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In East Asian mythology, Yama is a <i>dharmapala</i> (wrathful god) and King of Hell. It is his duty to judge the dead and rule over the various hells and purgatories, presiding over the cycle of <i>samsara</i> (cyclic, circuitous change). Yama has spread from being a Hindu god to finding roles in Buddhism as well as in Chinese, Korean and Japanese mythology.<br/><br/> Yama's role in Theravada Buddhism is vague and not well defined, though he is still a caretaker of hell and the dead. He judges those who die to determine if they are to be reborn to earth, to the heavens or to the hells. Sometimes there are more than one Yama, each presiding over one of the distinct hells. In Tibetan Buddhism, Yama is seen as a guardian of spiritual practice, and regarded with horror for his role in the cycle of death and rebirth.<br/><br/> In Chinese mythology, and similar stories in Korea and Japan, he is primarily known as either Yanluo or King Yan, and is the god of death and overseer of the Ten Kings of Hell. He is portrayed as a large man with bulging eyes, a long beard and a scowling red face. He is both ruler and judge of the underworld, and is always found alongside his two guardians, Ox-Head and Horse-Face. Those spirits who do good are rewarded, while those who have sinned are punished and tortured.
In East Asian mythology, Yama is a <i>dharmapala</i> (wrathful god) and King of Hell. It is his duty to judge the dead and rule over the various hells and purgatories, presiding over the cycle of <i>samsara</i> (cyclic, circuitous change). Yama has spread from being a Hindu god to finding roles in Buddhism as well as in Chinese, Korean and Japanese mythology.<br/><br/> Yama's role in Theravada Buddhism is vague and not well defined, though he is still a caretaker of hell and the dead. He judges those who die to determine if they are to be reborn to earth, to the heavens or to the hells. Sometimes there are more than one Yama, each presiding over one of the distinct hells. In Tibetan Buddhism, Yama is seen as a guardian of spiritual practice, and regarded with horror for his role in the cycle of death and rebirth.<br/><br/> In Chinese mythology, and similar stories in Korea and Japan, he is primarily known as either Yanluo or King Yan, and is the god of death and overseer of the Ten Kings of Hell. He is portrayed as a large man with bulging eyes, a long beard and a scowling red face. He is both ruler and judge of the underworld, and is always found alongside his two guardians, Ox-Head and Horse-Face. Those spirits who do good are rewarded, while those who have sinned are punished and tortured.
The Tay Ho Pagoda is dedicated to the Mother Goddess and is believed to date from the 17th century CE. The Mother Goddess, also known as Princess Lieu Hanh, is one of The Four Immortals of Thanism (a Vietnamese folk religion practised by about 45% of the population).<br/><br/> Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Vietnamese ancestor veneration.
Huang Feihu, originally known as Prince Wucheng of the Shang Dynasty, was a fictional character from the Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. Born to a family of officials who had served the Shang Dynasty for seven generations, Huang Feihu was granted the title of 'Prince Wucheng Who Guards the Kingdom', while his younger sister was a concubine of cruel King Zhou of Shang.<br/><br/> King Zhou, corrupted and bewitched by the vixen spirit Su Daji, starts to lust after Huang Feihu's wife, Lady Jia. He tries to rape her, but Lady Jia commits suicide to preserve her dignity. Consort Huang, Huang Feihu's sister, scolds King Zhou for his wicked ways, resulting in him throwing her off Zhaixing Tower to her death in anger. When Huang Feihu learns the truth, he defects to the vassal state of Xiqi, precursor of the Zhou Dynasty, bringing along his family and followers.<br/><br/> When Ji Fa, the future King Wu of Zhou, leads a campaign to overthrow the Shang Dynasty, Huang Feihu fights under him in various battles. He is eventually killed during the Battle of Mianchi at the hands of General Zhang Kui. The sage Jiang Ziya deifies him at the end of the novel, making him the leader of the rulers of the Five Sacred Mountains, tasked with overseeing the fate and fortunes of mortals, as well as watching over the Eighteen Levels of Hell.
<i>Naraka</i> (Sanskrit; Pali: <i>Niraya</i>) is a term in Buddhist cosmology usually referred to in English as 'hell'. The <i>Naraka</i> of Buddhism is closely related to <i>Diyu</i>, the hell of Chinese mythology.<br/><br/> A <i>Naraka</i> differs from the hell of Christianity in two respects: firstly, beings are not sent to <i>Naraka</i> as the result of a divine judgment and punishment; secondly, the length of a being's stay in a <i>Naraka</i> is not eternal, though it is usually very long.
Zoroaster (Old Persian: Zarathustra, in modern Persian Zardosht) is generally thought to have lived about the 11th or 10th century BCE. Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Zoroaster as prophet. The term Zoroastrianism is, in general usage, essentially synonymous with Mazdaism (the worship of Ahura Mazda, exalted by Zoroaster as the supreme divine authority).<br/><br/> In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil originates from Him. Thus, in Zoroastrianism good and evil have distinct sources, with evil (druj) trying to destroy the creation of Mazda (asha), and good trying to sustain it. In some form, it served as the national- or state religion of a significant portion of the Iranian people for many centuries.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.<br/><br/>Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
The Second Indochina War, known in America as the Vietnam War, was a Cold War era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the U.S. and other anti-communist nations. The U.S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam and part of their wider strategy of containment.<br/><br/> The North Vietnamese government viewed the war as a colonial war, fought initially against France, backed by the U.S., and later against South Vietnam, which it regarded as a U.S. puppet state. U.S. military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U.S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962. U.S. combat units were deployed beginning in 1965. Operations spanned borders, with Laos and Cambodia heavily bombed. Involvement peaked in 1968 at the time of the Tet Offensive.<br/><br/> U.S. military involvement ended on 15 August 1973. The capture of Saigon by the North Vietnamese army in April 1975 marked the end of the US-Vietnam War.
The Beatus of León is an 11th century illuminated manuscript of the Commentary on the Apocalypse by Beatus of Liébana. The manuscript was made for King Ferdinand 1 (c.1015-1065) and Queen Sancha of León. It contains 98 miniatures painted by Facundus. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament.
The Matsu Temple in Tainan is dedicated to Matsu, goddess of the sea. Mazu (Wade–Giles: Matsu, Vietnamese: Ma To) is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors, and is invoked as the patron saint of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons.<br/><br/> Born as Lin Moniang in Fujian around 960 CE, worship of Mazu began around the Ming Dynasty, when many temples dedicated to her were erected all across Mainland China, later spreading to other countries with Overseas Chinese populations.<br/><br/> Mazu is widely worshipped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and neighbouring areas in Southeast Asia, especially Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, and Vietnam, all of which have strong sea-faring traditions, as well as migrant communities elsewhere with sizeable populations from these areas.<br/><br/> Mazu also has a significant influence on East Asian sea culture, especially in China and Taiwan.<br/><br/> Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. The town was initially established by the Dutch East India Company as a ruling and trading base called Fort Zeelandia during the period of Dutch rule on Taiwan. After Dutch colonists were defeated by Koxinga in 1661, Tainan remained as the capital of the Tungning Kingdom until 1683 and afterwards the capital of Taiwan prefecture under the rule of the Qing Dynasty until 1887, when the new provincial capital was moved to Taipei.
The Matsu Temple in Tainan is dedicated to Matsu, goddess of the sea. Mazu (Wade–Giles: Matsu, Vietnamese: Ma To) is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors, and is invoked as the patron saint of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons.<br/><br/> Born as Lin Moniang in Fujian around 960 CE, worship of Mazu began around the Ming Dynasty, when many temples dedicated to her were erected all across Mainland China, later spreading to other countries with Overseas Chinese populations.<br/><br/> Mazu is widely worshipped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and neighbouring areas in Southeast Asia, especially Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, and Vietnam, all of which have strong sea-faring traditions, as well as migrant communities elsewhere with sizeable populations from these areas.<br/><br/> Mazu also has a significant influence on East Asian sea culture, especially in China and Taiwan.<br/><br/> Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. The town was initially established by the Dutch East India Company as a ruling and trading base called Fort Zeelandia during the period of Dutch rule on Taiwan. After Dutch colonists were defeated by Koxinga in 1661, Tainan remained as the capital of the Tungning Kingdom until 1683 and afterwards the capital of Taiwan prefecture under the rule of the Qing Dynasty until 1887, when the new provincial capital was moved to Taipei.
This print, by Kyōsai, depicts a variation of the Jigoku Dayu tale. One day, when the monk Ikkyū came to the brothel, he sat to enjoy a meal of fresh fish and sake, which are forbidden to Buddhist monks. Jigoku Dayu, with her sharp mind, assumed that this person was an imposter claiming to be the famous Ikkyū.<br/><br/> She summoned entertainment for him, and hid behind her screen to watch him. When she looked, she saw Ikkyū happily dancing along with skeletons, and knew that he was who he said he was.<br/><br/> This can be interpreted in a number of ways: Ikkyū is famous for reminding everyone of the inevitability of death with his skull-stick, and had commented often that under our skins which we so earnestly protect, is only a skeleton which will one day be all that is left of us.<br/><br/>
Commentary on the Apocalypse (Commentaria In Apocalypsin) was originally an eighth century work by the Spanish monk and theologian Beatus of Liébana. Today, it refers to any of the extant manuscript copies of this work, especially any of the 26 illuminated copies that have survived. It is often referred to simply as the Beatus. The historical significance of the Commentary is made even more pronounced since it included a world map, which offers a rare insight into the geographical understanding of the post-Roman world. Well-known copies include the Morgan, the Saint-Sever, the Gerona, the Osma and the Madrid (Vitr 14-1) Beatus codices.<br/><br/> Considered together, the Beatus codices are among the most important Spanish medieval manuscripts and have been the subject of extensive scholarly and antiquarian enquiry.
Sir Richard Carnac Temple, 2nd Baronet CB, CIE (15 October 1850 – 3 March 1931) was the British Chief Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an anthropological writer.<br/><br/><i>The Thirty-Seven Nats</i> is a highly illustrated study of animism in Burma, published in 1906.
Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai – Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign of Chao Phuttawong (r.1826-1846), the fourth ruler of the Chiang Mai Thipchang Dynasty. The murals, which are northern Thai in style with clear elements of Shan State and Konbaung Dynasty Burmese influence, are among the best in northern Thailand. They feature the jataka stories, past lives of the Buddha, and are interspersed with vernacular scenes from everyday early 19th century northern Thai life.
The Mogao Caves, or Mogao Grottoes (Chinese: mò gāo kū), also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas and Dunhuang Caves, form a system of 492 temples 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China.<br/><br/> The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years. The first caves were dug out 366 AD as places of Buddhist meditation and worship. The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are one of the three famous ancient sculptural sites of China. The caves also have famous wall paintings.
Wat Phumin was constructed in 1596 and is famous for its cruciform viharn ubosot (many temples in the Nan area combine these two buildings into one) and well preserved Tai Lue murals depicting everyday life in the 19th century.<br/><br/> Nan dates from the mid-14th century and for much of its history was an isolated kingdom. The present day city spreads out along the Nan River's right bank.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
The Naxi or Nakhi are an ethnic group inhabiting the foothills of the Himalayas in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province, as well as the southwestern part of Sichuan Province in China. The Naxi are thought to have come originally from Tibet and, until recently, maintained overland trading links with Lhasa and India. The Naxi form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. The Naxi are traditionally followers of the Dongba religion. Through both Han Chinese and Tibetan cultural influences, they adopted Tibetan Buddhism and, to a lesser extent, Taoism, in the 10th century.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Shadow play (Chinese: 皮影戏, pí yĭng xì) or shadow puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment using opaque, often articulated figures in front of an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images. It is popular in various cultures. At present, more than 20 countries are known to have shadow show troupes.<br/><br/>Shadow puppetry originated during the Han Dynasty when one of the concubines of Emperor Wu of Han died from an illness. The emperor was devastated, and he summoned his court officers to bring his beloved back to life. The officers made a shape of the concubine using donkey leather. Her joints were animated using 11 separate pieces of the leather, and adorned with painted clothes. Using an oil lamp they made her shadow move, bringing her back to life. Shadow theatre became quite popular as early as the Song Dynasty when holidays were marked by the presentation of many shadow plays. During the Ming Dynasty there were 40 to 50 shadow show troupes in the city of Beijing alone. In the 13th century, the shadow show became a regular recreation in the barracks of the Mongolian troops. It was spread by the conquering Mongols to distant countries like Persia, Arabia, and Turkey. Later, it was introduced to other Southeastern Asian countries.<br/><br/>The earliest shadow theatre screens were made of mulberry paper. The storytellers generally used the art to tell events between various war kingdoms or stories of Buddhist sources. Today, puppets made of leather and moved on sticks are used to tell dramatic versions of traditional fairy tales and myths. In Gansu province, it is accompanied by Daoqing music, while in Jilin, accompanying Huanglong music forms some of the basis of modern opera.
Hell bank notes are a form of joss paper printed to resemble modern bank notes. Hell bank notes are not an official currency or legal tender anywhere in this world. They are intended to be burnt in Chinese ancestor veneration. Hell bank notes are known for their large denominations, ranging from $10,000 to several billions, and usually bear an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Daoism, with his signature (romanized as Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) and the signature of Yanluo, King of Hell. There is usually an image of the Bank of Hell on the back of the bill.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist.<br/><br/> Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 km long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.<br/><br/> Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious building. The temple provides the perfect legacy for classical Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
Chua Ngoc Hoang or ‘Pagoda of the Jade Emperor’ was built in 1909, this is a spectacularly colourful Chinese temple dedicated to Ngoc Huang, Jade Emperor of the Taoist pantheon.<br/><br/> The Jade Emperor is the Daoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to Daoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In Daoist belief, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.
The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems primarily preserved in the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius.<br/><br/> Together with Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda is the most important extant source on Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legends.
Wat Phra nang Sang was founded in the 19th century by a local lady of good family, hence the name, phra nang sang, meaning ‘built by the revered lady’. Her real name seems to have been forgotten. According to local lore, she travelled to Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage and, to give thanks on her safe return, she sponsored the building of this temple. Later she fell foul of a local ruler who ordered her head cut off, only to find her blood flowed white with purity.
Wat Phra nang Sang was founded in the 19th century by a local lady of good family, hence the name, phra nang sang, meaning ‘built by the revered lady’. Her real name seems to have been forgotten. According to local lore, she travelled to Sri Lanka on a pilgrimage and, to give thanks on her safe return, she sponsored the building of this temple. Later she fell foul of a local ruler who ordered her head cut off, only to find her blood flowed white with purity.