The Origin of Chinese Deities
Written by Cheng Manchao
Foreign Languages Press, Beijing, 1995
Paperback,182mm x 118mm, 241 pages
ISBN: 711900306

China is a country with a long history and rich resources of national culture. Through the ages, unique traditions have exerted an influence on the Chinese people's thinking and behavior. A survey reveals that China had a wide spectrum of folk beliefs, including divinities, spirits, totems, prodigies, omens, divinations, taboos and sacrificial rites. Stories about gods, ghosts, fairies and spirits ere created and spread far and wide among the people. The appearance of the god and the custom of worshipping them constitute an integral part of Chinese folk culture and customs, exerting a wide-spread influence over China itself, overseas Chinese, and even Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and the Malay Archipelago.

With abundant historical materials and exhaustive studies over many years, the author provides a vivid and interesting account of the twenty-nine widely known and revered gods who influenced the lives of the Chinese people for many centuries. They include the Bodhisattva Guanyin, a goddess who helps the needy and relieves the distressed; Zhong Kui, a hero in vanquishing ghosts and demons; Kitchen God, who is in charge of blessing the mortal; King of Hell, sovereign of the ghost world; Jade Emperor, the highest ruler in Heave; and Jiang Taigong, who is responsible for granting titles to gods. Why and how are they enshrined and worshipped by the masses and even by the rulers? This book presents one aspect of the Chinese popular culture. It is helpful in the understanding of people's religious beliefs, and of archaeology, history, sociology, psychology, and folk literature.