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Leigong, (Lei Gong Leikung, Leishen), is the mythological Taoist and folk religion protective “Thunder God) The Chinese character Lei (雷) means “thunder.” An official of the Jade Emperor’s imperial court, Leigong was given responsibility for watching for injustices on Earth. He was ordered to punish earthly beings and wicked spirits who commit secret crimes or…
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, officials and priests. Taken out of context, it is almost impossible to specifically identify individual images but given certain features and symbols: air of solemnity and importance, static pose, officials attire with round collar, and elaborate hat, this is is probably a Taoist official. Seated on a…
This beautiful and touching antique carving of Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion is an extremely rare depiction seldom seen in carved Buddhist statues. According to the Lotus Sutra, Guanyin has 33 manifestations or forms, one of which is Songzi Guanyin or Child Giving Guanyin. This form originated in the 16th century and continued through the…
Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. This rare antique Guanyin carving depicts is gender neutral seated on a plain detachable pedestal in meditation (dhyana) with…
This delicately carved and beautiful antique document holder was probably a wedding gift as it is decorated auspicious symbols for the newly married couple. The high openwork backing in a hill-like form has two lotuses in gold extending from its side and there is another on the bottom border. The words for lotus in Chinese have…
Tudi Gong is the Chinese Earth or Land God referred to by many names and often fondly referred to by commoners as “Grandpa.” He is a syncretic deity and tutelary deity, responsible for administrating and protecting the affairs of small towns and villages, especially issues concerning agriculture or wealth, and is believed to control the…
The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is one of the most significant female Taoist-deities and one of the Great Chinese Goddesses with a huge syncretic cult following within Taoism, Popular Folk Religion and Buddhism. With immeasurable powers she controls life and creation, death and destruction and the ability to determine every living being’s lifespan….
Statues of attendants often appear as a pair looking inward and flanking a deity, unless they are very important ones and look straight ahead. They may carry a range of offerings. This antique Chinese woodcarving appears to be a Taoist image likely placed on a home altar along with deities, house gods and ancestors to…
Puppet theater has always vividly reflected Chinese society and culture and educated both the literate and illiterate public using with beautifully carved and attired puppets, music, drama,, eloquent language, costumes, and adornment. It also assumed a major role by performing religious rituals and honoring major historical characters and events. Using rods, strings, gloves and a…
Taoists were represented in art as scholars, sages, heroes, officials and priests When these images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we use the term Taoist to signify an Official, Priest or sage. Taoist priests are called a daoshi (道士 “master of the Tao”) a moniker for Taoist priests,…
Chinese wealth gods are ubiquitous and often appear and are venerated at home altasr, temples, and business establishments. Yang writes(p. 76) worship of wealth gods was one of the most common cult practices in China among all strata of society from the poor to the wealthy but especially by the merchant class. This resulted from…
Carved wood Guanyin images were enormously popular in China’s provincial regions created by local artisans who did not follow proscribed court artistic rules or iconography and integrated elements from Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Folk Religion traditions into a syncretic blend as one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). She sits on a raised lotus rising…
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