In Chinese folk beliefs, King Yama is the judge of the dead, who presides over the hell and is responsible for the life, death and transmigration of human beings. He’s said to have a book listing the length of life of every individual. When someone’s life in the mortal world has come to an end, King Yama would order fearsome guardians of hell to bring the newly dead to the hell for judgment. If the person did good things before death, they could be brought to heaven and enjoy good wealth; if they did evil things, they could be sent to the hell for punishment.
Tag: Chinese Myth Figures
Chinese Myth Figures 中国神话人物 05 Qilin 麒麟
The kylin is an animal in ancient Chinese mythology. It is somewhat like a deer, with horns on the head and scales over the body. Its tail is like that of an ox’s. The kylin is said to be an animal of longevity that could live for 2,000 years. It is also believed that the beast could spit fire and roar like thunder. The Kylin is one of the "Four Divine Creatures", the other three being the phoenix, the turtle and the dragon. In ancient times, it was regarded as a celestial animal, a benevolent animal, the mount for god and a symbol of auspiciousness. Of all animals, the kylin was ranked second only to the dragon.
Chinese Myth Figures 中国神话人物 04 God of Kitchen 灶神
The God of Kitchen (Zaoshen), commonly called "Gentleman Kitchen (Zaojun)", "Grandfather Kitchen (Zaoye)" or "King of Kitchen (Zaowangye)", is a God in charge of eating in China’s ancient mythic legend. Common people in China regard the God of Kitchen as an imp0rtant immortal and a supervisor appointed by the Emperor of Heaven to supervise virtues and vices, and contributions and debts made by the members of every family, and report to the Heaven Government periodically.
Chinese Myth Figures 中国神话人物 03 Guan Yin 观音
Kwan-yin ("Goddess of Mercy") was translated from "Avalokites’ Vara" in Sanskrit. As one of the four major Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, he is highly valued by Buddhists in China. With dignified and kind facial appearance, Kwan-yin, who holds a clean bottle with a twig of willow in his hand, is regarded to have infinite wisdom and theurgy. He was said to be infinitely merciful and apt at rescuing the human world from disasters as well as hearing and viewing tribulations in it. Therefore, he was called "Goddess of Mercy".
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