Sanbo-Kojin
The Chinese deity of good luck and the god of hearth fire is called Kojin. He is also the protector of horses and cattle, and is often depicted in a variety of ways in art. The most common form of Kojin is Sanbo-Kojin, which means “three jewels.” He is a deity of fire and also appears in various forms, including the form of a female.
Sanbo-Kojin is carved into wood netsuke and depicts a group of travellers. While it may seem simple, the image has a much deeper meaning. According to Henri Joly, in his book, Legends in Japanese Art, Kojin possesses an esoteric meaning. According to Kojin, the travellers on horsback represent the Kitchen God, which is the terror of evildoers.
Sanbo-Kojin is also associated with the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the Buddha, the law, and the community. In addition, Kojin is associated with the ancient Indian wheel, the symbol of royalty.
Nuwa
The Chinese deity shogi is named after Nuwa, the goddess of rain. She was a mythological figure who created the physical universe after emerging from an egg. The heavens and earth separated, and the earth grew to be a lush, beautiful place, filled with rivers and tall mountains, and all sorts of creatures. During her life, Nuwa made many sacrifices to ensure that the earth would be free from disaster.
Nuwa is also known as the goddess of marriage and fertility, and is associated with the three major elements. She is often depicted with her husband, Fuxi. In ancient Chinese culture, Nuwa is believed to encourage marriage and have children. She also created mankind, and was thought to be the ancestor of all mankind.
The deity’s name first appeared in writings during the Warring States period. She was eventually paired with Fuxi, the goddess of water, and the two were viewed as a married couple. Her first mention in literature is in religious poems such as the Chuci (Songs of Chu) and Shanhaijing (The Classic of Mountains and Sea). In addition to the Chu, the Shanhaijing and Tianwen (Questions to Heaven) depict Nuwa as an independent deity.
Fuxi
Despite being a mythical figure in Chinese mythology, Fuxi’s role is not completely understood. While his origin myths date back to the Zhou dynasty, they were more widely accepted during the Han period. The myth also traces the deity’s role in the ancient Chinese divination text, the I Ching. According to legend, Fuxi is thought to have written the section containing the Eight Trigrams. This made him an important figure in traditional Chinese belief. In Chinese mythology, he is also known as the Pao Hsi or “the teacher of nature.”
Fuxi was a dutiful protector and helped mankind develop. He was instrumental in the development of fishing and writing and even taught people to make fire. He was also responsible for the bonding of man and woman in matrimony. In addition to these achievements, Fuxi is considered a cultural hero and is often portrayed in sage-like garb.
Fuxi is also credited for the domestication of animals. He believed that keeping animals around would be more beneficial than hunting them. His other contributions include writing, smelting metal, and preserving meat. He was also responsible for the invention of currency. He even helped humans exchange engagement gifts.
Shangti
The Chinese deity Shangti was the supreme god, and was considered the master of law, justice, order, and life. As a goddess, she directed the entire universe and decided who ruled over whom. She lived in a golden castle in the Kunlun Mountains and was said to bestow immortality on her followers. In addition, she was said to punish those who angered her.
Shangti was also a mother goddess. She was the daughter of the gods, Nuwa and Fuxi. She was born in the heavens and looked down on earth from her abode among the stars. After a thousand years, she died, destroying her work. In return, her father gave her permission to visit the earth, and she left her clothes along the banks of a river. Niu Lang fell in love with her and stole her clothes.
There are numerous references to the goddess in Chinese literature. Shangti is mentioned in the Classic of History, possibly the oldest and most famous Chinese narrative. Most of these references occur in the early chapters. The Book of Yu, for example, describes the exploits of the emperor Shun and his yearly sacrifices to Shangdi.
Chang’e
Chang’e is a deity from ancient China who represents longevity in all of its forms. According to legend, she is the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival. She is a beautiful woman who lived in a distant time. One day, ten suns scorched the Earth, but she shot down nine of them with an arrow. Her reward was two elixirs that grant immortality. Then, she returned to Earth, where she was allowed to keep the immortality.
Chang’e is also known as the Moon Goddess. Her name literally translates to “Chang The Beautiful,” a reference to her beauty. Her image is said to be so beautiful, in fact, that the Milky Way envies her. She appears to be young, but in human years, she’s probably in her twenties.
The Chang’e myth reveals that the deity possessed the ability to transform into various forms. She changed from a human-like toad to a rabbit, which is considered a virtuous animal, and later changed into a beautiful woman. The Moon Goddess, also known as Chang’e, is associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
Hou Yi
Hou Yi is a Chinese deity who is said to have rescued China from the plagues of the ancient times. This deity was responsible for making humans safe from the fierce beasts that tormented them for thousands of years. As a result, his sacrifice is an important part of Chinese mythology.
Hou Yi was a strong man, possessing incredible strength. His bow was made of tiger bone, and his arrows were made of dragon tendon. His name literally translates as ‘Lord Archer,’ and he appears in animal skins. In many stories, Hou Yi is portrayed as an archer, which is appropriate since his name is unique to the Yi character. Some of the older writings, however, refer to Hou Yi as simply “Yi”. Eventually, he married his wife, Chang’e, who later became the moon goddess.
Hou Yi is also a major character in Chang’e myth, and is the archer who defeated King Taikung. Some versions of the origin myth refer to him as “Tai Yang Xi Jun.” Many believe that Hou Yi is a demi-god or superhuman.
Jurojin
Jurojin is a deity that represents longevity and wisdom. He is one of the Seven Lucky Gods. He shares the same polestar with the god Fukurokuju, the god of longevity and the Southern polestar. Like Fukurokuju, Jurojin has long been present in Japanese art and religious life.
In ancient times, Jurojin was the Kami of Longevity. He is also a deity that is highly revered in China. According to legend, he was drunk at a dinner party, and drank 40 gallons of wine. However, the next day, he awoke sober, and prophesied a long, prosperous reign for the emperor.
Historically, Jurojin was associated with people from many different walks of life, including accountants, administrators, bartenders, clerks, and engineers. He is also associated with philosophers, professors, and scientists. And he is even associated with fortune-tellers.
