Checheng Earth God 車城土地公 15/7/2009

Checheng Fu'an Temple 車城福安宮
Taiwan’s earliest earth god temple is located in Checheng Town, of Pingtung (屏東) county. A big difference between this temple and other earth god temples is that the Checheng temple has a grand appearance of palace-style architecture.
The temple was built in 1662 (1st year of the Kangxi [康熙] Emperor). The Han people had come to Taiwan from Fujian Province in China to reclaim land. At that time, the Checheng area was still infested with disease. In order to reclaim peace and serenity, ancestors from Quanzhou (泉州) sculpted statues of the “Fude Zhengshen (福德正神)” God and made offerings at Checheng temple. At that time the temple was called the Jingsheng Ting (敬聖亭), which was the start of the Fu’an temple (福安宮) in Checheng. At the year of Jiaqing (嘉慶), Jingsheng Ting was to be renovated by the local people, and the name was to be changed to Fu’an Temple. In 1951 the name officially became Fu’an Temple.
During the reign of Emperor Qinglong (乾隆), to quell the Lin Shuangwen (林爽文) event, the Qianlong Emperor sent troops crossing Taiwan destroy the chaos. Unexpectedly soldiers fell sick. According to legend, Qianlong led the soldiers of Imperial Commissioner Fukang'an (福康安) to plead with Fudezhengshen God in Checheng. The soldiers suddenly were healed one after another. In order to repay the mercy they had been shown, Qianlong gave Fude Zhengshen his crown and robe. Wearing the robe and crown, the God lookes very different from the Earth God of other temples. Qinglong also bestowed a stone of praise on the earth god’s shrine so as to manifest the validity of its miracles. There are many important historical remains in the temple such as woodcarvings from the time of Xianfeng (咸豐). In the main hall on the right wall is an "Admiral Liu monument (劉提督碑)" from 1871 (6th year of Tongzhi [同治] Emperor). Garrison General of Taiwan Zhen, Liu Mingdeng (劉明燈) was under orders to go to pacify in Taiwan and suppress the rebellions. He added a wing to the Fu’an Temple, and after stopping the rebellions he made a memorial plaque to thank the god for his help.
The Fu’an Temple has been expanded several times, and has spread all over Taiwan, each with a portion of the god’s spirit. Every year from February 8th through February 15th (lunar calendar), Fude Zhengshen’s birthday is celebrated. There are between 6 and 7 thousand parts of his spirit that travel back home, and are accompanied by thousands of people paying respect to the god. Each day all day one may hear the loud sound of firecrackers.
(From Council for Cultural Affairs)

Jade Emperor 玉皇大帝 21/6/2009, 11/3/2011, saw at 26/10/2012, 28/9/2013, 16/8/2017

The Jade Emperor (Chinese: 玉皇; pinyin: Yù Huáng or 玉帝 Yù Dì) in Chinese folk culture, is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In actual Taoism, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
The Jade Emperor is known by many names, including Heavenly Grandfather (天公 Tiān Gōng) which is used by commoners; the Pure August Jade Emperor, August Personage of Jade (玉皇上帝 Yu Huang Shangdi or 玉皇大帝 Yu Huang Dadi); the Xuanling High Sovereign; and his rarely used, formal title, Peace Absolving, Central August Spirit Exalted, Ancient Buddha, Most Pious and Honorable, His Highness the Jade-Emperor, Xuanling High Sovereign (太平普度皇靈中天至聖仁義古佛玉皇大天尊).


Origin
It was said that the Jade Emperor was originally the crown prince of the kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments. At birth, he emitted a wondrous light that filled the entire kingdom. When he was young, he was kind, intelligent and wise. He devoted his entire childhood to helping the needy (the poor and suffering, the deserted and single, the hungry and disabled). Furthermore, he showed respect and benevolence to both men and creatures. After his father died, he ascended the throne. He made sure that everyone in his kingdom found peace and contentment. After that, he told his ministers that he wished to cultivate Tao on the Bright and Fragrant Cliff.
After 1,550 kalpas, each kalpa lasting for 129,600 years, he attained Golden Immortality. After another one hundred million years of cultivation, he finally became the Jade Emperor. (Using the given figures, this period before his becoming the Jade Emperor lasted for a total of about 300,880,000 years.)
(From Wikipedia)

Guan Gong 关圣帝君 16/12/2007, 19/1/2008, 18/6/2009, saw at 26/3/2012, 26/10/2012, 8/1/2013

Guan Yu (关羽) was a historical person who lived in China during the Three Kingdoms period, (三国) (CE 220-CE 280).


Historical background
Towards the end of the Han dynasty (汉朝), the emperor had been reduced to a nominal ruler. Powerful clans and court officials fought against each other to become the power behind the throne. Meanwhile, disenfranchised peasant began series of uprising. The most severe of these movements was the Yellow Turban Rebellion (黄巾起义).
As the political disintegration intensified, regional warlords were no longer contented to be the power behind the throne. They aspired to be rulers of their own empire. Nevertheless, others remained loyal to the Han dynasty and sought to restore the power of the Han Emperor.
Guan Yu belonged to the group who aspired to restore the Han Dynasty. He had met two other persons with the same ideal; Liu Bei, (刘备)a distant member of the Han royal family and Zhang Fei (张飞). They became sworn brothers at the Peach Garden (桃园结义) and vowed to work together towards the revival of the Han Dynasty. Liu Bei was the eldest of the three brothers; Guan Yu was the second brother and Zhang Fei the youngest.
When the regional powers Cao Cao (曹操) and Sun Quan (孙权) proclaimed themselves Emperors Wei (魏) and Wu (吴), Liu Bei declared himself the Emperor of Shu (蜀) with the aim of restoring the Han dynasty, often referred to as Shu-Han (蜀汉). With this development, Chinese history entered the Three Kingdoms Period, (三国时代) a political scene that lasted for 60 years from CE 220 to 280.
As a General, Guan Yu was well known for this integrity, and bravery. As an individual, he was respected for his loyalty and righteousness. During a battle with Wu forces, Guan Yu was captured and beheaded.


Guan Gong culture
After his death, General Guan Yu became the embodiment of loyalty, righteous, bravery and benevolence(忠义勇仁) . Guan Yu’s brotherhood pact with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei provides strong imagery and symbolism for friends to look after each other in times of hardship. This idea offered motivation and role model for Chinese migrants when they arrive in their host society.
His popularity and the respect he commanded are reflected by the list of posthumous honors bestowed on him by subsequent emperors. During the Ming dynasty, Wu Cheng En wrote the novel San Guo Yan Xi (三国演义), Romance of the three Kingdoms, using the Three Kingdoms period as a backdrop and immortalized Guan Yu and his sworn brothers.
The Taoist worshipped Guan Yu as the god of literature、god of war and　Martial God of Wealth and is referred to as Guan Gong (关公), Guan Di (关帝) and as a sign of respect. There are also spirit mediums or Tangkis who can manifest the spirit of Guan Yu.
In southern China and overseas Chinese community in Taiwan and South East Asia, Guan Gong is also manifested via spirit mediums.
The Chinese Buddhist regarded him as Sangharama Bodhisattva (伽蓝菩萨). As Sangharama Bodhisattva, Guan Gong is usually found in the Bell Tower of forest style Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Monastery. In the Hokkien temple Thian Hock Keng in Singapore, Guan Gong can be found both in his Taoist and Buddhist form. 
Guan Gong is often depicted in paintings, sculptures and many art forms. When he is depicted with his sworn brothers, Liu Bei as the eldest brother is seated with Guan Gong and Zhang Fei by his side. If Guan Gong is the central figure, his two assistants, Guan Ping (关平) and Zhou Cang (周仓) stand by his side. He is also represented alone either standing with a saber or seated and at times reading. In many temples, a sculpture of his horse can usually be found.


Globalization of Guan Yu culture
Many overseas Chinese communities worship General Guan Gong and dedicated temples or set up altars in his memory. Such practices reflect the importance these communities placed on social solidarity and the need for mutual support in a foreign land. The notion of brotherhood has also been appropriated by triads to emphasize the group identify and brotherhood of triad membership.
The Buddhist worship of Guan Gong as Sangharama Bodhisattva is also practiced in some Theravada Buddhist temples and Guan Gong is also one of the pantheons in Vietnam’s Cao Dao religion.
The history and continuous popularity of Guan Gong reflects the collective ideals of the Chinese over time and how these ideals are manifested as they migrate overseas. Among the overseas Chinese community, the temples dedicated to Guan Gong also demonstrated how the traditional social ideals provided a model for migrants as they leave their homeland to seek opportunities. At the same time, Guan Gong’s appearance in Theravada cultures and Cao Dao in Vietnam also reflect the universality in the values he embodies. (From Chinatownology)

Divination: about tried 11/4/2009

Verse:
圓又缺  缺又圓  低低密密要周旋  時來使見緣
Explanation:
要求功德圆满，但凭个人造化，机缘如何，所问诸事均如此。

PATRON SAINT 守護神 8/4/2009, saw Suzaku at 19/10/2012

Patron saint of Murky Warrior (North) and Vermilion Bird (South)


Vermilion Bird (South) 南方朱雀 (Suzaku)
Part-1
朱雀(Suzaku) 又可說是鳳凰或玄鳥。朱雀是四靈之一，也和其他三種一樣，它是出自星宿的，是南方七宿的總稱：井、鬼、柳、星、張、翼、軫。聯想起來就是朱雀了。朱為赤色，像火，南方屬火，故名鳳凰。它也有從火裡重身的特性，和西方的不死鳥一樣，故又叫火鳳凰。 
在古籍的記載中鳳是一種美麗的鳥類，而以它的歌聲與儀態為百鳥之王，它能給人間帶來祥瑞，同時也擁有'非梧桐不棲，非竹實不食，非醴泉不飲’的特殊靈性，而由於它是'羽蟲’之長，所以和'鱗蟲’之長的龍在傳說中就漸漸成了一對，一個變化多端，一個德性美好，就成了民俗中相輔相成的一對，更由於龍象徵著至陽，而原來也有陰陽之分的鳳（鳳為雄，雌為凰）在跟龍相對之後就漸漸的成為純陰的代表了。 
而鳳凰它的原形有很多種。如錦雞、孔雀、鷹鷲、鵠、玄鳥（燕子）等等...又有說是佛教大鵬金翅鳥變成的。鳳凰神話中說的鳳凰是有雞的腦袋、燕子的下巴、蛇的頸、魚的尾、有五色紋。又請鳳是有五種品種，以顏色來分的：紅是鳳、青則是鸞鳥、白是天鵝、另有黃和紫的。 
而玄鳥的說法就是從《詩經.商頌.玄鳥》說：'天命玄鳥、降而生商、它殷土芒芒。古帝命武湯、正域彼四方。’中，就是殷商說的後代說自己的先袓－契是由玄鳥生下來的，建立強大的商朝。因此玄鳥就成了商人的始袓了。《史記.殷本記》也記了這段歷史：'殷契、母曰簡狄，有絨氐之女，為帝嚳次妃......三人行浴，見玄鳥隨其卵，簡狄取而吞之，因孕生契。’ 除了殷商之外，戰國時的秦，滿清的始袓和朝鮮新羅的始袓也是和仙女吞食玄鳥卵有關的。不論玄鳥或是鳳凰，都是隨道教的發展，而把它由一隻雀鳥，或孔雀或山雞等等...先變成一個半人半禽的、傳人兵法的仙女到完全是人的仙女，都是隨道教的發展的。 
而在北京過去就有三座專祀玄女的廟宇，叫九天娘娘廟、玄女廟。在北方和南方的地方也都有玄女廟。 


Part-2
朱雀四大神獸之一。
神鳥；為南方之神。是南方七宿之總稱。
《夢溪筆談》卷七：“四方取象，蒼龍、白虎、朱雀、龜蛇。唯朱雀莫知何物，但鳥謂朱者，羽族赤而翔上，集必附木，此火之象也。謂之長離……或雲，鳥即鳳也。”《楚辭·惜誓》：“飛朱鳥使先驅兮。”王逸注：“朱雀神鳥，為我先導。”
《書·堯典》：“日中星鳥。”傳：“鳥，南方朱鳥七宿。”疏：“南方朱鳥七宿者，再天成象，星座鳥形。《曲禮》說軍陳象天之行：前朱雀，後玄武，左青龍，右白虎；雀即鳥也。”
朱雀，亦稱“朱鳥”，又可說是鳳凰或玄鳥，“太陽鳥”同類。它是出自星宿的，是南方七宿的總稱：井、鬼、柳、星、張、翼、軫。聯想起來就是朱雀了。朱為赤色，像火，南方屬火，故名鳳凰。它也有從火裡重身的特性，和西方的不死鳥一樣，故又叫火鳳凰。 “鳳凰涅盤，慾火重生”。
而玄鳥的說法就是從《詩經·商頌·玄鳥》說：'天命玄鳥、降而生商、它殷土芒芒。古帝命武湯、正域彼四方。’中，就是殷商說的後代說自己的先袓－契是由玄鳥生下來的，建立強大的商朝。因此玄鳥就成了商人的始袓了。《史·殷本記》也記了這段歷史：'殷契、母曰簡狄，有絨氐之女，為帝嚳次妃......三人行浴，見玄鳥隨其卵，簡狄取而吞之，因孕生契。’ 
《山海經·大荒西經》提到有一種五彩鳥，有三種名稱，叫皇鳥、朱雀及鳳鳥。
《太上黃籙齋儀》卷四十四稱南方朱崔星君為：“井宿天井星君，鬼宿天匱星君，柳宿天廚星君，星宿天庫星君，張宿天秤星君，翼宿天都星君，軫宿天街星君。”至於其形象，《道門通教必用集》卷七云：“南方朱崔，從禽之長，丹穴化生，碧雷流響，奇彩五色，神儀六象，來導吾前。”《雲笈七籤》卷七十二引《古經》“四神之丹”稱：朱崔者，南方丙丁火硃砂也，刨液成龍，結氣成鳥，其氣騰而為天，其質陣而為地，所以為大丹之本也，見火即飛，故得朱崔之稱也。


Murky Warrior (North) 北方玄武
Part-1
玄武是一種由龜和蛇組合成的一種靈物。玄武的本意就是玄冥，武、冥古音是相通的。武，是黑的意思；冥，就是陰的意思。玄冥起初是對龜卜的形容：龜背是黑色的，龜卜就是請龜到冥間去詣問袓先，將答案帶回來，以卜兆的形式顯給世人。因此，最早的玄武就是烏龜。以後，玄冥的含義不斷地擴大。龜生活在江河湖海（包括海龜），因而玄冥成了水神；烏龜長壽，玄冥成了長生不老的象徵；最初的冥間在北方，殷商的甲骨占卜即'其卜必北向’，所以玄冥又成了北方神。 
它和其他三靈一樣，玄武也由天下二十八星宿變成的：鬥、牛、女、虛、危、室、壁。而古時後的人對玄武它的解釋有以下的數種，'玄武’即龜。《禮記.曲禮上》云：'行，前朱鳥而後玄武...’'玄武’乃龜蛇。《楚辭.遠遊》洪興祖補注：'玄武，謂龜蛇。位在北方，故曰玄。身有鱗甲，故曰武。'玄武’為蛇合體、龜與蛇交。 
《文選》卷十五張衡《思玄賦》曰：'玄武宿於殼中兮，騰蛇蜿蜒而自糾。’李善注云：'龜與蛇交曰玄武。’《後漢書.王梁傳》：'《赤伏符》曰：'王梁主衡作玄武。’’李賢注云：'亡武，北方之神，龜蛇合體。’'玄武’為水神、北方之神。《後漢書.王梁傳》：'玄武，水神之名。’《重修緯書集成》卷六〈河圖帝覽嬉〉：'北方玄武所生，...鎮北方，主風雨。’ 
但玄武被後世的道士們升級做北方的大帝“真武大帝”。有別於其他三靈。其他的青龍和白虎，只做了山廟的門神，而朱鳥就成了又天玄女。 
玄武在宋代身價培增，並被人格化。這與宋代各帝推波助瀾分不開。宋初太祖時，即有真武、天蓬等為天之大將的傳說。未真宗天禧元年，在軍營中發生了一件事。在《事物紀原》卷七載：'營卒有見蛇者，軍士因其建真武堂。二年閏四月，泉涌堂側，汲不竭，民疾疫者，飲之多愈。’真宗聽說此事，下詔就地建觀，賜名'祥源’。這大約是中國最早的真武廟。 
真武大帝的身世，後人多說是在隋煬帝時，玉帝將自己的三魂之一，化身投胎於掙樂國皇后，厭惡塵世，舍位入武當山上修行，成功飛升，鎮守北方，號曰：玄武 。


Part-2
北方之神，四大神獸之一。北方七宿。 玄武很象龜與蛇組成的靈物。玄武的本意就是玄冥，武、冥古音是相通的。武，是黑的意思；冥，就是陰的意思。玄冥是對龜卜的形容：龜背是黑色的，龜卜就是請龜到冥間去詣問袓先，將答案帶回來，以卜兆的形式顯給世人。玄冥最先是水神；長壽，玄冥長生不老；殷商的甲骨占卜即「其卜必北向」，玄冥也是北方神。玄武又叫玄冥，故又稱北冥。《禮記 曲禮上》云：「行，前朱鳥而後玄武……」「玄武」乃龜蛇。《楚辭 ·遠遊》洪興祖補注：「玄武，謂龜蛇。位在北方，故曰玄。身有鱗甲，故曰武」。 《文選》卷十五張衡《思玄賦》曰：「玄武宿於殼中兮，騰蛇蜿蜒而自糾。」李善注云：「龜與蛇交曰玄武。」《後漢書．王梁傳》：「《赤伏符》曰：「王梁主衡作玄武。」」李賢注云：「亡武，北方之神，龜蛇合體。」「玄武」為水神、北方之神。《後漢書．王梁傳》：「玄武，水神之名。」《重修緯書集成》卷六＜河圖帝覽嬉＞：「北方玄武所生，．．．鎮北方，主風雨。」 其組成星宿為：鬥、牛、女、虛、危、室、壁。

Divination: Whether the petition again? 24/3/2009

Verse:
三天门  四地户  布阵成  明聚路  军马齐奔  鸡鼓动进步


Explanation:
喊杀震天，战鼓隆隆，刀光剑影，充满了战争的残酷，悲壮气息。 三天门，四地户的阵势，注定了你在此役中的战略方针；以守为攻，防守中伺面反击。 在阵布好以后，临出发攻击之前，不忽略了下级的交代，明确战斗结束时集结的时间和地点，要做到人人心中有数，不致于被对方打乱了阵脚，迁造成各自为战，指挥失灵的混乱局面。 最佳的攻击时间是什么时辰?鸡时击鼓进攻，是最适合酉在地支中第十位，属鸡， 每年中的农历八月，都是酉月，酉在一天中的时间是下午5时至7时，正酉时是下午6时，这便是发动进攻的最佳时间。

Divination: about SUIT 20/11/2008

Verse:
财马两勿洽  官禄有定方  猪羊牛犬  自去主张


Explanation:
古代预测术中，认为驿马星可吉可凶。贵人驿马多升跃，常人驿马多奔波。为财利而奔波，被当作常人，不能算是吉利，难奔波劳累，受尽颠离之苦，且获利甚微，向近于无，因此说，财利与驿马，两不相洽。 如果你以官方的名义，远方求财，那么这种获利的可能性，者可以肯定的。 然而，此次远行求利，到底结局如何? "猪羊牛犬"，签里和了明显答复。你是属于上述生肖的人吗?你有幸为其中之一，就大胆地作好计划去干，如果不在其列，去也无益，不如打消远征的念头。 猪人的发达方向宜往北，羊人宜向西。牛人西南方，向有利。犬人则四方皆利，但须不断保持与家中联络，往返奔波，会更幸劳些。 在合作形式上，属猪和属羊的人，可以成为上佳拍档。牛，蛇，鸡人的组合，也相当默契，能获得成功。虎马犬人将紧密合作，精力充沛，心情愉快。

Divination: How will my daughter's case? 18/11/2008

Verse:
东南地将  来自故墟  燕蓟地仓  生无存济  若要在奋雄心  水源不知何处
Explanation:
这支签指导你发达的方向。什么方向最佳，吉利，什么地方是绝地，走不通。均一一讲明，人钉认真对待。中方位，均是相对而言，出发点是你的籍贯地。 你这位将爷，怎么一不河间府这块地面来了?这是你的绝地呀!你的籍贯在燕，蓟地区的东南方位，远着呢。你背井离乡到这儿，真是投错了方向。你的最佳方位，应当是沿着黄河逆流而上，远远的西北黄土高原，才是你用武之地。在那儿，你将建功立业，名利双收，并且诸事顺遂，一帆风顺。 又你生命的保护神，正是白虎，和玄武天神。独在异乡，你要多多保重，留意头部的伤害和疾患，注意饮食卫生。 不要吃马肉。回族兄弟可交，且必为肝胆相照的生死朋友。


Verse:
秋霜肃  夏日炎  新花鲜了旧花淹  世情看冷暖  逢者不须言
Explanation:
此事于夏秋之季，多不吉利。新花稀落落，旧花残败，正是换季之期，青黄不接之运程。这个时候，你会常常看到人家的白眼，霜脸，处处遭际冷遇，缺少朋友缘份，与早期大不相同。人情似纸张张薄，一捅就破。曾经抬你捧你的人，如今都冷嘲热讽，或者掉头而去，或者隔岸观火，漠不相关。这种时候去求告于人，简直不要开口，既无益处，反而烦恼。是那相知的人，古道热肠，不用你开口也会主动帮助你的，正所谓"疾风知劲草，极荡识忠臣。"。 为今之计，唯有自己救自己。万不可因一时挫折，便心死如灰，倒了志气。密地里作好准诸般，养足元气，调整体能，只待明春春雷滚动，再重新奋起。 "江东子弟多豪俊，卷土重来未可知。"