The Kitchen God and Other Deities of the Earthly Realm
In the framework of Chinese folk religion, the cosmos comprises three domains: Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. Each domain is inhabited by a multitude of significant gods and goddesses, with the Earthly Realm being particularly populous. This domain is home to everyday individuals alongside a diverse range of deities that engage with humanity in numerous manners.
THE KITCHEN DEITY AND HIS CONSORT
Among the prominent deities in the Earthly Realm is the Kitchen God (Zao Jun), often referred to as the Hearth God or Stove God. Each household is believed to have its own Kitchen God, serving as the guardian of that specific family. This deity acts as a vital mediator between the family unit and other esteemed gods within the pantheon.
The title “Stove God” highlights the essential role this deity plays in familial harmony, as the stove symbolizes family unity. In late-imperial China, a phenomenon known as “family division” could occur when two married brothers with children opted to separate into distinct families. In such cases, at least one brother would need to appoint a new Kitchen God, as two families could not share a single protector.
Typically, the Kitchen God is depicted alongside his wife, or in some instances, with two wives. Paper images of these deities would be prominently displayed above the stove. It was a common belief that annually, just before the Lunar New Year, the Kitchen God would ascend to Heaven to provide the Jade Emperor with a report on the family’s conduct throughout the year. The family symbolically “sent” their Kitchen God by incinerating the paper likeness that had adorned their stove for the past year. To ensure favorable remarks to the Jade Emperor, a dab of honey would often be applied to the paper god’s lips, ensuring he would only convey sweet news, or alternatively, to keep him silent on any negative matters.
THE EARTH DEITY
Another key figure in the Earthly Realm is the Earth God (Tudi Gong), regarded as a protective local deity and subordinate to the City God. Each village, neighborhood, and even some families had their own designated Earth God.
In contrast to major deities worshipped at village temples—like Mazu or Guan Yu—each village boasted its unique Earth God, distinctly separate from those of other villages. For instance, whereas Mazu is recognized across various temples as a singular goddess residing in Heaven, each village’s Earth God was conceived as an independent entity, intricately connected to and interacting with the human populace.
Earth Gods, akin to Kitchen Gods, are frequently depicted as couples, symbolizing their close ties to humanity in both physical presence and life experience.
THE CITY DEITY
Every significant urban center had a City God (Chenghuang Ye, meaning “Lord of the Wall and Moat”) appointed by the imperial authority. According to government regulations, each administrative seat was required to establish a temple to honor the City God. Mirroring their subordinate, the Earth God, each City God was unique, with a different guardian for every city.
The City God is commonly perceived as the divine counterpart to the local magistrate, establishing a crucial religious connection between the government and its citizens. The state actively fostered the population’s belief in the City God’s pivotal role within a divine hierarchy that paralleled the structures of imperial authority. City Gods are typically seen as the reincarnated spirits of former officials.
A noteworthy practice involved the City God changing every three years, reflecting the terms and shifts of living magistrates. Both figures influenced the same administrative precinct—the magistrate managing earthly concerns while the City God oversaw supernatural matters. Depending on interpretation, the magistrate either paid homage to the City God or worshipped him authentically, often seeking divine intervention during calamities like droughts or floods. The City God also bore the responsibility of guiding departed souls within his jurisdiction to the Underworld.
One of the most vibrant annual celebrations in both rural and urban regions of China is the City God’s “birthday,” an event that attracts vast crowds to partake in a grand procession through the designated city.
