The Queen Mother of the West, or Xi Wang Mu, has the title of Yaochi Jinmu (Golden Mother of the Shining Lake). She is also referred simply as Queen Mother. Xi Wang Mu is the goddess of life and immortality. Many women have looked up the Xi Wang Mu, whom this goddess will protect female believers. Xi Wang Mu is the wife of the Jade Emperor.
The third day of the third lunar month and the eighteenth day of the seventh lunar month, Xi Wang Mu’s birthday is celebrated.
Often depicted holding court within the palace she resides, where it is believed she grows an orchid of peaches of immortality that ripens every three thousand years. Xi Wang Mu is also known for serving guests these peaches of immortality and wearing a headdress in which these peaches of immortality suspend from it.
A being known as Tetsakumi once imprisoned Xi Wang Mu in hopes of gaining a peach of immortality. Xi Wang Mu was able to get a message to the ruler of Heaven, Jade Emperor, who gave the god of fire, Zhu Rong, the title of Heavenly Executioner and the job of dealing with Tetsakumi. Zhu Rong defeated Tetsakumi eventually, gaining a mortal wound. Xi Wang Mu was saved by Zhu Rong and left unable to save Zhu Rong with a peach of immortality.
Xi Wang Mu is thought of having met many famous Chinese figures. Xi Wang Mu is said to have taught Yu The Great, met King Mu of the Zhou Dynasty and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Houyi quested for immortality after he and his wife Chang E lost it, getting given a pill of immortality from Xi Wang Mu. Chan Chu stole the Elixir of Immortality from Xi Wang Mu and got punished by being turned into a three legged frog. Xi Wang Mu unintentionally offended the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, by not inviting him to a banquet, leading to Sun Wukong getting drunk.
Showing posts with label Chan Chu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chan Chu. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Liu Hai
Liu Hai is the god of wealth and prosperity who is depicted sitting upon a large three-legged toad known as Chan Chu. He was a minister and alchemist during the tenth century, becoming friends with Chan Chu so associated with.
Liu Hai is one who is often seen with the three-legged toad Chan Chu, and when the toad is not to be seen Liu Hai would use a string of coins to bait Chan Chu back. Liu Hai is said to even go to the local pond and fish the toad out with a coin tied to a string,
Story states that the two met due to Chan Chu causing havoc in the country side and Liu Hai used his sword to stop Chan Chu. The very toad lost his leg and gave servitude to Liu Hai, the two because inseparable.
Statues of Liu Hai sitting on the three-legged toad Chan Chu is commonly used in Feng Shui. Placement of statues would be in the living room and near the entrance door.
Liu Hai is one who is often seen with the three-legged toad Chan Chu, and when the toad is not to be seen Liu Hai would use a string of coins to bait Chan Chu back. Liu Hai is said to even go to the local pond and fish the toad out with a coin tied to a string,
Story states that the two met due to Chan Chu causing havoc in the country side and Liu Hai used his sword to stop Chan Chu. The very toad lost his leg and gave servitude to Liu Hai, the two because inseparable.
Statues of Liu Hai sitting on the three-legged toad Chan Chu is commonly used in Feng Shui. Placement of statues would be in the living room and near the entrance door.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Chang E
Chang E, also known as Chang O and originally as Heng E and/or Heng O but changed to what it is now due to a naming taboo against speaking or writing the names of exalted people in China. Chang E is the moon goddess who is said to live on the moon and whom the spacecraft Chang’e 1 was named after.
While Chang E represents the moon, her husband Houyi, or simply Yi, represents the sun. Chan Chu, also known as the Three-Legged Frog/Toad, represents Chang E and is said to live on the moon alongside with a rabbit that is a companion of Chang E. This rabbit, also known as the ‘Jade Rabbit’, is said to be constantly pounding a Elixir of Immortality for Chang E.
Worship of Chang E is most frequent around the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival considered the day of Chang E’s birthday. During the Mid-Autumn Festival alters are set up to Chang E with incense being burnt as an offering. It is also common to offer fruits, flowers and mooncake.
These alters that are set up tend to be facing the moon with items such as lotions, bath salts and make up are placed on the alter to Chang E. These beauty items are for Chang E herself to bless as it is said worshippers of Chang E will be endowed with great beauty.
Chang E also is mentioned in Journey to the West where it is explained that the greedy Zhu Bajie, while as commander of 80,000 heavenly warriors, got drunk at a party. Chang E was seen by Zhu Bajie who was captivated by the beauty of this goddess and tried to make advances on Chang E. These advances failed and Chang E reported Zhu Bajie’s behaviour to the Jade Emperor and it is said that since then Chang E has been reluctant to go to Heaven.
There are a couple legends involving Chang E that involve her husband Houyi. One legend starts with Chang E and Houyi living as immortals in Heaven. The ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor, had ten sons who decided to transform into suns that caused a scorching of the earth. The Jade Emperor ordered his sons to stop ruining the earth and failed, so Houyi was asked to help.
Houyi used his archery skills to shoot down nine of the Jade Emperor’s sons, leaving one son to be sun. The Jade Emperor wasn’t pleased by this as nine of his sons were now dead so as punishment both Houyi and his wife, Chang E, was banished to earth to live as mortals.
Chang E was miserable over her lose of immortality so Houyi decided to quest for immortality both Chang E and himself. Houyi eventually got given a pill that would make people immortal by a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West, this pill also could be broken in half and make two people immortal.
Houyi took the pill home where it was stored in a case, warning Chang E not to open the case before leaving home. Chang E out of severe curiosity checked the case and found the pill as Houyi got back home, fear that Houyi would catch her with the case caused Chang E to accidentally swallow the pill. Chang E started to float to the sky and continued to float until she landed on the moon where she had company of the jade rabbit and Chan Chu.
The other legend of Chang E tells how she lived in Heaven and one day accidentally broke a precious jar. Punishment was banishment to earth and was allowed to come back to Heaven if she contributed a valuable service on earth.
Chang E on earth was transformed into a girl of a rich farming family. Chang E grew into a young beautiful woman and was spotted by a hunter from another village, Houyi, whom Chang E became friends with.
Eventually a strange event of ten suns coming into the sky rather than one, bringing the earth to an unbearable heat. Houyi with his bow and arrows shot down nine of these suns and became a hero ad eventually a king, marrying Chang E.
Houyi as a king turned both greedy and selfish, turning his sights onto immortality and ordered an elixir for the purpose of prolonging his life to be created. This elixir came in a form of a pill that Chang E came across that she either accidentally or purposely swallowed. Houyi was angered by this so Chang E fled, jumping out of a window of a chamber at the top of the palace she lived within. Upon jumping out the window Chang E floated to the moon instead of falling to her death. Later, Houyi ascended to the sun where he built a palace.
While Chang E represents the moon, her husband Houyi, or simply Yi, represents the sun. Chan Chu, also known as the Three-Legged Frog/Toad, represents Chang E and is said to live on the moon alongside with a rabbit that is a companion of Chang E. This rabbit, also known as the ‘Jade Rabbit’, is said to be constantly pounding a Elixir of Immortality for Chang E.
Worship of Chang E is most frequent around the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival considered the day of Chang E’s birthday. During the Mid-Autumn Festival alters are set up to Chang E with incense being burnt as an offering. It is also common to offer fruits, flowers and mooncake.
These alters that are set up tend to be facing the moon with items such as lotions, bath salts and make up are placed on the alter to Chang E. These beauty items are for Chang E herself to bless as it is said worshippers of Chang E will be endowed with great beauty.
Chang E also is mentioned in Journey to the West where it is explained that the greedy Zhu Bajie, while as commander of 80,000 heavenly warriors, got drunk at a party. Chang E was seen by Zhu Bajie who was captivated by the beauty of this goddess and tried to make advances on Chang E. These advances failed and Chang E reported Zhu Bajie’s behaviour to the Jade Emperor and it is said that since then Chang E has been reluctant to go to Heaven.
There are a couple legends involving Chang E that involve her husband Houyi. One legend starts with Chang E and Houyi living as immortals in Heaven. The ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor, had ten sons who decided to transform into suns that caused a scorching of the earth. The Jade Emperor ordered his sons to stop ruining the earth and failed, so Houyi was asked to help.
Houyi used his archery skills to shoot down nine of the Jade Emperor’s sons, leaving one son to be sun. The Jade Emperor wasn’t pleased by this as nine of his sons were now dead so as punishment both Houyi and his wife, Chang E, was banished to earth to live as mortals.
Chang E was miserable over her lose of immortality so Houyi decided to quest for immortality both Chang E and himself. Houyi eventually got given a pill that would make people immortal by a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West, this pill also could be broken in half and make two people immortal.
Houyi took the pill home where it was stored in a case, warning Chang E not to open the case before leaving home. Chang E out of severe curiosity checked the case and found the pill as Houyi got back home, fear that Houyi would catch her with the case caused Chang E to accidentally swallow the pill. Chang E started to float to the sky and continued to float until she landed on the moon where she had company of the jade rabbit and Chan Chu.
The other legend of Chang E tells how she lived in Heaven and one day accidentally broke a precious jar. Punishment was banishment to earth and was allowed to come back to Heaven if she contributed a valuable service on earth.
Chang E on earth was transformed into a girl of a rich farming family. Chang E grew into a young beautiful woman and was spotted by a hunter from another village, Houyi, whom Chang E became friends with.
Eventually a strange event of ten suns coming into the sky rather than one, bringing the earth to an unbearable heat. Houyi with his bow and arrows shot down nine of these suns and became a hero ad eventually a king, marrying Chang E.
Houyi as a king turned both greedy and selfish, turning his sights onto immortality and ordered an elixir for the purpose of prolonging his life to be created. This elixir came in a form of a pill that Chang E came across that she either accidentally or purposely swallowed. Houyi was angered by this so Chang E fled, jumping out of a window of a chamber at the top of the palace she lived within. Upon jumping out the window Chang E floated to the moon instead of falling to her death. Later, Houyi ascended to the sun where he built a palace.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Chan Chu
Chan Chu, also known as the Lucky Money Toad, Three-Legged Money Frog, Three-Legged Frog, King Money Frog and simply as Money Frog/Toad. Easily recognisable by the fact she is a frog or toad with three legs, often seen with a coin in her mouth and it is common to see Chan Chu on top of either a pile of coins, ingots or a mirror used in Feng Shui, the bagua. Not only that, Chan Chu has flared nostrils and red eyes which show a frightening look.
The coin itself that Chan Chu holds in his mouth is a I Ching coin which have been used as amulets to ward off evil and disease, but also for good luck. The bagua which Chan Chu is commonly seen sitting on is for the encouragement of the flow a lovely thing called chi. The ingots Chan Chu is also seen sitting on is of a simple boat shape which symbolizes abundance and an easy life.
Chan Chu is also known to have a lovely symbol on its back, the pa kua, symbolizing protection. Not only that, frogs symbolizes wealth and with a protection symbol on its back, Chan Chu is said to help bring in money and protect it as well. Chan Chu is also said to help get rid of bad luck.
In Feng Shui, Chan Chu would be placed in the living room of a house or the main room of a business, specifically at the corner diagonally opposite of the entrance door as it is said corners are where chi concentrates and chi flow will be helped with this. This is said to be the best placement for Chan Chu.
Another thing done in Feng Shui being Chan Chu placed facing out the entrance door during the day and facing inwards of the house in the late afternoon and night. This symbolizes Chan Chu going out during the day to fetch money and later coming back with it.
Two of these frogs may also be bought and placed by a front door, one placing inwards of the house and the other facing outwards. The one facing inside brings in money while the other collects the money.
Some people will even buy nine Chan Chu’s as it is said nine is the ideal number, with these frogs placed randomly all over the living room, all facing in different directions.
Symbolically, Chan Chu represents the moon goddess, Chang E, and is even said to live on the moon. The reason for Chan Chu living on the moon comes from the legend that originally Chan Chu was the wife of one of the Eight Immortals and a greedy person herself. It is said that Chan Chu stole the Elixir of Immortality from a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West. She was punished by being turned into a three legged from and sent to the moon.
Lui Hai, one of the Eight Immortals, is also said to have known of Chan Chu’s like for money and use a red line tied with gold coins to lure Chan Chu out from hiding. It is for this that frogs with coins symbolize the soon coming of wealth.
The coin itself that Chan Chu holds in his mouth is a I Ching coin which have been used as amulets to ward off evil and disease, but also for good luck. The bagua which Chan Chu is commonly seen sitting on is for the encouragement of the flow a lovely thing called chi. The ingots Chan Chu is also seen sitting on is of a simple boat shape which symbolizes abundance and an easy life.
Chan Chu is also known to have a lovely symbol on its back, the pa kua, symbolizing protection. Not only that, frogs symbolizes wealth and with a protection symbol on its back, Chan Chu is said to help bring in money and protect it as well. Chan Chu is also said to help get rid of bad luck.
In Feng Shui, Chan Chu would be placed in the living room of a house or the main room of a business, specifically at the corner diagonally opposite of the entrance door as it is said corners are where chi concentrates and chi flow will be helped with this. This is said to be the best placement for Chan Chu.
Another thing done in Feng Shui being Chan Chu placed facing out the entrance door during the day and facing inwards of the house in the late afternoon and night. This symbolizes Chan Chu going out during the day to fetch money and later coming back with it.
Two of these frogs may also be bought and placed by a front door, one placing inwards of the house and the other facing outwards. The one facing inside brings in money while the other collects the money.
Some people will even buy nine Chan Chu’s as it is said nine is the ideal number, with these frogs placed randomly all over the living room, all facing in different directions.
Symbolically, Chan Chu represents the moon goddess, Chang E, and is even said to live on the moon. The reason for Chan Chu living on the moon comes from the legend that originally Chan Chu was the wife of one of the Eight Immortals and a greedy person herself. It is said that Chan Chu stole the Elixir of Immortality from a goddess known as Queen Mother of the West. She was punished by being turned into a three legged from and sent to the moon.
Lui Hai, one of the Eight Immortals, is also said to have known of Chan Chu’s like for money and use a red line tied with gold coins to lure Chan Chu out from hiding. It is for this that frogs with coins symbolize the soon coming of wealth.
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