouraged religious reverence as a moral sanction for social order. In a way, Laozi was a Chinese philosopher who tried to justify his work’s philosophical and ethical rigor.
The forces of yin and yang must be balanced for life to be healthy. Adverse effects may occur when the two parties are out of balance, including fever, chills, stomach pain, and swollen eyelids. The adverse effects of yin can also include mental confusion.
According to Chinese mythology, the Jade Emperor (or Yu Huang) is the supreme ruler of Heaven. He was born in a kingdom filled with light. After the death of his father, he became a great ruler. The Jade Emperor bestowed this greatness on the deities of his land.
Ba Xian
The Ba Xian are Chinese deities who are usually depicted in the form of human beings. They survive death and become the focus of stories and worship. The first images of xian appear during the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and depict them as human beings with wings. Other names for the Ba Xian are Lauren, meaning “Daoists.” Many of them are described as living on remote islands off the eastern coast of China.
Some of the Ba Xian was related to powerful officials of ancient China. One, Cao Guojie, is believed to be a descendant of the Song dynasty general Cao Bin and the younger brother of Empress Cao. Another, Cao Guojie, maybe a descendant of the Tang dynasty politician Cao Jingzhi.
A famous work of art of the Ba Xian is The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. The Eight Immortals use their powers to cross a turbulent sea, a common theme among Chinese deities. The Eight Immortals were also depicted carrying magic tools. This suggests that they each had a unique skill.
Another deity associated with immortality is He Xiangu. She was a young girl when she dreamed that she was immortal. During this dream, she ate a peach, which nourished her body. This allowed her to become immortal. She then floated from mountain to mountain, gathering herbs and fruit.
Many Ba Xian were based on historical figures from the Warring States period. For example, one of the most popular Ba Xian, Lu Dongbin, was a poet in the Tang Dynasty and was later immortalized as a Ba Xian member. Before becoming immortal, he was known as Lu Yan. He underwent ten trials before becoming a member of the Ba Xian.
Change
The Change deity is the Chinese god of immortality. She is often depicted floating toward the Moon and holding a moon disk in her right hand. Some depictions also feature the Hare preparing the drug of immortality. Other reports show her floating in the sky.
The story of Change’s death reveals the twisted nature of this deity. Despite his desire for immortality, he became addicted to the elixir of immortality. Thieves stole the mixture. Change tried to hide it but was captured by them. She eventually drank the potion, giving her immortality.
The story behind the Change myth dates back to the 5th century BC, during the Warring States period. The story tells that Change stole an elixir of immortality from Xi Wang Mu, Queen Mother of the West. She then flew to the Moon and became a spirit.
Change is also known as the Moon Goddess. In ancient Chinese mythology, the Moon Goddess lived on the Moon. Her beautiful form drew the affection of a hero archer named Hou Yi, and they married soon after. During the Tang dynasty (618-906), Change was already famous as a deity.
The Change deity also has a legendary power of manipulation. She can manipulate illusions, memories, and elements. She can control the Moon, darken the sun, and create orbs of light. She can also use light effects and create a forest in her palace.
The Change deity is one of the most beloved in Chinese mythology. She stole the elixir of immortality from legendary archer Hou Yi and became the goddess of the Moon. Change combines two characters, Change and e, meaning “pretty young woman.” Even though she is a deity of the Moon, she is still one of the most popular in the Chinese canon.
Xiwangmu
Xiwangmu is a female deity who is associated with magic and shamanism. A phoenix draws her chariot, and a deer often accompany her. She is also related to the Moon. Some drawings depict her with a dancing frog and a moon rabbit pounding an elixir of immortality.
Her primary role in Chinese mythology is to grant long life. Xiwangmu is sometimes thought of as the mysterious woman of the nine heavens, who was in charge of immortals of her sex. Her husband was the Heavenly Archer Yi. The two married during the Tang Dynasty lasted from 618 to 906 AD.
The Baxian, the Eight Immortals, celebrate Xiwangmu’s birthday. During the celebration, Xiwangmu’s deities are served special delicacies. For instance, the Baxian will help bear paws, monkey lips, and dragon liver to the Creator. The last course is panto.
Xiwangmu is the oldest Chinese deity and resides in the Kunlun Mountains in the far west. She grows immortal peaches on the Tree, which only ripens once every three thousand years. The Tree is the axis between Heaven and earth, and the ladder climbed by shamans and spirits.
In Chinese mythology, Xiwangmu gives birth to the peach of immortality, which is given to Wudi, the first emperor of the Han dynasty. He also encourages him not to bury the stone. It is believed that the peach of immortality blossoms once every 3,000 years. Another story tells that Xiwangmu gave the patio stone to the first Ming emperor, Hongwu. The panto stone contained engraved ideographs.
Xiwangmu and Dong Wanggong are also seen in tomb art. They are shown separated by the Milky Way and have many stories centered around them. One of the stories involves a fairy who weaves colorful clouds in the sky. Another tale consists of a cowherd who surprises the Weaver Girl while she is swimming in a lake. The cowherd then steals her clothes and forces her to marry him, angering the goddess of Heaven.
Nu Wa Nuwa
The Chinese deity Nuwa is a popular deity and is often associated with fertility and marriage. In two different origin myths, Nuwa created humanity by molding yellow earth and clay into human figures, which later became wealthy aristocrats and leaders of civilizations. Regardless of which legend you believe, Nuwa is an important deity and is often invoked for divine assistance.
Now is one of the Three Sovereigns of Chinese Mythistory. She is the Creator and protector of all things and is associated with marriage and fertility. She is also often depicted with her husband, Fuxi. She is often shown holding a carpenter’s square or a moon with a divine frog inside. Nuwa’s name and symbolism are derived from the melon and gourd, which were seen as the ancestors of humans in primitive cultures. She is also known as the Great Mother of humanity.
Nu Wa was a mighty deity who restored peace to the world. Upon completing this task, she rode up into the heavens on a chariot pulled by the dragon Yinglong. From there, she has lived in Heaven ever since. The stories of Nuwa’s life are recorded in the Huainanzi and Fengsu Tongyi.
Chinese mythology explains that no men existed when the sky and earth were separated, and Nuwa fashioned them from yellow clay. The work of Nu Wa was very taxing. Her work was challenging, involving molding yellow clay and lifting ropes. Those who could do it were prosperous, while the poor were poor and forced to work in fields to make food and water.
The story of Nuwa’s birth is also intriguing. It is said that she became lonely while walking in the woods. To help her overcome this feeling, Nuwa created clay figures of sheep, chickens, and other animals. Ultimately, she was inspired by her reflection in a river.
