Gods And Goddesses: Cho Wang

There is a book by a man known as Derek Walters titled "An Encyclopedia Of Myth And Legend Chinese Mythology" and it has an interesting line.

Sodomy, God of see Cho Wang.

When you went to check Cho Wang within the book there is nothing. That is all the information within this book about this particular god.
Thankfully the site Godchecker brought some more light on this and apparently this god was King Zhou, the last emperor of the Shang dynasty, who because deified as the god of sodomy after death. This man is also notable for being one of the main figures in one of the most notable books from Chinese history and on Chinese mythology, Creation of the Gods by Xu Zhonglin.

The book notes that this man becomes the god of marriage, making him also the god of sodomy interesting in its own right.

Gods And Goddesses: Yama

Yama, or Yamaaraja, is the Hindu god of the dead who is said to be the first mortal who died and gained ruler of the dead due to this. Yama is one of the Guardians of the Directions, being of the south. Yama is occasionally called Dharma.

He is depicted often riding a black buffalo with green or red skin and red clothes. In one of his hands, Yama holds a rope that he uses to pull souls from a corpse. Yama notably wears a crown and has a mace.

Yama is the son of Surya and has the twin Yami, with another deity known as Shani being Yama’s brother. Yami later came to earth as the river known as Yamuna.

Yama lives in a palace called Kalichi and has attendants help him with his work. Yama keeps a register of each person’s life span in a book called “Book of Destiny” and is maintained by attendants.

Gods And Goddesses: Ehecatl

Ehecatl is the god of the winds and is an aspect of Quetzalcoatl, for this reason he is also called Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. As the god of the winds, Ehecatl is associated with all directions. As the god Tlaloc cannot carry the rain clouds, Ehecatl blows the clouds to signify the end of the dry season.

In the creation myth of the Aztec’s it tells how a fourth sun was destroyed and the gods gathered. It was the deities Nanahuatzin and Tecciztecatl who jumped into a sacrificial fire becoming the sun and moon. Ehecatl who blew on the two, causing them to start moving.

It was later that the goddess Itzpapalotl was stealing daylight and keeping it until paid with human sacrifice. While this occurred, Ehecatl came across a mortal female called Mayahuel, the granddaughter of Itzpapalotl. The two fell in love and went to earth to share it, with a tree blossoming the exact spot they landed. When Itzpapalotl arrived home to find Mayahuel was no longer there.

A search for Mayahuel began, with Ehecatl and Mayahuel disguising themselves as branches of the tree they caused to blossom. The Tzitzimime were not fooled and stuck lightning at the tree, causing Mayahuel to fall to the ground in several pieces. Ehecatl buried the remains, and from the rotting body of Mayahuel the maguey plant grew.

Gods And Goddesses: Hoori

Hoori is the god of hunting, the great-grandson of Amaterasu, the son of Ninigi and Konohanasakuya-hime and younger brother of Hoderi. Hoori is also called Fire Fade, Hohodemi, Yamasachihiko and Hikohohodemi.

Hoori once exchanged his hunting tools with his brother Hoderi, going to the sea to fish. Due to his inexperience fishing Hoori lost his brothers hook after spending a day by the seashore fishing. Hoori feared the reaction of Hoderi and asked an old man nearby for help. The old man guided Hoori, leading him to the palace under the sea.

Hoderi learnt of how Hoori lost his hook, promising not to forgive his brother until he brings back his hook. Hoori however met the daughter of Ryujin, Otohime, at the sea palace, staying with Otohime by her side for three years.

Due to waiting for so long Hoderi confronted the sea god Ryujin asking for the hook. Ryujin summoned his fish and found it. The hook was given to Hoori to guarantee that Hoderi would forgive Hoori. Hoori gave the hook back to Hoderi and despite the time it took to do so, Hoderi forgave Hoori.

Hoori eventually went on to marry Otohime and the two had a son. This caused Otohime to take on the form of a dragon.

Gods And Goddesses: Chimatano

Chimatano, also called Chimata-no-kami or simply Chimata-no, is the deity of signposts, crossroads, highways and footpaths. Chimatano is said to be responsible for anything that happens at the places he rules over. His symbol is the phallus, which is supposed to be stroked for luck.

Chimatano is said to be born when the god Izanagi took off his trousers to wash himself after returning from the land of the dead known as Yomi.

Gods And Goddesses: Tsukiyomi

Tsukiyomi is the moon god born from a tear from the right eye of creator god Izanagi. His name is also spelt Tsukuyomi. His siblings are the deities Amaterasu and Susanowo.

He once made a visit uninvited to see the goddess Uke Mochi, whom had no food to serve. When Uke Mochi had fish, forest game and a bowl of rice came out of her body Tsukiyomi was disgusted and killed the goddess. This angered Amaterasu and refused to ever look at Tsukiyomi again, leaving day and night separate.

Gods And Goddesses: Uke Mochi

Uke Mochi is the Japanese goddess of food and wife of inari. She is also called Uke-Mochi-no-kami, meaning “Goddess Who Possesses Food”.

The moon god Tsukiyomi came uninvited for a meal. Uke Mochi sadly had no food to serve. However, when she faced the ocean fish came from her mouth, when towards a forest game animals came from her body, then upon facing towards a rice paddy, Uke Mochi coughed up a bowl of rice. Disgusted, Tsukiyomi killed Uke Mochi. The corpse of Uke Mochi was still able to create food from the body, which fed the people of Japan.

Gods And Goddesses: Uzume

Uzume, also called Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto or simple Ame-no-Uzume, is the goddess of dance, joy, good health and dawn. Her brother is Ninigi and is married to Saruta-Hiko.

It was Uzume who got the sun goddess Amaterasu out of the cave with her dancing, where she exposed her breasts and played with her genitals. It was this dance that caused the other deities to laugh, causing Amaterasu to become curious and to investigate.

Uzume also accompanied Ninigi to earth when Ninigi was to be the first emperor of Japan. It was a monster that appeared when Ninigi was about to descend that caused Uzume to approach this monster bare breasted and with a laugh. Uzume asked who this monster was, the answer was Saruta-Hiko, the god who later became Uzume’s husband.

Gods And Goddesses: Dian Mu

Dian Mu is the goddess of lightning and wife to the thunder god Lei Gong. Dian Mu can distinguish good from evil with her mirrors and is the goddess of justice for this reason. She creates lightning with two large mirrors and is also known as Tian Mu. Dian Mu personally has a festival held on the sixth day of the tenth month of the lunar year.

Dian Mu was once accidently struck by Lei Gong’s thunder, and due to this strike was killed. She was made the goddess of lightning to help Lei Gong see where to throw his thunder using her two mirrors.

Gods And Goddesses: Gong Gong

Gong Gong is a water deity who is known as a demon to some. He is best known for fighting the fire god Zhu Rong, apparently to see who stronger of the two, commiting suicide against by banging his head against a pillar which held up the sky, causing great floods and even fires.

Gong Gong wanted to take the throne of Heaven, which is said to be another reason as to why he and Zhu Rong fought. The fight lasted for days in Heaven before the two fell to earth, where Gong Gong lost.

Gong Gong is said to be the descendant of the Yan Emperor and the son of Zhu Rong himself. Gong Gong is said to have caused floods, but also tried to rid them, giving mankind experience in dealing with floods. Farming productivity was heightened by Gong Gong as he invented a method of water storage.

Gods And Goddesses: Lei Gong

Lei Gong is the god of thunder whose name means “Duke of Thunder” and is also called Lei Kung and Lei Shen (meaning “Thunder God”). His appearance takes on with claws, bat wings and a blue face with a bird’s beak, and typically only wearing a loincloth. He will also not enter a house where sex is taking place; with images of sex having the same effect.
A drum and mallet is carried by Lei Gong for producing thunder and a chisel for the punishment of evildoers (who he punishes under the order of Heaven, typically those guilty of secret crimes and spirits who use knowledge of Taoism to harm humans).

He has assistances helping him, with Dian Mu being his wife that helps by sending bolts of lightning, Yun Tong makes clouds, Yu Zi sends downpours, and Feng Bo sends winds. With the goddess Dian Mu, the two had a son called Lei Zhenzi.

Originally a mortal who came across a peach tree from Heaven, to which when Lei Gong bit one of the peaches he turned into a human with bird wings. Soon after a mace and hammer was given to him so he could create thunder; this is how Lei Gong became a god.

Lei Gong once accidently struck an old woman with lightning, breaking her arm. Apologizing, Lei Gong threw down a bottle to the old woman, telling her to rub the ointment in it on her arm. Doing so healed the arm, with other villagers noticing this decided to keep the ointment for moments it is needed again. Lei Gong made the bottle so heavy no one could lift it before having the bottle fly into the air and disappear.

Gods And Goddesses: Ma Gu

Ma Gu is an immortal and considered a goddess by some, said to be the goddess of hemp and longevity. Her name means “Hemp Maid”. She appears young and beautiful, with her hair often in a bun, her fingernails long and alike to birds talons, along with being clothed in a dress with a collar made of leaves. Ma Gu is also known to carry a basket and depictions of her often show her on a crane or deer or holding peaches or wine.

Her birthday is celebrated on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month.

The temple complex in Yantai of the Shangdong Province of China is said to be the only temple dedicated to Ma Gu that survived the Cultural Revolution. Cultivation and attainment of immortality by Ma Gu is also said to be at this temple. At her temple, violence is taboo and hunting and fishing are also banned under order of this goddess. Those who violate this apparently end up drowning in the lake or becoming hopelessly lost.

Ma Gu freed slaves who worked for her father and showed how to farm reclaimed land from the sea before becoming immortal. Her husband later murdered her and dumped her body in a lake, where her body washed up where her temple stands. After death, she gained the status of fairy and became handmaiden, serving peaches of immortality.

Ma Gu is protector women and gives favour also over shamans, alchemists and mystic seekers.

Gods And Goddesses: Coatlicue

Coatlicue is the Aztec goddess of earth and fire. Known also as “mother of the Gods” and have given birth to the deities Quetzalcoatl, Xolotl, Coyolxauhqui and Huitzilopochtli. Coatlicue takes appearance with claws and two snake heads, wearing a skirt of snakes and a necklace of hands and hearts.

A patron of women who die in childbirth, Coatlicue is known by the name Teteoinan, referred to as Toci, and Cihuacoatl and is also referred to as “Mother Goddess of the Earth who gives birth to all celestial things”, “Goddess of Fire and Fertility”, Goddess of Life, Death and Rebirth” and “Mother of the Southern Stars”.

Legend also states a ball of feathers impregnated Coatlicue, resulting in the birth of Huitzilopochyli. Her husband also being Mixcoatl.

Gods And Goddesses: Raiden

Raiden, also known as Raijin, Kaminari and Narukami, is the deity of lighning, thunder and storms. His companion is a demon known as Raiju and often depicted in art with the wind god Fujin. The name ‘Raiden’ comes from the words ‘rai’ (thunder) and ‘den’ (lightning).

It is said his appearance consisting of red skin, has the claws of an eagle and the head of a demon. Raiden carries a large drum and takes to eating the navels of humans.

Raiden is also referenced across games and various other forms of entertainment.

Gods And Goddesses: Fudo

Fudo is a Japanese god who is also called Acala. He is the deity of fire, wisdom and protection, but also is the patron of astrology. Fudo is a part of the “Myoo”, or “Great Kings” and is at times referred to as Fudo Myoo.

Fudo is usually depicted as an unattractive old man who is surrounded by flames, holding a sword in his right hand and a coiled rope in his left. Depiction often leaves Fudo alone, but it is not uncommon to see Fudo depicted with two attendants, sometimes even up to right.

Living in a temple upon the summit of Mount Okiyama, Fudo is surrounded by fire and people are not allowed to see him seated there.

Gods And Goddesses: Aizen Myoo

Aizen Myoo is the deity of love (romantic sexual love in particular) and lust suppression, having the ability to turn lust into spiritual awakening. Of depicted with a ferocious appearance with hair like flames, red skin, six arms, a third eye and a lions head in his hair, Aizen Myoo is a deity who tries to benefit mankind.

Aizen Myoo’s skin was originally white but due to his compassion for living beings, tears of compassion flowed throughout his body. His skin became tinted and hence red.

Gods And Goddesses: Chalchiuhtlicue

Chalchiuhtlicue is the goddess of love, lakes, rivers, seas, streams, horizontal waters, storms, baptisms, youth and beauty and wife of the rain deity Tlaloc. Her name means “Woman/She of the Jade Skirt”, simply “Jade Skirt” or “Lady of the Precious Green”.

A patroness of women in labour, children and new-borns, protection was also given to fishermen by Chalchiuhtlicue. As an Aztec goddess one could easily assume Chalchiuhtlicue enjoys human sacrifice, but has a preference for flowers.

She came from fruit-laden prickly pear tree that was standing in a river. The previous Fourth Sun, or Fifth World, was what Chalchiuhtlicue ruled over, and was destroyed by flooding by this goddess. Fortune was on the side of some for they were transformed into fish by Chalchiuhtlicue and survived the flooding.

Gods And Goddesses: Loki

Loki is the son of Farbauti and Laufey, having two siblings, Helblindi and Byleistr. Later on in life, Loki gets pregnant himself and gave birth to the eight legged horse Sleipnir. Loki is one whom at times helps the gods, while at other times doesn’t.

A trickster god, Loki has three wives and has the ability to transform into many forms. Although he has three wives, Loki takes whatever opportunity to take advantage of any goddess he could. Loki notably is currently being punished for eternity for causing the death of Baldur, at least until Ragnarok occurs.

The three wives of Loki are Glut (who bore the daughters Einmyria and Eisa), Angrobda (who bore the wolf Fenrir, the serpent Jormungand and the goddess Hel) and Sigyn (who bore the sons Narvi and Vali).

A story of Loki often told is how he caused the death of the peace god Baldur. It was Loki whom upon learning Baldur’s weakness (mistletoe), got the blind god Hod to shoot Baldur with mistletoe, killing the god. If all earthly things mourned the death of Baldur he would be brought back to life, to the misfortune of Baldur an old hag refused to mourn his death. This old hag turned out to be Loki in disguise.

While Loki is in bonds as punishment for what he did to Baldur, his wife Sigyn collects venom that falls from a serpent. When the bowl is full it is emptied, with whatever venom that drips on Loki in the meantime causing Loki to writhe in pain and cause earthquakes. When Ragnarok comes, Loki is to slip free from his bonds and fight against the gods, where he and Heimdallr shall kill each other.

Gods And Goddesses: Bixia Yuanjin

Bixia Yuanjin is the goddess of dawn, wind, destiny and childbirth, and who has the fertility goddess Songzi Niangniang as an attendant.  Her father is the god Tai Shan Wang, whom is the ruler of the seventh court of Feng Du.  Veneration of Bixia Yuanjin takes place at the Temple of the Purple Dawn on the summit of the mountain Tai Shan.

Also known as “Princess of Clouds”, Bixia Yuanjin sends her followers messages through clouds. She is also called “Princess of the Rosy Clouds”, “Princess of the Azure Clouds”, and “Jade Woman”. As a goddess of childbirth, Bixia Yuanjun attends each person’s birth to bestow good health and fortune to the person.

Gods And Goddesses: Pan Jin Lan

Pan Jin Lian is the goddess of forication and prostitution, whom is also known as P’an Chin Lien. Highly beautiful, Pan Jin Lian married a short man known as Wu Dalang, whom the couple had moved from one residence to another to avoid gossip.

When Pan Jin Lian and Wu Dalang moved to a place called Yanggu, where Wu Dalang met his brother Wu Song (whom became famous for killing a man eating tiger with his bare hands). Wu Dalang introduced his wife to Wu Song. Pan Jin Lian became attracted to her brother in law and attempted to seduce Wu Song, but was rejected.

Wu Song took an assignment to transport gold to another country to avoid the advances of Pan Jin Lan. After the completion of the assignment, Wu Song learns his brother has died from an apparent illness. Suspicious, Wu Song had taken investigations. It was learnt through these investigations that Pan Jin Lan had an affair with a rich and lustful merchant called Ximen Qing.

Wu Song also learnt how Pan Jin Lan murdered Wu Dalang and became the fifth mistress of Ximen Qing. Taking matters into his own hands, Wu Song got a confession out of Pan Jin Lan and murdered her. Ximen Qing was later fought and killed by Wu Song.

It was through these events that Pan Jin Lan became a goddess, with her murderer not being punished due to what Pan Jin Lan had done herself.