One of the “Four Auspicious” beasts in Chinese culture, the tortoise (gui 龟), or turtle, is a sign of longevity due to its long life span, as well as strength and endurance. The tortoise is associated with the north and winter. As its arch-like shell is compared to heaven and its flat underside to earth, the tortoise is said to conceal the secrets of the universe. In the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046BCE), its shell underside (plastron) was used for divination (predicting the future). Any image or design relating to a tortoise/turtle is a wish for a long life. The tortoise is associated with Zhenwu who stands on the back of a tortoise entwined with a snake.
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One of the most important and revered Taoist deities, Zhenwu was a protector of the state and the imperial family venerated for his ability to heal and protect China and its emperor and during imperial dynastic times, he was considered a patron of soldiers and a protector of national security. He was a renowned emperor,…
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…
Zhenwu was known by many names and titles, the most common ones being the True Warrior, Perfected Warrior or Northern Emperor. As one of the most popular Taoist-Deities during the Ming and Qing dynasties he was an emperor known as protector of the state and the imperial family. During the imperial dynasties was a patron…
Images of Taoist priests were often placed on a home altar along with other spiritual images, ancestral tablets and ancestor figures to honor the departed family members, practice familial piety and ancestor-worship, and request good fortune to the family dwelling and its household. Priests were called daoshi (道士 “master of the Tao”) identified by his…
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