Chinese legal deities have been a part of Chinese culture for centuries. Each one represents a specific aspect of life. For example, Tudi is the guardian of rural countryside and wild places, while Sheji protects cultivated land. Similarly, each of these deities has its unique characteristics and beliefs.
Penzu
The Chinese legal deity Pengzu was believed to live up to 800 years. He is often depicted surrounded by children and burning incense. He represents the quest for immortality. He is also known as the Soul of the Universe. The pursuit of immortality is closely associated with Daoist beliefs.
Peng Zu is an important figure in Chinese mythology and is considered a saint in Taoism. His life experiences influenced the pursuit of the elixir of life, and he continues to be a meaningful symbol of longevity. Besides being a god of longevity, he is also a symbol of nutrition and sex therapy. According to legend, Peng Zu had dozens of wives and fathered hundreds of children. One of his life-extending techniques is the vitality absorb skill, which purportedly involves extracting the male energy from a female body. Peng Zu was also said to have eaten medical cuisine daily.
Li tie guai
The Chinese legal deity Li Tieguai, or Li with the Iron Crutch, is a god of immortality. He is worshipped as one of the Eight Immortals in Taoism. His powers include leaving his body and traveling across the world. Legend says he once returned from a spiritual journey and became a disabled beggar. Due to this appearance, Li Tieguai is often depicted as a beggar or clown.
The story of Li Tieguai is an ancient one that began in the sixth century BC. In his legend, he was apprenticed to the sage Laozi. He is also characterized by a Calabash bottle in which he carries a sage’s hun (Soul).
Mianran Dashi
The Chinese legal deity Mianran Dashi is the embodiment of the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. She is a highly revered deity and is often depicted in paintings. Although she is a deity, she is not the supreme god. She reports to the Court of Heaven, the highest authority in Chinese beliefs.
Sheng Ren
The Chinese legal deity, Sheng Ren, has many attributes similar to the western saints. In Chinese mythology, he is one of the Three Sovereigns and is the god of agriculture and medicine. He is also the guardian of the immortal peach trees. In the novel Journey to the West, he is the nephew of the Jade Emperor. Some believe that he was based on a historical figure, Li Erlang Li Er Lang, who was an engineer in the Warring States period. He is credited with developing irrigation in Sichuan.
Sheng Ren is associated with four acolytes:
- A servant
- A Celestial Deaf man
- An Earthly Dumb man
- A fat dwarf with a demon face
This god is a good luck charm and brings good luck during examinations.
The Chinese legal deity is also associated with children. Sheng Ren was the protector of travelers on the Journey to the West and is often depicted with children. Her statues often have many arms and eyes. Her image is also associated with long fingernails, which is why she is the patron of musicians.
A separate deity from Sheng Ren is Lei Zhenzi. This deity represents thunder and has three eyes, one of which is on her forehead. She rides a black unicorn, which can cover considerable distances in a short time. She is also associated with rain. As such, she is a favorite deity of farmers, grain merchants, and innkeepers.
