Taiyang Dijun | Ti ChÜn
- Taiyang Dijun's diverse roles: Father of Sun and Moon, ancestor of artisans and musicians.
- Debates among scholars regarding Taiyang Dijun's true identity.
- Mythological traditions depicting familial ties with suns, moons, and celestial responsibilities.
- Varied connections to historical figures, including General Xu Gai.
- Tang Dynasty's origin, rebellion, and archaeological evidence supporting Shang Dynasty's existence.
- Legendary battles and strategy of Tang the Conqueror against King Chieh.
- Mythical monster Taodie symbolizing gluttony, appearing in art as a head-only creature.
Unraveling the Mysteries of a Supreme Deity and Ancestral Figure
Taiyang Dijun in the Classic of Mountains and Seas
According to the ancient text known as the CLASSIC OF MOUNTAINS AND SEAS, Taiyang Dijun holds the position of a supreme deity and is recognized as the father of both the SUN and MOON. However, there are conflicting accounts depicting him as the progenitor of artisans and musicians, sparking scholarly debates. In a well-known tradition, Taiyang Dijun is acknowledged as the father of ten suns and the husband of XIHE, the mother of these celestial bodies. Additionally, he is credited as the father of twelve moons and the spouse of their mother, CHANGXI. Taiyang Dijun is also linked to being the sole bird of PARADISE, guarding the EMPEROR’s altar. Notably, he provided arrows and a bow to YI, enabling him to shoot down the suns. Furthermore, Taiyang Dijun possesses a vast BAMBOO grove, where the plants are so colossal that each can serve as an individual boat.
Varied Depictions and Connections
Diverse mythological interpretations associate Taiyang Dijun with different aspects. Some scholars connect him to General Xu Gai from the ZHOU DYNASTY, while he is also referred to as "the God of the Eastern Sky." Despite the surviving references indicating his significance in prehistoric times, Taiyang Dijun seems to have been displaced or forgotten for reasons yet to be determined.
Tang Dynasty Origins and Rebellion
The TANG DYNASTY (618–907) succeeded the SUI DYNASTY, initiated by Li Yuan, a former government official under the Sui rulers. Li rebelled as the Sui rule collapsed, declaring himself emperor in 618. The dynasty's name originates from Li's fief in Shansi. Rebellion and turmoil persisted until approximately 627, when the Tang dynasty emerged victorious.
Tang the Conqueror and Legendary Battles
Tang, the mythical founder of the SHANG DYNASTY, overcame KING CHIEH, the last ruler of the XIA DYNASTY, with the assistance of his counselor, YI YIN. Legendary accounts describe Tang's strategy, including a staged conflict with Yi Yin and battles where he wielded a large ax. Tang's final victory led to the exile of Chieh, who was reported to have died on Nanchao Mountain. While the tales of Tang the Conqueror are legendary, archaeological evidence substantiates the existence of the Shang dynasty.
Mythical Monster Taodie
The TAODIE (T’AO-T’IEH) is a mythical Chinese monster characterized by having a head but no body, symbolizing gluttony. This creature appears in various art forms as a mask, representing its distinctive features.