Of the following, which is not a traditional Chinese deity treated in our te? Cang Di Cangdi, Qing Di Qingdi, Mazu, and Guan Yu. What are their respective roles?
Yinmeng Niang Niangniang
We are familiar with the traditional Chinese deity Shui-mu Niang-niang, who carries two buckets filled with water from the five great lakes. One of his pursuers, Li Lau-chuen, brought a donkey to drink from the buckets, but the donkey could not drink the entire contents.
Chinese popular religion recognizes three domains in the cosmos, each with a god. The first domain is Heaven, which is ruled by the Jade Emperor. It is populated by important gods, and people who live exemplary lives can enter Heaven after death, where they can reincarnate as gods. Each god has a clearly defined function and domain.
Pan Gu
Pan Gu, a creation deity from Chinese mythology, is often portrayed in a negative light. He was a powerful cosmic being who created the universe and used his powers to shape Earth. However, he is not a morally ambiguous deity. This makes him a much more sympathetic deity in our modern day world.
According to traditional Chinese mythology, Pan Gu is the first living being and the creator of the universe. He was believed to have emerged from an egg that contained the entire cosmos. Once the universe had been created, he separated the heavens from the earth and shaped the earth by chiseling out valleys and mountains. He was also said to know the secret of yin and yang.
In other versions, Pan Gu is seen as a symbol of a heavenly god. During his lifetime, he inhabited the earth and embodied all of the elements. The sun and moon are two of his most important attributes. As a result, his body was filled with many creatures.
Although the name Pan Gu does not sound familiar, he is revered in many areas of Chinese mythology. He is often the subject of holiday celebrations and theatre shows. He is also sometimes mentioned in pop culture. For instance, the video game Dragon of Pan Gu features a Pangu Dragon.
Mazu
Mazu is a popular deity in Taiwan. It is not a traditional Chinese deity in our te, but the Chinese believe that it will protect fishermen from harm. Mazu’s worship has a long history and is a popular attraction for tourist and religious groups. Originally, the Mazu deity was worshipped in small, local temples. Its worship was raised to a higher status by royal courts in different dynasties. Today, there are more than 5,000 temples dedicated to the goddess.
The deity Mazu is considered to be the most important goddess of the sea in China. It is at the center of many beliefs and practices in coastal areas and in communities throughout China. The myths and legends of Mazu are passed down through folk poetry and word of mouth, and they are deeply woven into the lives of coastal Chinese.
A day-long parade is held in honor of Mazu on Meizhou Island. Mazu statues are carried in palanquins, accompanied by firecrackers, pipe bands, lion dancers, and clashing cymbals. As the statues move through the streets, villagers in red rush to tuck money in them. In some villages, children wear banknote chains around their necks. The ceremony is an integral part of village life, and it changes the balance of power among local communities.
Yu Huang -ti
Traditional Chinese deities are often seen as historical personages. The spread of their cults depended on the accumulated legends of posthumous divine intervention. Some gods were local, while others had a national or even imperial cult. Those who had widespread cults were often promoted or demoted by the emperor.
Several philosophical and liturgical traditions have influenced Chinese ancestor worship. Confucianism, for example, emphasizes filial piety and ancestor worship. Geomancy, the practice of communicating with supernatural powers, and territorial cults all play a role in the belief system.
