| Town God Temple | |
In almost every large and medium-sized city in China, one can find a Chenghuang
Temple or Town God Temple. In the temple, sits a statue of the town god.
Usually, there are one or two sacrificial ceremonies each year. The ceremonies
are important occasions for both old and young.
Who is the town god?
Here is a large picture of the
Chenghuang Temple in Changzhi, Shanxi Province.
Written by our column writer Ye Qinfa.
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In the old days, people imagined that the city was protected by a god known
as Chenghuang (town god). Under his protection, people could live peacefully.
Chenghuang's duty was just like that of the county head in feudal China.
Taoists accepted him not only as an executive but as a law officer as well.
It was believed that Chenghuang was empowered by the celestial ruler to
exterminate evils in towns and cities and make citizens live a prosperous and
happy life. He was even capable of granting what people prayed for. He gave
rain when it was too dry and gave sunshine when there was too much rain.
He brought big crop harvests for farmers and flourishing business for traders.
As historical records indicate, the first known Chenghuan Temple
was built as early as 239 A.D in the Three Kingdoms Period.
Interestingly, the town god had his mold in the practical society. The mold was
always a hero who had done a lot and sacrificed his life for the public.
People honored him as a god and believed that he would bring them peace
and happiness. That's why the town gods in different cities often have
different looks. Even today, every year at a fixed time, people come to
the temples and show their respect for their protectors by kowtowing and
offering some sacrifices. Chenghuang is a god in Taoism, but monarchs of
different faiths in history all put him in a very important position.