Antique Taoist Literature God on a Dragon, China (16615PBRK)

Description

Initially linked to the Big Dipper in Chinese mythology, Wen Ch’ang, (Wen Di, Kuixing k’uei) is worshipped in the 3^rd and 8^th months as the God of several spheres: literature, Books and Writing, Education, Learning and Examinations as well as being the patron saint of scholars. As one of the revered Taoist-deities, Chinese mythology hero and one of the house-gods closely associated with Confucianism, he is syncretic – a blend of many religious traditions. He is associated with the parable of a carp struggling to swim upstream who morphs into a dragon and reaches the Dragon Gate atop a waterfall, a metaphor for the rigors needed by scholars to pass imperial civil service examinations that leads to an influential post, security and wealth in the state bureaucracy. Excellence in scholarship was considered to be the main determinate of one’s rank and social status in Confucian society. Dragons, one of China’s most propitious, beautiful and friendly mythical-animals are the greatest divine creatures on earth, the ultimate symbols of the forces of Nature that bring abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.  Wen Ch’ang may also be shown holding a writing brush or rice measure with one leg kicking back, derived from the combination of Chinese characters making up his name that means “demon,” “dipper or bushel measure,” and “kick.” Temples dedicated to him are in most Chinese cities and statues of him were proudly displayed in scholars studies and desks by a wide range of literary persons including students, government officials, writers and calligraphers. He is part of the VA Spiritual-and-Inspirational Deities-and-Legends collection.