Mythological Heroes 3--Comic Chinese Heroes

Author: Quan Yingsheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The World-Shaking God: The Thunder God, traditionally known as the god who strikes thunder in the sky. He is described as "inconceivably strong, with bulging muscles like a monkey, a long and mirror-like chin, eagle-like feet, and thicker claws. He holds a wedge in his left hand, appearing as if ready to strike. From top to bottom, five drums are hung around him, and his right foot treads on a group of 'clans'"（《Jisu Quanzhen》). As for the origin of this image, there are various theories. One says that whenever there is a storm, the drums are beaten densely, and then the thunderous sound echoes across the world. Later generations' depictions of the Thunder God have changed. Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, a filial son was struck by lightning while killing a chicken for his mother, and after ascending to heaven, the Jade Emperor appointed him as the Thunder God. His head resembles a monster, his mouth is like a chicken's beak, his shoulders have wings, his left hand holds a sharp knife, and his right hand holds a drumstick. Modern Thunder God temples are modeled after this image. However, since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, people have given the Thunder God many social functions, mostly positive. For example, it is believed that he can execute divine justice on behalf of heaven, strike and kill the guilty, and even distinguish between right and wrong. Therefore, in Chinese folklore, the Thunder God is a god who upholds justice.（《One Hundred Chinese Gods》）。This book also includes three stories: The Legend of Taigong, The Goddess Mazu with the Heavenly Hand, and The True Lord Erlang.