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The Wǔfāng Shàngdì,or simply Wǔdì or Wǔshén are,in Chinese canonical texts and common Chinese religion,the fivefold manifestation of the supreme God of Heaven. This theology dates back at least to the Shang dynasty. Described as the "five changeable faces of Heaven",they represent Heaven's cosmic activity which shapes worlds as tán 壇,"altars",imitating its order which is visible in the starry vault,the north celestial pole and its spinning constellations. The Five Deities themselves represent these constellations. In accordance with the Three Powers they have a celestial,a terrestrial and a chthonic form. The Han Chinese identify themselves as the descendants of the Red and Yellow Deities.
Chunshe,or Spring Community Day,is a traditional folk festival originating from China. During the Shang dynasty and the Western Zhou,it was a carnival where lovers could date. Gradually,it became a sacrifice ritual to appease/in honour of Tudishen. People usually celebrate this festival on the fifth Wu Day after Lichun,which is near Chunfen. According to folklore,the date could be February 2,February 8,February 12 or February 15 based on the lunar calendar.
Opera with divine powers (酬神戲) is a form of Chinese opera played at religious ceremonies,including for the gods' birthday,temple opening,at miaohui,ghost festival,Daijiao,and traditional festivals. It is the play performed to welcome the gods' race and is one of a series of celebrations held by the people to thank the gods and reward them for their blessings. Usually performed at temple fairs or theatres. In Guangdong,it is mostly called Shen Gong Xi(神功戲),and in China,in the north,it is mostly called She Xi社戏(the word "She" in the word "She Xi" refers to the place where the Sheshen was worshiped in the old days,and there is another saying that the word "She" was a small unit in the ancient region,and the drama was performed in the She,which was called She drama）。On birthdays,where this form of opera is played,are those of the gods:Xuanwu,Guan Yu,Dragon King,Mazu,Shanshen,City God,and Tudigong.
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Citations
- ↑ Envisioning eternal empire: Chinese political thought of the Warring States era
- ↑ Yang, C. K. Religion in Chinese Society : A Study of Contemporary Social Functions of Religion and Some of Their Historical Factors (1967 [1961]). Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. page 97
- ↑ A comparative study of thirty city states
- ↑ Hymes: Way and Byway (Google Books)
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