Fire Gods

Gods of Fire in China

There existed a substantial number of deities linked with fire in China, and it was customary for most communities to venerate a local fire god.

Fire God Celebrations

Annually, in the eighth month of the Chinese CALENDAR, extensive celebrations dedicated to the fire god were observed. Streets adorned with lanterns and lamps served as a tribute to the deity, and fervent prayers were offered in the aspiration of averting potential fires.

SHEN NONG: The Fire God

At times, SHEN NONG earned the titles of the "Fire God" or "Fire Emperor," potentially due to the belief that his imperial sign symbolized fire. This figure is sometimes mistaken for YAN DI, known as the Flame Emperor, an early mythological persona.

HUO BU and LUO XUAN

In later Chinese mythology, HUO BU, the Chinese equivalent of the ministry of fire (refer to MINISTRIES OF GODS), was overseen by the god LUO XUAN, identified as the "Stellar Sovereign of Fire Virtue." This deity managed five assistants, equated with early Chinese ministers of the ZHOU DYNASTY or preceding eras.

Varied Depictions of LUO XUAN

Artistic representations of LUO XUAN differ, portraying him at times as a creature with a human face, featuring a third eye positioned in the center of his forehead, and accompanied by two DRAGONS. Alternatively, he is depicted with a human body, a fierce, red countenance, and a third eye. Frequently, he or his attendants are illustrated holding diverse symbols connected with fire, such as a pair of birds, a round fire wheel or fireball emitting sparks, a fiery serpent, a fan with a fiery plume, and a writing tool with a pad for recording locations destined for destruction.