The three faces of Chinese deities guarding the sacred mountain are prevalent among Chinese pagans. There are several reasons why this deity is so commonplace in China, but one of the biggest is because he protects the sacred mountain. In Chinese mythology, the guardian of the holy mountain is a powerful yet benign deity. He covers the sacred mountain from evil spirits and helps people find their way out of difficulty.
Xiaoziye
Xiaoziye is one of China’s most revered deities. He is a three-faced deity who embodies the virtue of filial piety, which is considered the highest virtue in Chinese culture. Some sources refer to him as Sanboye.
The lower of the three Chinese sacred mountains is Putuo Shan. Located five kilometers east of Zhoushan Island in Zhejiang province, this mountain has a peak of 291 meters. It is accessed via a stone staircase with a total of 1060 steps. The island is filled with mystic caves and tranquil valleys. The island also boasts golden beaches.
Legends of this ancient Chinese deity date back to the early Taoist era. In ancient Chinese history, mountains were considered sacred places that separated the heavens and earth. The mountains were also believed to be portals to the heavenly realm and abodes for magic spirits.
The Five Great Mountains are one of China’s most famous natural landmarks. They have a rich history and have been the site of imperial pilgrimage throughout the centuries. As such, the ancient Chinese believed that the sacred mountains were associated with the supreme god of heaven and the five main cosmic deities of Chinese traditional religion. Taoism and Buddhism also have a special relationship with these mountains.
Susan Gongen
The esoteric Buddhist temple, Hannya-in Ban Ruo Yuan, is located on Susan, a hill in Shizuoka prefecture. The temple was founded in the late Heian period. It was later turned into a Buddhist shrine. The shrine houses the Three-Faced Kannon, the symbol of the Three-Faced Goddess.
There are three different deities worshipped on the sacred mountain. According to the Shojin Mogadishu, Hakone Gongen is composed of three gods, the dharma substance of Manjusri, the relative importance of Maitreya, and the feminine substance of Avalokitesvara (Kannon).
The sacred mountain is a popular destination for pilgrimage. The word “pilgrimage” is derived from a Chinese expression that means “paying respect to a holy mountain.” For example, the ancient Chinese called this mountain ‘Zhao Bai Sheng Shan.’
Guanyin
Guanyin, the three-faced Chinese deity guardian-of-the-sacred-mountain, is a powerful goddess of compassion, wisdom, and luck. She is most often depicted as a beautiful, white-robed woman. Her modern appearance is derived from her traditional form, the Pandaravasini.
Guanyin is often depicted riding a dragon flanked by two children or warriors. The children represent acolytes; the warriors represent the historical general Guan Yu from the late Han dynasty and the bodhisattva Skanda. This combination of Guanyin and the bodhisattvas have essential meanings in the Buddhist tradition. They are believed to protect the temple and the faith.
Guanyin is believed to protect the sacred mountain of Lingyang. A legend says she once had a relationship with the Dragon King, Shancai. When Shancai was a child, she was able to speak with him. She even taught him how to read.
Guanyin is also portrayed in the movie Journey to the West. She plays a pivotal role in the plot of the film. In the movie, Guanyin helps the protagonists win a sweepstakes ticket. In another film, Guanyin is depicted as a presidential figure. In another version of the story, Isaac Netero, the chairman of the hunter’s association, can summon a giant statue of Guanyin, who attacks the villain with her hundred arms.
Tai Shan
The feng shui ceremony dates back to prehistoric times. It is said that 72 sovereigns practiced it at one time or another. The first recorded sacrifice was made in 110 B.C. by emperor Wu, but it only continued four times after that.
The Goddess of T’ai Shan represents the sun, moon, and earth. She is sometimes depicted holding a magical lotus flower and playing the sheng. Her role was to protect travelers during the legendary journey to the West. Her statue has many arms and eyes, and she is frequently accompanied by a girl with a bottle and a boy with a willow twig.
The T’ai Shan is an essential deity in Chinese religion. According to Taoism, the mountain protects the earth and its surrounding environment. In addition to the protection the mountain provides, it also serves as a place of pilgrimage. As such, Tai Shan is a popular tourist destination. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
A vast octagonal barrier surrounds the Tai Shan temple court. It is said that the person who climbs the mountain will live to be 100 years old.
Dragon
The dragon is a mystical creature with unlimited supernatural powers. Dragons can transform into different animal forms, from the head and horns of a camel to the body and scales of a carp. They can fly in the air, hide in the water, and change color to glow or blend in with the environment.
In addition to their mythical origins, the dragon is closely connected to heaven and often represents imperial power. In Chinese culture, the dragon is the directional symbol of the east and a guardian of the four directions. The dragon was also incorporated into Buddhist iconography. Temple names often contain the name “dragon Long.”
The dragon’s influence in Asian culture dates back thousands of years. Chinese culture is rich in dragon lore. It appears in Buddhist art, including bronze pieces from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Dragon-like images were also found in tombs during the 2nd century B.C. By the 1st century A.D., Buddhism had reached China, and dragons became an essential part of the culture.
Dragons were also used as symbols by Chinese Emperors. Ancient Chinese culture equated excellent and influential people with dragons, while inferior and ineffective people were compared to disregarded creatures. Dragons are also referenced in Chinese idioms and proverbs.
Tiger
In many cultures, the tiger is revered as a sacred animal. In one such story, a young tiger cub named Kaede was the guardian deity of the kingdom below a holy mountain. He protected the animals and plant life that lived there. Unfortunately, humans were venturing into the forest and destroying the homes of many other animals and plants. As a result, Kaede must go on a quest to stop human activity in his native land.
The early inhabitants of Asia regarded tigers as influential representatives of the natural and supernatural worlds. Tigers first appeared in Buddhist legends around AD 200. In one of the most famous stories, the Buddha sacrificed his own life to feed a hungry tiger about to devour her cubs. This demonstrated the greatest virtue of the Buddhist faith – compassion.
3-legged crow
The three faces Chinese deity guardian of the sacred mountain is the main deity associated with the holy mountain of Tai. He is the descendant of Pangu and is described in the Shenyi Jing as the highest authority in the netherworld. The Fengdu Dadi assists him. The three deities form part of the 24 Protective Deities of Chinese mythology.
