Among the folk deities, there are the land god, the auspicious god, the guardian god, the household god, the marriage and childbearing god, the cultural god, the spirit of objects, the god of travel, and the Lady of Li Shan, the Lady of Sending-off-Children, the Three Xiao Goddesses, the God of Wealth, the God of Longevity, the God of Happiness, and the Great Land God. These deities cover all aspects of people’s spiritual sustenance in daily life. Each type of deity closely aligns with daily needs and carries people’s simple wishes for stability, success, and happiness.
The land god is the core deity of the agricultural civilization. “Sheng” represents the god of the land, and “Ji” represents the god of grains. The joint worship of these two deities symbolizes land and food, and is the foundation of the people’s livelihood. The Great Land God is an important representative of the land god. It is the main deity worshipped by both the official and the folk, protecting the fertility of the land and the abundance of grains. Ancient emperors would hold grand sacrifices for the land and the altar, while the folk would worship them during spring sowing and autumn harvest, praying for a favorable year and no worries about food and clothing. The Land God is the grassroots incarnation of the land god in the folk, guarding the farming and peace of the village.
The Guardian Deity is the deity that protects the people from disasters. Its scope of protection is extremely wide, ranging from the city god guarding the city walls to the door gods Qin Qiong and Yu Zhi Gong who protect households. Mazu, as the guardian deity of the sea, protects fishermen and merchants from accidents at sea and ensures their safe voyages. Guan Sheng Emperor protects the people and merchants with loyalty and righteousness, ensuring they stay away from disasters and have everything go smoothly. Their images are mostly solemn and upright, giving people a strong sense of security.
The family deity is the guardian of the daily peace of the household. It is closely related to the daily life and living conditions of the common people. The Kitchen God is the core representative, responsible for recording the good and bad deeds of the family. On the 23rd of January, he goes to heaven to tell good news and returns to the palace to bring good luck. The Bed God protects the family’s peaceful sleep, especially protecting children from being disturbed. The Door Gods stand guard at the door to prevent evil spirits from invading. These deities are the “guardian deities” for family safety, and every household will offer sacrifices to them.
The God of Marriage and Childbearing is responsible for ensuring a harmonious marriage and the continuation of offspring. The Goddess of Giving Birth is the central worship object for families seeking children, and she can bestow children and protect the safety of mothers and infants. People seeking children often tie a doll in the temple to pray for blessings and fulfill their vows. The Three Goddesses originated from Taoist legends and not only govern childbirth but also protect the healthy growth of children. The Huohe Two Immortals are also auspicious deities related to marriage and childbearing, governing marital harmony and a harmonious marriage, and are important worship objects at weddings.
The Cultural God is the deity who protects the prosperity of literature and the inheritance of skills. Wenchang Emperor is the main deity in charge of the fortune and fame of scholars, protecting students from failing the imperial examinations and ensuring the success of the careers of scholars. Besides, there are also ancestral gods for various industries, such as carpenters who worship Lu Ban and physicians who worship Sun Simiao. They are not only symbols of skill inheritance but also cultural deities who protect the prosperity of the industries.
The spirit gods are deities that people attribute with spiritual qualities to all natural things. They originated from the ancient belief of animism. Mountain gods protect the forests, grasslands and trees, as well as the safety of hunters. Water gods safeguard the peace of water bodies and the harvest of fishermen. Stone gods and tree gods, among others, protect a certain region of the land. In folk culture, people often worship these spirit gods to pray for natural blessings and to avoid disasters.
The god of travel is the deity who protects people’s safe journey. Mazu is the main guardian deity for maritime travel. For land travel, there are various road gods and vehicle gods. In addition, Guan Yu is often regarded as a guardian deity for travel. People offer sacrifices before their long journey to pray for a smooth journey and safety throughout the trip.
Lishi Laomu is a highly respected female deity in folk beliefs. According to the legend, she possesses extraordinary powers and can guide people in the right direction, impart Taoist teachings, and protect women and children. Many female heroes in folk tales have been enlightened by her. She is regarded as a compassionate and powerful female guardian deity in the hearts of the common people.
