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Hello everyone, I am a bookworm from Zheshui Academy, and I am very happy to share with you the topic of: Niangniang Temple. The most famous Niangniang temple in China is none other than Mount Tai Niangniang Temple, many devout pilgrims, for the sake of inner faith many times to Mount Tai to worship the Bixia Yuanjun in the Niangniang Temple. What do you think of the Niangniang Temple in China, you are welcome to share your views and suggestions.
One. The legend about the Niangniang Temple
Niangniang Temple, usually a temple dedicated to various goddesses or goddesses related to women, is widely distributed throughout China. The deities enshrined at the temple may be different in different regions, so the related legends and stories also have their own characteristics. Here are some common Niangniang temples and their legends::
1.Send the child Niangniang Temple.
Legend: The temple is usually dedicated to the goddess Niangniang, who is believed to be a deity who bestows children on believers. One of the famous legends is about the goddess Cihang Zhenren during the Song Dynasty, who was revered as the mother who gave birth to children, because she was a good person during her lifetime and showed her saints to help others, especially to help infertile women conceive and give birth to children.
2.Chenghuang Niangniang Temple.
Legend: Chenghuang Niangniang is the spouse of Chenghuang Ye, and is called Chenghuang Niangniang in some places. Legends vary about the Lady of the Castle God, but it is generally believed that she worked with the Lord to protect the peace of the place, and sometimes to care for women and children.
3.Guanyin Temple.
Legend and story: Guanyin Temple is a temple dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva is a bodhisattva of compassion and compassion, and is considered to be the "Great Compassion Guanyin Bodhisattva" in Buddhism. There are many legends of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the most famous of which is the image of her saving people with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.
4.Mazu Temple.
Legend and story: Mazu is the god of the sea in China's coastal areas, especially Fujian and Taiwan, formerly known as Lin Mo Niang, who was revered as Mazu because of his many appearances at sea to save people. There are many legends about Mazu, the most famous being the story of her turning into a lighthouse during a storm and guiding the ship safely to port.
These Niangniang temples and their legends not only show the rich folk beliefs and myths and legends of China, but also reflect people's reverence and belief in female gods. The story behind each Niangniang temple contains profound cultural significance and local characteristics, and is an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture.
Two. Which gods are enshrined in the Niangniang Temple
Niangniang temples are widespread throughout China, and Niangniang temples in different regions may be dedicated to different deities. Most of these deities are related to women, motherhood, fertility, or the sea, and here are some of the common deities enshrined in Niangniang temples:
Sending children to Niangniang (Cihang Zhenren): Considered to be a goddess who exclusively bestows on the children of believers. Tzu Hang Zhenren is one of the famous send-offs, known in folk beliefs for her compassion and special care for women and children.
Mazu (Heavenly Virgin): The goddess of the sea in China's coastal areas, especially in Fujian and Taiwan, was originally known as Lin Mo Niang, and was later revered as Mazu. She was regarded as the patron saint of ships and the rescue of shipwrecked sailors.
Guanyin Bodhisattva: Although Guanyin Bodhisattva is not exclusive to female figures in Buddhism, in Chinese folk beliefs, Guanyin Bodhisattva is often depicted as a compassionate female figure, and is widely worshipped in Guanyin temples and is regarded as a bodhisattva who saves suffering.
Mother of the Land: In some places, the Mother of the Land is considered to be the female patron saint of the land, blessing a bountiful harvest and family harmony.
Stove God Niangniang: In Chinese kitchens, it is common to see shrines dedicated to the god of the stove, where the wife of the god of the stove is known as the god of the stove, and she is believed to work with the god of the stove to bless the family's food safety and health.
Pregnant mothers: In some places, pregnant mothers are especially worshipped, and she is believed to be able to bless women with smooth pregnancies and safe births.
Qi Niang Ma: Worshiped mainly in Guangdong, Hong Kong and other regions, Qi Niang Ma is the general name of the seven goddesses, often believed to protect children and help solve life's difficulties.
The deities enshrined in these Niangniang temples exemplify the reverence for female deities in Chinese folk beliefs, as well as the importance attached to life, fertility, family, and maritime safety. Each deity has its own unique background of legends and beliefs, and is revered and prayed for.
Three. What did the owner of the Niangniang Temple ask for
Niangniang Temple is a temple dedicated to goddesses and goddesses related to women, and the content of prayers varies depending on the deity enshrined at Niangniang Temple. Here are some common prayers:
Asking for a child: In the Niangniang temple dedicated to the Niangniang who sent the child (e.g., Cihang Zhenren), the most common prayer is to seek the blessing of the gods in order to conceive and have children, especially for couples who are facing fertility difficulties.
Pray for peace: In some Niang Niang temples, people pray for the safety and health of families and individuals, especially women and children. For example, in the Mazu Temple, fishermen and seafarers often pray for safety at sea and smooth sailing.
Marriage: In some women-oriented temples, single men and women may pray for a good marriage in the hope of finding a suitable partner.
Seeking Wealth: Although it is not the main function of the Niangniang Temple, in some areas, people will also pray for wealth and career success in the Niangniang Temple.
Seeking academic achievement: In some cultural temples, such as those dedicated to Emperor Wenchang (Wenchang Niangniang), students and seekers pray for academic progress and success in exams.
Pray for health: Pregnant women, in particular, will go to the temple to pray for health and safety during pregnancy and childbirth.
Seeking relief from misfortune: When faced with difficulties and misfortunes, people may go to the Niangniang Temple to pray for relief from difficulties and the elimination of diseases and misfortunes.
As a cultural phenomenon, Niangniang Temple embodies people's worship and belief in female deities, as well as the importance of life, health, family and safety. When going to the temple to pray, people usually bring incense candles, offerings, etc., to express their devotion and gratitude.
Four. The difference between Niangniang Temple and Grandma Temple
Niangniang Temple and Grandma Temple are both temples in Chinese folk beliefs, and the objects of worship are usually related to female gods or ancestors, but the two are different in the objects of worship, belief background and function.
1.Grandma's Temple.
Grandma temples are generally dedicated to local female gods or historical virtuous women, women among ancestors, etc., with strong local characteristics and ethnic characteristics. The "grandmothers" in the Grandma Temple are usually female elders or deities who are revered by the locals, and their images are closer to the people, more like the guardians of the family or village. The function of the grandmother's temple is often closely related to local customs, historical legends, etc., and may be more focused on blessing family harmony, crop harvest, healing diseases and saving people.
2.The difference between Niangniang Temple and Grandma Temple
Worship object: Niangniang Temple is dedicated to female deities with national or regional influence, while Grandma Temple is usually dedicated to local female gods or ancestors.
Religious background: The religious background of Niangniang Temple is often related to traditional Chinese religions (such as Taoism and Buddhism), while Grandma Temple is more reflective of local folk beliefs and reverence.
Function and function: The role of Niangniang Temple is relatively extensive, which can include seeking children, seeking wealth, seeking peace, etc.; The temple focuses more on the protection of the local community, family harmony, and agricultural harvests.
Although the two differ in some ways, they are both important parts of China's colorful folk beliefs and culture, reflecting the reverence and prayer for female deities.
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