/home/bill/web/ #] #] ********************* #] "$d_projMin"'/Mythology/0_mythology notes.txt' # www.BillHowell.ca 24Mar2024 initial # view in text editor, using constant-width font (eg courier), tabWidth = 3 #48************************************************48 #24************************24 # Table of Contents, generate with : # $ grep "^#]" "$d_projMin"'/Mythology/0_mythology notes.txt' | sed "s|^#\]| |" # #24************************24 # Setup, ToDos, #08********08 #] ??Mar2024 #08********08 #] ??Mar2024 #08********08 #] ??Mar2024 #08********08 #] ??Mar2024 #08********08 #] ??Mar2024 #08********08 #] 24Mar2024 search "Chinese planet gods" +-----+ https://oldworldgods.com/chinese/saxing-deities/ Sanxing Deities: The Ancient Chinese Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity Sanxing deities, also known as the gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, hold significant importance in Chinese astrology and mythology. Fu represents the planet Jupiter and is associated with auspiciousness. Lu symbolizes prosperity, rank, and influence, often linked with the star Mizar. Shou controls mortal lifespans through the star Canopus. These ancient deities are widely recognized in Chinese culture, with their statues found in temples, family altars, and Chinese stores during the Chinese New Year. Their visual representations and attributes carry deep symbolism. Additionally, Sanxing deities sometimes become confused with other deities in Chinese religion and Taoism. +--+ Fu Xing: The Personification of Júpiter in Chinese Astrology Fu Xing represents Júpiter, one of the most auspicious planets in Chinese astrology. Fu Xing is believed to have a direct influence on an individual’s luck, bringing good fortune and positive alignments in various aspects of life. In astrology, the presence of Fu Xing is considered highly favorable and implies a positive destiny for the person. +--+ Luxing: The Symbol of Prosperity, Rank, and Influence Luxing, also known as the Star Mizar, is closely associated with Lu, representing the embodiment of prosperity in Chinese mythology. This star, shining brightly in the night sky, symbolizes the potential for wealth and a thriving social position. +--+ Shouxing: The Significance of Canopus in Chinese Mythology Shouxing is closely associated with the star Canopus, believed to control the lifespan of mortals. In Chinese mythology, Canopus holds great significance, symbolizing the pursuit of immortality and everlasting youth. The presence of Shouxing ensures a harmonious and prosperous life, inspiring reverence and devotion from believers seeking longevity. #08********08 #] 22Mar2024 Nezha Reborn - China (saw before, watch again 22Mar2024 because of ?Jiang? New Gods DVD) https://www.netflix.com/watch/81418302 main character Li Yunxiang 49:36 Nezha needs his Astras : Sky Ribbon and Cosmic Ring +--+ https://mythopedia.com/topics/nezha In Chinese mythology, Nezha (哪吒) is a precocious teenage deity who serves as a patron saint of young adults. After gestating in his mother’s womb for three years and six months, Nezha was born with superhuman strength and the ability to speak. His Chinese myth is based off of the Hindu god, Nalakuvara. Mythology According to the Fengshen Yanyi, a historical text known as The Creation of The Gods, Nezha was born during the Shang Dynasty to a military commander and his wife. To say that Nezha had a complicated relationship with his parents would be an understatement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investiture_of_the_Gods The Investiture of the Gods, also known by its Chinese names Fengshen Yanyi (Chinese: 封神演義; pinyin: Fēngshén Yǎnyì; Wade–Giles: Fêng1-shên2 Yan3-yi4; Jyutping: Fung1 San4 Jin2 Ji6) and Fengshen Bang (封神榜),[note 1] is a 16th-century Chinese novel and one of the major vernacular Chinese works in the gods and demons (shenmo) genre written during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).[2] Consisting of 100 chapters, it was first published in book form between 1567 and 1619.[2] Another source claims it was published in a finalized edition in 1605.[3] The work combines elements of history, folklore, mythology, legends and fantasy.[4] The story is set in the era of the decline of the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC) and the rise of the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). It intertwines numerous elements of Chinese mythology, Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, including deities, demons, immortals and spirits. The authorship is attributed to Xu Zhonglin. Cosmology Further information: Category:Locations in Chinese mythology and Chinese mythological geography Bronze mirror with cosmological decoration from the Belitung shipwreck, including Bagua. Various ideas about the nature of the earth, the universe, and their relationship to each other have historically existed as either a background or a focus of mythologies. One typical view is of a square earth separated from a round sky by sky pillars (mountains, trees, or undefined). Above the sky is the realm of Heaven, often viewed of as a vast area, with many inhabitants. Often the heavenly inhabitants are thought to be of an "as above so below" nature, their lives and social arrangements being parallel to those on earth, with a hierarchical government run by a supreme emperor, many palaces and lesser dwellings, a vast bureaucracy of many functions, clerks, guards, and servants. Below was a vast under ground land, also known as Diyu, Yellow Springs, Hell, and other terms. As time progressed, the idea of an underground land in which the souls of the departed were punished for their misdeeds during life became explicit, related to developments in Daoism and Buddhism. The underground world also came to be conceived of as inhabited by a vast bureaucracy, with kings, judges, torturers, conductors of souls, minor bureaucrats, recording secretaries, similar to the structure of society in the Middle Kingdom (earthly China). Heavenly realm (Howell : see below sun, stars, moon, planets, Milky Way (sometimes referred to as the River of Heaven), clouds, and other features) Further information: Chinese constellations The Heavenly realm is described by the Chinese word "Tian," which can be translated into English as both "Heaven" and "sky." Sometimes this was personified into a deity (sky god). In some descriptions, this was an elaborate place ruled over by a supreme deity, or a group of supreme deities. Jade Emperor being associated with Daoism and Buddhas with Buddhism. Many astronomically observable features were subjects of mythology or the mythological locations and settings for mythic scenes. These include the sun, stars, moon, planets, Milky Way (sometimes referred to as the River of Heaven), clouds, and other features. These were often the home or destination of various deities, divinities, shamans, and many more. Another concept of the Heavenly realm is that of the Cords of the Sky. Travel between Heaven and Earth was usually described as achieved by flying or climbing. The Queqiao (鵲橋; Quèqiáo) was a bridge formed by birds flying across the Milky Way, as seen in The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl mythology surrounding the Qixi Festival. The hazy band of stars of the Milky Way was referred to as the "Silvery River" or the "River of Heaven". Astronomical deities Various goddesses, gods, or spirits are especially associated with certain astronomical objects. Sun (and Suns) Various mythology involves the sun. One solar deity is Xihe, goddess of the sun. There is a myth of Kua Fu, a giant who followed the sun, during the course of his chase he drained all of the waters dry including the Yellow River, and after he died of thirst was transformed into a mountain range or a forest. Known as sānzúwū are three-legged raven or ravens associated with the sun, or the ten suns, of which Houyi shot down nine. Sometimes mythology portrays there being more than one sun. Houyi and the Ten Suns It was said that there were ten suns, each one taking a turn on its allotted day to cross the sky (this has been thought evidence of a ten-day week used at one time). There is a mythological account of how at one on a certain morning ten suns all rose into the sky together. The oppressive heat lead to drought, the plants began to wither, and humans and animals were all on the verge of death. A mighty archer Yi, or Houyi, shot down all but one of them, saving humanity. Moon Chang'e (or in older versions Chang'O) is goddess of the moon. Another lunar deity is Changxi, probably an older version of Chang'e with the name changed due to a naming taboo. Chang'e is modern. Chang'e In mythology it was said that Chang'e had been married to the heroic archer Houyi, but one day she swallowed a Pill of Immortality and floated up to the moon. Now it is said Chang'e lives in a cold crystal palace on the moon. Every year during a full moon toward harvest time, Chang'e is worshiped. This is the Mid-Autumn Festival, families gather under the moonlight and celebrate in honour of the moon. Although somewhat lonely, Chang'e is not alone on the moon. Wu Gang and the Magic Tree A magical tree grows on the moon. It is possibly an osmanthus tree (Osmanthus fragrans), some type of laurel (Lauraceae), such as a cassia such as (Cinnamomum cassia), but more likely a unique specimen of a magical tree. Every month the xian Wu Gang cuts away at the tree, chopping it smaller and smaller. Then, just when he just has it chopped completely down, it magically grows back. Once it has grown back Wu Gang returns to his chopping, in an endless monthly cycle. Rabbit in the Moon An alchemical hare or rabbit lives on the moon. The lunar rabbit can be seen when the moon is full, busy with mortar and pestle, preparing the Elixir of Immortality. Three-legged toad (See Liu Haichan for Chinese characters) A three-legged toad lives on the moon. During full moons the three-legged Golden Toad Jin Chan frequents near houses or businesses that will soon receive good news generally in the form of wealth. Also known as a Money Toad, statuettes of this toad are used as a charm in Fengshui. The mythology of the Immortal Liu Haichan (who seems to be a form of Caishen/Zhao Gong, God of Wealth) is associated with this tripedal toad. +--+ https://www.localiiz.com/post/chinese-mythology-101-sanxing Fuxing: The Chinese Jupiter While Fuxing (福星; fuk1 sing1; “the star of fortune”) is a personification of Jupiter, the tales surrounding the figure significantly differ from its Roman counterpart. In a Taoist myth that was popularised during the Ming dynasty, Fuk was a Tang governor named Yang Cheng (陽城; joeng4 sing4). His region of jurisdiction was Daozhou (the present-day West Dao county in the Hunan province of mainland China), which historically had a high percentage of dwarfism among its population. +--+ https://owlcation.com/humanities/chinese-mythological-gods-characters Doumu Niangniang (斗母娘娘): The mother goddess of the stars; for example, the Big Dipper Stars and Polaris. Her appearance in temples also resembles that of Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation. She is usually shown with four faces and with multiple arms each wielding a holy artifact. Pangu (盘古): Born from a cosmic egg, Pangu was the Chinese mythical creator of the world and the very first living being in the universe. Using his magical ax, he separated Yang and Yin, and pushed the sky till it was high above the earth. After his passing, different parts of his body became natural elements such as the wind and the stars. Xihe (羲和): An ancient Chinese Goddess of the Sun and one of the two wives of Di Jun. She is said to be the mother of the ten suns that scorched Ancient China. Tai Sui (太岁): Tai Sui refers to Chinese gods presiding over the years. The Chinese lunisolar calendar is based on cycles of 60 years, with the system derived from the solar orbit of Jupiter. Under Chinese folkloric beliefs, each lunisolar year is governed by one Tai Sui too. Those with Chinese zodiac signs opposing the reigning Tai Sui must perform a worship ritual at the start of a new year to avoid misfortune. E. Journey to the West (西游记) Arguably the most famous classic Chinese fantasy saga, Journey to the West was written by Ming Dynasty writer Wu Cheng’en in the 16th century. The saga is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Baigu Jing (白骨精): The White Bone Demoness is one of the most famous villains of Journey to the West, notorious for her repeated attempts to bewitch Tang Sanzang. She was ultimately pounded to death by Sun Wukong’s golden cudgel. Hong Haier (红孩儿): The immensely powerful son of Niu Mo Wang was born with the ability to manipulate all forms of fire. He was so mighty that even the great Sun Wukong wasn’t a match for this brat and had to enlist the help of Guan Yin. After Guan Yin subdued him with a rigged lotus, the demon child was transfigured into Shan Cai Tongzi, the Buddhist Child Propagator of Wealth. Niu Mo Wang (牛魔王): Niu Mo Wang, or Ox Demon King, is but one of the many demons vanquished by Sun Wukong in Journey to the West. He is, however, widely remembered as one of Sun’s sworn brothers. His wife and son also famously battled the Monkey King. Sun Wukong (孙悟空): The world-famous protagonist of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong the Monkey King was born from a magical rock. Mischievous, fiercely loyal, and very quick-tempered, Sun repeatedly battled the Taoist pantheon, and after defeat, was imprisoned by Gautama Buddha in a magical mountain. As further atonement for his sins, the Monkey King was later also ordered to protect Tang Sanzang during the holy monk’s pilgrimage to the birthplace of Buddhism. Upon completion of the pilgrimage, Sun Wukong achieved Buddhist enlightenment and was conferred the title of Dou Zan Sheng Fo (斗战胜佛, Buddha of Combat). Today, Sun Wukong remains one of the most beloved characters in Chinese mythology. Tang Sanzang (唐三藏): More famously known as Tripitaka in the Non-Chinese World, Tang Sanzang was based on Xuan Zang, a real-life Tang Dynasty Monk who went on a pilgrimage to India to collect Buddhist sutras. In Journey to the West, he was Sun Wukong’s second master. Author Wu Cheng’en consistently depicted Sanzang as naïve, hapless, and excessively benevolent. Tieshan Gongzhu (铁扇公主): The Princess of the Iron Fan was the wife of Niu Mo Wang. She came into conflict with Sun Wukong after she refused to loan her eponymous treasure to Sun to extinguish the Flaming Mountains. Zhu Bajie (猪八戒): The comic relief of the saga, pig-faced Bajie was greedy, lascivious, lazy, and terribly jealous of Sun Wukong. Formerly a heavenly marshal, he was cursed with his awful form as punishment for lusting after Chang’e. In Arthur Waley’s translation, Bajie was renamed as Pigsy. >> Howell: looks interesting : G. The Four Folktales (四大民间传说) The Four Folktales are oral traditions that are widely known in Chinese communities. They are: The Butterfly Lovers (梁山伯与祝英台 | Liang Shanbo Yu Zhu Yingtai) The Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传 | Baishe Zhuan) Lady Meng Jiang (孟姜女 | Meng Jiang Nü) The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎织女 | Niulang Zhinu) J. Other Chinese Mythological Gods and Goddesses From Popular Folktales, Legends, Etc. Ao Guang (敖广): The Dragon King of the Eastern Ocean. He often appears as a semi-antagonist in Chinese folktales and fantasy sagas, most famously in Investiture of the Gods. The 2021 Chinese animated film New Gods: Nezha Reborn reimagines him as the powerful leader of a subdued dragon tribe. # enddoc