A City God () is a tutelary deity in Chinese folk religion who is believed to protect the people and the affairs of the particular village, town or city of great dimension, and the corresponding location in the afterlife. City God cults appeared over two millennia ago, and originally involved worship of a protective deity of a town's walls and moats. Later, the term came to be applied to deified leaders from the town, who serve in authority over the souls of the deceased from that town, and intervene in the affairs of the living, in conjunction with other officials of the hierarchy of divine beings. City Gods are considered above tǔdìgōng ('lords of local land'), which themselves are above landlord deities.
Etymology
thumb|Model reproducing a view of [[Nanjing in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), showing a city wall and moat combination, a model of city defense which had at this point evolved over many centuries, together with the worship of the City God.]]
In the name (), the first character () means 'city wall' (a 'defensive rampart'; or, by extension, 'walled city') and the second character, (), literally means 'moat'. () means 'a god'. Put together, Chenghuangshen was originally the name of a deity or type of deity believed to be able to provide divine protection to a city's physical defenses, particularly its surrounding wall and moat. Later the concept became more generalized, and the meaning extended to the office itself of such a deity, rather than the presumed office-holder (in later times, it was standard to officially appoint the spirit of the government official in charge of the city to a three-year term as City God, upon his decease).
History
There are temples dedicated to the local City God in many cities of China. Much as the ancient Indians, the ancient Sumerians, and the ancient Greeks did, the Chinese traditionally believed that guardian gods watched over cities. Chenghuangshen are believed to be involved in communal concerns such as the need for rain, and may be involved in personal requests such as recovery from illness. Town residents may appeal to the City God for help in a natural disaster or other crisis. The City God may also be called upon to help those who are accused of crimes. The accused appear before the god and ask for a sign to help prove their innocence.
There is some evidence that, prior to the building of the Fook Tak Tsz in Shau Kei Wan, there was a Shing Wong temple built at the junction of Shing Wong Street and Hollywood Road, where Queen's College later stood. However, both buildings have been torn down. There are other temples located in Hong Kong that house the deity Shing Wong, such as the Man Mo Temple.
People's Republic of China
Chinese government officials have sponsored seminars at Cheng Huang temples across Fujian in an attempt to promote Chinese unification.
Thailand
thumb|Sia Ung Gong Shrine, the temple of Chenghuangshen, [[Sampheng, Bangkok.]]
alt=Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple Chenghuangshen Altar|thumb|Altar to Chenghuangshen and other [[Taoism gods at Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple, Singapore.]]
In Thailand, Chenghuangshen is comparable to the Lak Mueang (city pillar) of Thai beliefs. He is often less known or worshiped as other guardian gods, such as Tudigong, Pun Tao Kong. His temples are few, such as in a small alley in Sampheng, part of Chinatown. Often his images are worshiped and enshrined with other deities in shrines or temples in different cities, such as Four Heavenly Kings in Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, etc.
<span class="anchor" id="Temples"></span> Prominent temples
- Chenghuang Temple of Hsinchu
- Chiayi Cheng Huang Temple
- City God Temple of Shanghai
- City God Temple of Pingyao
- Magong City God Temple
- Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple
See also
- Dōsojin
- Hou Tu ()
- Heibai Wuchang ()
- List of City God Temples in China
- Pun Tao Kong ()
- Seonangsin
- Thành hoàng
- Tu Di Gong ()
References
Citations
General and cited references
External links
- Town God Temple
- Asian Historical Architecture. (2007) Retrieved October 26, 2008.