Wednesday, January 16, 2008

[Chinese] Celestial bureaucracy

Celestial bureaucracy

Alternative Names (異名):
Celestial bureaucracy


The Celestial bureaucracy is the pantheon of Chinese mythology. As the name suggests, it is organised similarly to a government administration, with the Jade Emperor (玉皇) as the senior official to whom the other deities must report. The constituents of this bureaucracy are decided in the Underworld, where extremely good souls will rise to heaven, much like the exams used here in our world. They govern aspects of our world, like fire or epidemics. Many notable immortals are on this pantheon, and one can get on it by applying for a post (only if you are a rather strong god), or committing a good deed in the name of heaven, and thus possibly get an honorable title or a reward. Note that there are spiritual forces higher than it, like Tai Shan Lao Jun and the 3 sacred masters of the Dao (三清).


Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_bureaucracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Chinese_mythology


Chinese mythology | Chinese mythology stubs

No comments:

Post a Comment