Syncretism, the creation of new ideas and traditions by fusing elements from multiple and distinct sources, generally applies to religion, cultures and schools of thought. By their nature, Asian religious traditions and philosophies particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and other minor religions are syncretic (blended) as they are inherently integrative and inclusive absorbing tenets of other religions. In China this concept is exemplified at the highest level with the four traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Popular Religion blending so harmoniously and seamlessly that many scholars view them as components of one dynamic religious system with each one providing a significant and complementary role. As Edmond Eh states, Daoism reflects the Dao (道), “natural creative power,” Confucianism reflects de (德), “virtue” or “power” and Buddhism reflects wu (悟), “awakening” or “realization.” The three together along with folk beliefs are absorbed in Popular Religion. This syncretic blending is exemplified in the placement of images of all traditions on home shrines, shared celebrations and festivals and the use of Buddhist monks and Taoist priests simultaneously for rituals and ceremonies. Guanyin is an excellent example of a syncretic deity.
Sources:
Edmond Eh, “Chinese Religious Syncretism in Macau”, Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2:63-80 (2017)
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The Queen Mother of the West is one of the most significant of the female Taoist-deities and as a syncretic deity, has a huge Popular Religion and Buddhist cult following. She is one of the Great Chinese Goddesses and patron deity of women who controls life and death, creation and destruction and determines the life…
The syncretic Queen Mother of the West is revered as one of the most significant of the female Taoist-deities with a large Buddhist and Popular Religion following. She was the first female deity represented in Chinese art. Her immeasurable powers include her complete control over life and creation as well as death and destruction. She…
Lohans are the only enlightened Buddhist beings that were allowed to be portrayed realistically rather than as idealized representations. This beautifully crafted antique and very rare large image looks like a portrait of a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features. His eyebrows curve above a wide triangular nose with well pronounced cheekbones,…
Guanyin means “she who observes the sounds or cries of the world” and in Sanskrit she is named Padmapani or “born of the lotus.” She is one of the Three Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). During the Late Ming and Qing Dynasties in rural provincial regions and especially Southern China, Guanyin became a syncretic cult figure…
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the cult of Songzi (“Child Giving”) Guanyin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion, became one of the most popular religious movements especially among Popular Religion and Taoist female and male devotees. It reached all Chinese regions and social strata and included the upper classes, court figures and the literati as…
Tudi Gong is one of the Chinese Earth-Gods referred to by many names including the Land God or Village God and often fondly referred to as “Grandpa.” He is a syncretic deity defined by the blend of Taoism, Buddhism, Popular Religion and Confucian traditions, and as a tutelary deity is responsible for administrating and protecting…
Initially linked to the Big Dipper in Chinese mythology, Wen Chang is worshipped in the 3rd and 8th months as the God of several spheres: Literature, Books and Writing, Education, Learning and Examinations and is the patron saint of scholars. As one of the revered Taoist-deities, hero and one of the house-gods closely associated with…
The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is the most significant of the female Taoist deities and is viewed as having magical powers to controls life, death, creation and destruction and determines the lifespan of every living being. She lives with her husband the Jade Emperor in Kunlun Mountain where she attends her famous garden…
This extremely unique and charming White Robed Guanyin sits on a Hǒu (Hou), the mythical master of the universe, intermediary between heaven and humans, the symbol of righteousness and morality and the mandate to usher in peace and prosperity. The Hǒu here resembles a Buddhist lion with its open roaring mouth emphasizing the power of Guanyin…
The Kitchen God (Zao Shen) was and still is among the most important Chinese house gods. Traditionally every family had its own Kitchen God with or without his wife above the stove to reflect his and its central position in the family’s life. The Kitchen God is both a syncretic and a tutelary deity embraced…
This elegant antique-Chinese-carving of Nanhai Guanyin is from the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. She sits on a round pedestal a rock at the entrance to her Cave of Tidal Sound on the island of Mount Putuo, represented by the arched overhead covering and the rough indentations symbolizing the bottom of the cave. She…
Zhenwu (aka Xuanwu, Wuandi and Zhenwudadi) is one of the most revered Chinese Taoist figures, venerated for his ability to heal as well as to protect his country and the emperor. There are various depictions of his attire, but here he wears a plain black robe with an official’s belt which he holds in his…
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