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In the realm of Chinese mythology, Lei Gong, often referred to as Lei Shen (雷神 léi shén) or Lei Shi (雷师 léi shī), occupies the role of the God of Thunder and the executor of divine justice in Heaven. His origins trace back to the text “The Classic of Mountains and Seas: East,” which describes…
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Overview In Chinese mythology, Lei Gong (雷公) is recognized as the thunder god, wielding a powerful hammer to punish wrongdoers and engage in battle against malevolent spirits. With a daunting presence, he embodies the features of a dragon, complete with wings, claws, and a fierce visage. Alongside his hammer, Lei Gong carries a drum that…
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The Deity Doumu: A Closer Look The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is home to an exquisite portrayal of Doumu, a significant figure in Daoism dating back to approximately 1700-1800 in China’s Fujian province during the Qing dynasty. This remarkable sculpture, designated as Dehua ware, exhibits mold-impressed porcelain with intricately sculpted decorations, and is…
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Doumu: The Cosmic Matron of Balance Overview Doumu stands as a pivotal figure in Chinese mythology, known affectionately as the mother of the Big Dipper. She represents the feminine aspect of celestial forces, encapsulating the themes of compassion and love within her essence. Occasionally referred to as Xiwangmu in various texts, Doumu’s influence is woven…
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The Essence of Dou Mu Yuan Jun: Mother of the Big Dipper “Dòu mǔ yuán jūn” (斗姆元君), commonly called “Dou Mu” (斗姆), is also identified as “Zhōng tiān fàn qì dòu mǔ yuán jūn” (中天梵气斗母元君). This term combines “Dòu” referring to the Big Dipper’s stars and “Mǔ,” meaning mother, illustrating Dou Mu as the mother…
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Doumu: The Celestial Mother of the Big Dipper Overview In the realm of Chinese mythology, Doumu stands out as a central figure, often called the mother of the Big Dipper. This goddess embodies the dual concepts of love and mercy within the overarching framework of Heavenly Energy. While she does not have a plethora of…
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In the ancient Chinese cosmology, the most powerful gods are not always the most prominent figures. Before the interactions of the Jade Emperor and other known deities with the earthly realm, there existed primordial celestial beings—forces of the cosmos that transcend typical mythological figures. These heavenly deities, often depicted in anthropomorphic forms, are more accurately…
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Introduction to Doumu At the heart of Chinese mythology lies Doumu, a vital deity known as the mother of the Big Dipper. She represents the feminine aspect of Heavenly Energy, embodying compassion and love. In various Chinese traditions, she is also recognized as the goddess Xiwangmu, underscoring her significance within the cosmic hierarchy. Although specific…
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Understanding Caishen: The Chinese God of Wealth Each Spring Festival, the Chinese community warmly greets one another with the phrase “May you become rich!” (恭喜发财 gōngxǐ fācái). Many from Western cultures might interpret this as merely a casual holiday greeting akin to “Happy New Year.” However, this saying embodies a prayer for a prosperous year…
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Caishen: The Revered God of Wealth in Chinese Culture Caishen, or 财神 in Simplified Chinese, stands as a prominent deity in Chinese folklore, symbolizing the God of Wealth. His name translates phonetically to Cáishén in Pinyin, which directly means “God of Wealth” in English. This term stems from the characters “cái” (財), denoting “money” or…