Supernatural Powers and Deities:
Tao is the main influence on the entire religion of Taoism, it is not a god and is not worshipped. Tao is:
- The source of creation
- The ultimate
- The inexpressible and undefinable
- The unnameable
- The natural universe as a whole
- The way of nature as a whole
(BBC- Religion. 2014.)
Taoism has evolved its own pantheon of deities which are worshipped in temples. These deities each represent different attributes and qualities. Certain ceremonies, depending on circumstances were conducted to appeal to them. The most famous Taoist deities are the eight immortals:
Lu Tung-Pin ~
Lu Tung-Pin was a scholar, official and doctor. After a long, distinguished life as an official which ended in disgrace, he became a Taoist. Very popular in life, after his death Lu Tung-Pin became venerated as the King of Medicine. He represents the wealthy and literacy.
Ts'au Kuo-Chiu ~
Representing the nobility, Ts'ao Kuo-Chiu was connected with the imperial Sung Dynasty. He retired and became a hermit, studying Tao and learning the recipe for perfection, as a result of the shame he felt when his brother committed a crime.
"One day Han Ching-li and Lu Tung-pin found him and asked him what he was doing. He replied that he was studying the Tao. "What is that and where is it?" they asked. He pointed first to the sky and then to his heart. Then they realized that he understood and they gave him the recipe for perfection." (The Taoist Deities. 2014.)
Chang Kuo-lao ~
Chang Kuo-lao retired to live as a hermit on Mt. Chung-t'iao in Shansi, after he was once the head of the Imperial Academy. He was known for dying but shortly coming back to life when travelling to court. He is often pictured riding a mule facing the tail.
Li T'ieh-kua ~
Li T'ieh-kuai represents the crippled and deformed. He has a black face and iron crutch. He tries to alleviate human suffering and was sait to be taught immortality by Queen of the Immortals, Hsi-wang-mu.
Ho Hsien-ku ~
The legend is that she lived in the time of the Empress Wu in the Yun-mu Mountains. One night she had a dream that she should grind up Yun-mu (a stone) and eat it. She did and at the same time vowed chastity. She then floated from mountain peak to peak gathering fruits which she gave to her mother. The Empress heard of her and summoned her to the court, however she disappeared on the way. This is how she achieved immortality. Ho Hsien-ku is represented holding a peach and a lotus blossom (a symbol of purity). She is a patron deity of women.
Han Hsiang-tsu ~
He was the grandnephew of Han Yu who was a minister to Emperor Hsing-tung. It is believed he accomplished many remarkable feats, one being production of extraordinary plants. He achieved immortality through eating one of the peaches of immortality. He carries with him a basket of flowers or fruit. Han Hsiang-tsu represents youth.
Han Chung-li ~
He lived during the Han dynasty and in his old age he became a hermit and lived on Yang-chiu Mt. in Shansi. Here he met the Five Heroes who taught him how to achieve immortality. It is said during a famine he turned base metals into silver and distributed it to the poor people. He is recognized holding a fan. When he achieved immortality he was carried by a stork into the Heavens. Han Chung-li represents military men.
Other Deities:
Yu Huang - The Jade Emperor
The great high God of Taoists, Yu Huang rules Heaven and all other gods must report to him. His main function is to distribute justice. He does this through the system of Hell where evil thoughts and deeds are punished. He is the Lord of the living and the dead.
Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun - The first Principal
He is limitless, self-existing, changeless and limitless, contains all virtues and is the source of all truth present in all places. Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun is one of the abstract deities above Yu Huang, simple there so exist and instruct.
San-ch'ing - Three Pure Ones
These manifestations of Lao Tzu are not rulers, but rather seek to save mankind by teaching and benevolence. They are T'ai-Ch'ing (great pure), Shang-Ch'ing (upper pure) and Yu-Ch'ing (jade pure).
San-Kuan - Three officials
San-Kuan keep register of good and evil deeds and accordingly award good and bad fortune. Shui-Kuan, ruler of water, averts all evil, Ti-Kuan, ruler of Earth, grants remissions of sins and T'ien-kuan, the ruler of heaven, grants happiness. For all people their compassion is unbounded.
Through worshipping these deities, Taoists are guided on their search for meaning. The Gods representing immortality as well as many aspect of human life offer a sense of direction for Taoists on their journeys along the path of Tao. The deities also provide a source of protection and hope for Taoists.
- The source of creation
- The ultimate
- The inexpressible and undefinable
- The unnameable
- The natural universe as a whole
- The way of nature as a whole
(BBC- Religion. 2014.)
Taoism has evolved its own pantheon of deities which are worshipped in temples. These deities each represent different attributes and qualities. Certain ceremonies, depending on circumstances were conducted to appeal to them. The most famous Taoist deities are the eight immortals:
Lu Tung-Pin ~
Lu Tung-Pin was a scholar, official and doctor. After a long, distinguished life as an official which ended in disgrace, he became a Taoist. Very popular in life, after his death Lu Tung-Pin became venerated as the King of Medicine. He represents the wealthy and literacy.
Ts'au Kuo-Chiu ~
Representing the nobility, Ts'ao Kuo-Chiu was connected with the imperial Sung Dynasty. He retired and became a hermit, studying Tao and learning the recipe for perfection, as a result of the shame he felt when his brother committed a crime.
"One day Han Ching-li and Lu Tung-pin found him and asked him what he was doing. He replied that he was studying the Tao. "What is that and where is it?" they asked. He pointed first to the sky and then to his heart. Then they realized that he understood and they gave him the recipe for perfection." (The Taoist Deities. 2014.)
Chang Kuo-lao ~
Chang Kuo-lao retired to live as a hermit on Mt. Chung-t'iao in Shansi, after he was once the head of the Imperial Academy. He was known for dying but shortly coming back to life when travelling to court. He is often pictured riding a mule facing the tail.
Li T'ieh-kua ~
Li T'ieh-kuai represents the crippled and deformed. He has a black face and iron crutch. He tries to alleviate human suffering and was sait to be taught immortality by Queen of the Immortals, Hsi-wang-mu.
Ho Hsien-ku ~
The legend is that she lived in the time of the Empress Wu in the Yun-mu Mountains. One night she had a dream that she should grind up Yun-mu (a stone) and eat it. She did and at the same time vowed chastity. She then floated from mountain peak to peak gathering fruits which she gave to her mother. The Empress heard of her and summoned her to the court, however she disappeared on the way. This is how she achieved immortality. Ho Hsien-ku is represented holding a peach and a lotus blossom (a symbol of purity). She is a patron deity of women.
Han Hsiang-tsu ~
He was the grandnephew of Han Yu who was a minister to Emperor Hsing-tung. It is believed he accomplished many remarkable feats, one being production of extraordinary plants. He achieved immortality through eating one of the peaches of immortality. He carries with him a basket of flowers or fruit. Han Hsiang-tsu represents youth.
Han Chung-li ~
He lived during the Han dynasty and in his old age he became a hermit and lived on Yang-chiu Mt. in Shansi. Here he met the Five Heroes who taught him how to achieve immortality. It is said during a famine he turned base metals into silver and distributed it to the poor people. He is recognized holding a fan. When he achieved immortality he was carried by a stork into the Heavens. Han Chung-li represents military men.
Other Deities:
Yu Huang - The Jade Emperor
The great high God of Taoists, Yu Huang rules Heaven and all other gods must report to him. His main function is to distribute justice. He does this through the system of Hell where evil thoughts and deeds are punished. He is the Lord of the living and the dead.
Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun - The first Principal
He is limitless, self-existing, changeless and limitless, contains all virtues and is the source of all truth present in all places. Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun is one of the abstract deities above Yu Huang, simple there so exist and instruct.
San-ch'ing - Three Pure Ones
These manifestations of Lao Tzu are not rulers, but rather seek to save mankind by teaching and benevolence. They are T'ai-Ch'ing (great pure), Shang-Ch'ing (upper pure) and Yu-Ch'ing (jade pure).
San-Kuan - Three officials
San-Kuan keep register of good and evil deeds and accordingly award good and bad fortune. Shui-Kuan, ruler of water, averts all evil, Ti-Kuan, ruler of Earth, grants remissions of sins and T'ien-kuan, the ruler of heaven, grants happiness. For all people their compassion is unbounded.
Through worshipping these deities, Taoists are guided on their search for meaning. The Gods representing immortality as well as many aspect of human life offer a sense of direction for Taoists on their journeys along the path of Tao. The deities also provide a source of protection and hope for Taoists.