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The Jade Emperor is one of the most important deities in traditional Chinese culture and religion and in Taoism. The Jade Emperor, known by many other names such as Heavenly Grandfather, Heavenly Duke, Jade Lord of of the Highest Emperor and Great Emperor of Jade, is considered the ruler of heaven and a manifestation of the first god.<br/><br/> In Taoist theology, he was originally known as Yuhuang, and was assistant to the first supreme administrator of Heaven, Yuanshi Tianzun. He took over after Yuanshi Tianzun stepped down, becoming overseer of both Heaven and Earth. In other origin stories, he was originally the crown prince of the kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments, and was kind and intelligent even in his youth. He was said to be benevolent and respectful to both men and creatures, and made sure everyone in the kingdom found peace and contentment after he ascended to the throne. He eventually left to cultivate Tao, and became Jade Emperor after over one hundred million years of cultivation and meditation.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor plays important roles in various Chinese folk tales and stories such as 'Journey to the West', and he is still worshipped in Taoist temples. Temples to the Jade Emperor can be found across China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, with celebrations on his 'birthday' every ninth day of the first lunar month.
'Journey to the West' is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published anonymously in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, its authorship has been ascribed to the scholar Wu Cheng'en since the 20th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey.<br/><br/> The novel is a fictionalised account of the legendary pilgrimage to India of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. The monk travelled to the Western Regions during the Tang dynasty, to obtain sacred texts (sÅ«tras). The Bodhisattva Guan Yin, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. These four characters have agreed to help Xuanzang as an atonement for past sins.<br/><br/> Zhangye is an important light industrial and agricultural centre at the heart of the Hexi Corridor with a population of about 200,000. It was originally an important garrison town designed to protect Silk Road traffic and keep the troublesome nomadic invaders out of China Proper.
'Journey to the West' is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published anonymously in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, its authorship has been ascribed to the scholar Wu Cheng'en since the 20th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey.<br/><br/> The novel is a fictionalised account of the legendary pilgrimage to India of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. The monk travelled to the Western Regions during the Tang dynasty, to obtain sacred texts (sÅ«tras). The Bodhisattva Guan Yin, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. These four characters have agreed to help Xuanzang as an atonement for past sins.<br/><br/> Zhangye is an important light industrial and agricultural centre at the heart of the Hexi Corridor with a population of about 200,000. It was originally an important garrison town designed to protect Silk Road traffic and keep the troublesome nomadic invaders out of China Proper.
'Journey to the West' is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published anonymously in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, its authorship has been ascribed to the scholar Wu Cheng'en since the 20th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey.<br/><br/> The novel is a fictionalised account of the legendary pilgrimage to India of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. The monk travelled to the Western Regions during the Tang dynasty, to obtain sacred texts (sÅ«tras). The Bodhisattva Guan Yin, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. These four characters have agreed to help Xuanzang as an atonement for past sins.<br/><br/> Zhangye is an important light industrial and agricultural centre at the heart of the Hexi Corridor with a population of about 200,000. It was originally an important garrison town designed to protect Silk Road traffic and keep the troublesome nomadic invaders out of China Proper.
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published anonymously in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, its authorship has been ascribed to the scholar Wu Cheng'en since the 20th century.<br/><br/> In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. The novel is a fictionalised account of the legendary pilgrimage to India of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. The monk travelled to the Western Regions during the Tang dynasty, to obtain sacred texts (sÅ«tras).<br/><br/> The Bodhisattva Guan Yin, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. These four characters have agreed to help Xuanzang as an atonement for past sins.
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Originally published anonymously in the 1590s during the Ming Dynasty, its authorship has been ascribed to the scholar Wu Cheng'en since the 20th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey.<br/><br/> The novel is a fictionalised account of the legendary pilgrimage to India of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. The monk travelled to the Western Regions during the Tang dynasty, to obtain sacred texts (sÅ«tras). The Bodhisattva Guan Yin, on instruction from the Buddha, gives this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who acts as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. These four characters have agreed to help Xuanzang as an atonement for past sins.
Japan: 'The Monkey King Blows Hair Away', woodblock print by Katsushika Taito II (active 1810-1853), 1836, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The Monkey King Sun Wukong is a mythological character in Chinese folk religion and literature. An important figure in various legends and stories, he is perhaps bestl known for his starring role in the 16th century classical novel 'Journey to the West'.
Mystery surrounds this colorful multi-tiered Chinese temple with some historians saying it dates back to the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It is commonly believed that a shrine was founded at this site by Chinese seafarers after they spotted a light reflecting from a cave, which they used as a makeshift lighthouse for navigation. The temple was built some time later, mainly for the use of Chinese pilgrims.<br/><br/> Ko Si Chang was occupied by the French in 1893 and was the summer retreat of several Siamese kings, including King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) whose wondrous teak palace was moved in 1901 from Ko Si Chang to its present location in Dusit Park in Bangkok. The island is also home to a rare species of white squirrel.