Chinese pantheon and mythology. English literature pptx

Chinese Patheon and mythology

1. THE PANTHEONS OF CHINESE MYTHOLOGY Presented by Angel Rose T. Uy

2. PANTHEONS A pantheon refers to a collection of gods, goddesses, or deities within a specific cultural or religious context

3. CHINESE PANTHEONS The pantheon of Chinese gods and goddesses is extensive, spanning thousands of years as well as different ethnic groups and changing geographical boundaries. Some of the most enduring deities are Tian, Hou Tu, and Yan Wang.

4. HISTORY OF CHINESE MYTHOLOGY The origins of Chinese deities can be traced back to the very birth of civilization in China, a time steeped in mystery and rich with folklore. These early religious ideas were further developed during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), marking the establishment of a hierarchical heavenly court, with the Jade Emperor at its apex. Simultaneously, the philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism began to take root, contributing significantly to the structure and interpretation of the pantheon.

5. Concepts of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld In traditional Chinese cosmology, the universe is divided into three realms: Heaven (Tian), Earth (Di), and the Underworld or netherworld (Yinjian). The Jade Emperor rules Heaven, while other deities have specific domains within these realms.

6. Jade Emperor (Yù Huáng or Yù Dì) The Jade Emperor is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below, including Earth and Hell.

7. THREE REALMS OF UNIVERSE 1. Tian (天) - Deity of heaven 2. Hou Tu (后土) - Mother of the earth 3. Yan Luo Wang (阎罗王) - King of Hell

8. Tian (天) “Sky” Tian (天; “sky”) designate a powerful divine force that dictates anything and everything that happens on Earth, whether it be the weather and natural disasters, or karma and relationships between humans—interestingly, not unlike monotheistic deities. Tian is associated with the concept of sky, and therefore also Heaven.

9. TIAN CHARACTER Shang dynasty

10. TIAN CHARACTER Modern Character “天”

11. Concepts of Heaven The radical Chinese terms for the universal God are Tiān y and Shàngdì P帝 (the "Highest Deity") or simply Dì 帝("Deity"). There is also the concept of Tàidì z帝 (the "Great Deity").

12. Concepts of Heaven Tian is known by many names. Besides Shangdi and Taidi, other names include Yudi ("Jade Deity"), and Taiyi ("Great Oneness") who, in mythical imagery, holds the ladle of the Big Dipper (Great Chariot) providing the movement of life to the world. As the hub of the skies, the north celestial pole constellations are known, among various names, as Tiānmén y門("Gate of Heaven") and Tiānshū y樞 ("Pivot of Heaven").

13. Concepts of Heaven Tiāndì y帝4the "Deity of Heaven" or "Emperor of Heaven" Tiānzhǔ y 主4the "Lord of Heaven" Tiānhuáng y 皇4the "King of Heaven": In the "Poem of Fathoming Profundity" Tiāngōng y|4the "Duke of Heaven" or "General of Heaven"; Tiānjūn y君4the "Prince of Heaven" or "Lord of Heaven"

14. Concepts of Heaven Tiānzūn y尊4the "Heavenly Venerable", also a title for high gods in Taoist theologies; Tiānshén y~4the "God of Heaven", interpreted in the Shuowen Jiezi as "the being that gives birth to all things" Shénhuáng ~皇4"God the King", attested in Taihong ("The Origin of Vital Breath") Lǎotiānyé (老y爺)4the "Olden Heavenly Father"

15. Concepts of Heaven Huáng Tiān 皇y 4"Yellow Heaven" or "Shining Heaven", when it is venerated as the lord of creation; Hào Tiān 昊y4"Vast Heaven", with regard to the vastness of its vital breath (qi); Mín Tiān 旻y4"Compassionate Heaven", for it hears and corresponds with justice to the all-under-Heaven; Shàng Tiān Py4"Highest Heaven" or "First Heaven", for it is the primordial being supervising all-under-Heaven; Cāng Tiān 蒼y4"Deep-Green Heaven", for it being unfathomably deep.

16. Cosmic gods Doumu (斗母 "Mother of the Great Chariot"), often entitled with the honorific Tianhou (y后 "Queen of Heaven") Doufu (斗父 "Father of the Great Chariot"), another name of the God of Heaven. Xiwangmu (西王母 "Queen Mother of the West"), identified with the Kunlun Mountain, shamanic inspiration, death and immortality. She is the dark, chthonic goddess, pure yin, Her male counterpart is Dongwanggong (東王| "King Duke of the East";also called Mugong, 木| "Duke of the Woods"),who represents the yang principle.

17. Cosmic gods Yanwang (閻王 "Purgatory King") the ruler of the underworld, assisted by the Heibai Wuchang (黑白無常 "Black and White Impermanence") representing the alternation of yin and yang principles, alongside Ox-Head and Horse-Face, who escort spirits to his realm. Yinyanggong (陰陽| "Yinyang Duke" or Yinyangsi (陰陽司 "Yinyang Controller"), the personification of the union of yin and yang

18. Three patron 伏羲 Fúxī the patron of heaven (y皇 Tiānhuáng), also called Bāguàzǔshī ({卦祖師 "Venerable Inventor of the Bagua") by the Taoists, is a divine man reputed to have taught to humanity writing, fishing, and hunting. 女媧 Nǚwā the patron of earth (地皇 Dehuáng), is a goddess attributed for the creation of mankind and mending the order of the world when it was broken.

19. Three patron ~農 Shénnóng 4 Peasant God, the patron of humanity (人皇 Rénhuáng), identified as Yándì (炎帝 "Flame Deity" or "Fiery Deity"), a divine man said to have taught the techniques of farming, herbal medicine and marketing. He is often represented as a human with horns and other features of an ox

20. Hou Tu was first worshipped in 113 BCE by Emperor Wudi during the Han dynasty. Known for "Mother of the Land/World/Earth." Initially, Hou Tu represented sovereign earth and was associated with the dual patron deity of the soil and harvest, Sheji. Sacrifices were offered to Hou Tu under this title. Hou Tu (后土) is the spirit of the earth

21. Hou Tu’s significance evolved over time: Spirit of Humanity : At certain points and in different places, Hou Tu was revered as the spirit of humanity. National Earth God : Distinct from local deities known as Tudi Gong , Hou Tu held a role as the national earth god. Deceased Emperors and Empresses : Hou Tu was also regarded as the spirit of deceased emperors and empresses. Hou Tu (后土) is the spirit of the earth

22. Gender Transformation In the late 14th century, Hou Tu underwent an intriguing transformation and became a female deity. Modern temples now enshrine an image of a woman known as Hou Tu Nainai. Hou Tu (后土) is the spirit of the earth

23. 龍~ Lóngshén Dragon Gods, or 龍王 Lóngwáng Dragon Kings: also Sìhǎi Lóngwáng (四海龍王 "Dragon Kings of the Four Seas"), are gods of watery sources . Four Seas: the White Dragon (白龍 Báilóng), the Black Dragon (玄龍 Xuánlóng), the Red Dragon (朱龍 Zhūlóng), and the the Bluegreen Dragon (青龍 Qīnglóng). Gods of celestial and terrestrial phenomena

24. Yan Luo Wang 阎罗王 (yán luó wáng) god of Hell Yan Luo Wang is known by many names. He is a ghost-deity that resides in Di Yu (地狱 dì yù) - "Chinese Hell" - an ancient god of death, well known throughout China through myths and legends that have been passed down for thousands of years.

25. known as the King of Hell. He is a judge who presides over the spirits of the deceased and decides their fate in the afterlife. Yan Luo Wang was replaced by much less forgiving Yama called Qin Guang Wang (秦广王 qín guǎng wáng).

26. CHINESE GOD AND GODESSES Jade Emperor - The Supreme Ruler of Heaven in Chinese mythology, first emperor of China Bixia - The Chinese goddess of fertility and guardian of children and mothers Caishen - Chinese god of wealth and money, whose cudgel turns iron to gold Cangjie - Revered cultural hero credited with creating the Chinese writing system Chang’e - Chinese goddess of the moon, best known for stealing the elixir of immortality Changxi - Lunar goddess in Chinese mythology, mother of the twelve moons

27. Dianmu - Chinese goddess of lightning, married to the thunder god Lei Gong Di Jun - Ancient Chinese emperor, husband to both the sun goddess and moon goddess Doumu - Chinese goddess and cosmic deity, mother of the Big Dipper constellation The “Dragon King,” - Chinese god of all waters, weather, and dragons. Eight Immortals - Legendary Chinese heroes who fight for justice and vanquish evil.

28. Fuxi - Humanity’s original ancestor in Chinese mythology, husband of Nuwa Hou Yi - Legendary archer and Chinese hero, famous for shooting down nine suns Guanyin - Benevolent Chinese goddess of mercy, called upon in times of suffering. Lei Gong - Chinese god of thunder who punishes evildoers, both human and demon Mazu - Chinese goddess of the sea, patron of sailors, fishermen, and travelers.

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