Chong Heihu

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Chong Heihu

Chong Heihu (Chinese: 崇黑虎; pinyin: Chóng Hēihǔ; Heihu literally means black tiger) is a character in the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi. He is the younger brother of Chong Houhu, the Grand Duke of the North.[1][2]

Legend[edit]

Chong Heihu had a distinctive appearance, often seen wearing a Nine-Cloud-Burning-Flame helmet, a jade belt, a bright red robe, and golden chain mail. He had a long red beard and eyes that resembled two golden bells. He was also armed with dual golden axes, which added to his fearsome reputation for being exceptionally skilled.[3]

During Chong Houhu's third retreat, Chong Heihu arrived from the Cao region with a contingent of three thousand flying tiger soldiers to offer assistance. Eventually, Chong Heihu and his elder brother approached the city gate of Ji province. However, Chong Heihu's intention was merely to have a conversation with his old friend, Su Hu. Instead, he encountered Su Hu's son, Su Quanzhong, who expressed discontent and confronted Chong Heihu with harsh words. In response, Chong Heihu raised his legendary golden axes to assert his authority and put Quanzhong in his place.

To Chong Heihu's surprise, Quanzhong displayed exceptional skill with his spear during their ensuing battle. Impressed, Chong Heihu decided to retreat, and Quanzhong pursued him relentlessly. Taking advantage of the situation, Chong Heihu unleashed a legendary magical gourd that he carried on his back (a gift from a superior). In an instant, black smoke billowed out from the gourd, obscuring the sun. Chong Heihu also summoned a sacred eagle to aid him. He knocked Quanzhong off his horse and successfully captured him.

After some time, the famous crow commander Zheng Lun appeared before the camp of Chong Heihu and challenged him to battle. Chong Heihu responded sharply, saying, "How dare you make such audacious remarks, man! Your master, who has rebelled against the king, will face severe punishment with his body crushed and bones pulverized. You, my friend, will suffer the same fate!" This incident showcased Chong Heihu's reputation and prowess in his encounter with Zheng Lun.[3]

Zheng Lun, a remarkable individual destined for greatness, quickly recognized the magical potential of Chong Heihu's large gourd. He unleashed two powerful jets of smoke from his nostrils, which knocked Chong Heihu unconscious and caused him to fall from his saddle. Once captured, Chong Heihu shared a drink with his old friend Su Hu. When Ji Chang intervened and ended the coalition through a simple letter, Chong Heihu returned to his region while expressing deep respect and gratitude.[3]

Chong Heihu was appointed as the deity of Nanyue Emperor (南岳大帝), one of the Five Sacred Emperor Gods, in the end.[4]

Worship[edit]

The Great Emperor of Five Mountains

Chong Heihu is worshipped in Chinese folk religion and known as the Nanyue Dadi (Nanyue Emperor, 南岳大帝), one of the Five Sacred Mountain Gods. In Fengshen Yanyi, it is mentioned that Huang Feihu, Chong Heihu, Wenpin, Cui Ying, and Jiang Xiong met their demise at the hands of Zhang Kui during the battle. Following their death, they were revered as the Five Sacred Emperors. In Chinese folk belief, the Five Mountains Emperors are highly respected, with Dongyue Dadi being particularly esteemed. When enshrining the Gods of the Five Sacred Mountains, it is customary to position Dongyue Huang Feihu at the center, while Nanyue Chong Heihu and Zhongyue Wenpin are placed on both sides.[5] The Nanyue Temple, located in Banqiao District, Taiwan, is dedicated to Chong Heihu, the great emperor of Nanyue. Each year, the birthday festival is celebrated on December 16 to honor his legacy.[6][7][8]

Nanyue Hengshan, situated in Hengshan County, Hunan Province, boasts 72 peaks, with the main peak, Zhurong Peak, rising 1290 meters above sea level. At the foot of Nanyue Mountain, there is the main temple dedicated to the Nanyue Emperor.[9]

In popular culture[edit]

Further information: List of media adaptations of the Investiture of the Gods
  • Chong Heihu paper-cutting, a captivating art form originating from Yuxian County, draws its inspiration from the vibrant facial makeup of Chong Heihu in the traditional opera "Sishuiguan". This distinctive style of paper-cutting showcases intricate designs and is highly regarded for its cultural value.[10]
  • The story of Chong Heihu is depicted in the Yiqiang Sangsidiao Opera.[11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pin Wan, Pin (1987). Investiture of the gods ("Fengshen yanyi"): Sources, narrative structure, and mythical significance (PhD). University of Washington. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  2. ^ Kao, Karl S. Y. (2002). "Domains of Moral Discourse: Self, History, and Fantasy in "Fengshen yanyi"". Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews (CLEAR). 24: 75–97. doi:10.2307/823477. JSTOR 823477.
  3. ^ a b c 封神演義（封神榜）: 媲美哈利波特的超凡想像力，更勝哈利波的曲折鬥法 (in Chinese). 谷月社. 28 April 2015.
  4. ^ Fengshen Yanyi Chapter 99.
  5. ^ 《聊齋志異》箋證初編 (in Chinese). 天津人民出版社. 1 January 2019. ISBN 978-7-201-15573-9. 《封神演义》中写到黄飞虎、崇黑虎、闻聘、崔英、蒋雄五人战混池时被张奎杀害,死后被封为五岳大帝。中国民间五岳信仰以东岳为尊,供奉五岳时一般以东岳黄飞虎居中,南岳崇黑虎与中岳闻聘列于两侧 [In "Fengshen Yanyi," it is mentioned that Huang Feihu, Chong Heihu, Wenpin, Cui Ying, and Jiang Xiong met their demise at the hands of Zhang Kui during their battle with Hunchi. Following their death, they were revered as the Five Sacred Emperors. In Chinese folk belief, the Five Mountains are highly respected, with Dongyue being particularly esteemed. When enshrining the Gods of the Five Sacred Mountains, it is customary to position Dongyue Huang Feihu at the center, while Nanyue Chong Heihu and Zhongyue Wenpin are placed on both sides.
  6. ^ 海棠荣昌 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 December 2013. ISBN 978-7-229-07140-0. 南岳庙,祀南岳大帝曹州侯崇黑虎,会期十二月十六日,位于县城东郊,原坐落于板桥处。[The Nanyue Temple in Banqiao, is dedicated to the black tiger Chong Heihu, the revered emperor of Nanyue. The annual celebration in honor of Chong Heihu will take place on December 16th.}
  7. ^ 后土地母信仰研究 [Research on the Belief of Houdi Mother] (in Chinese). 新文豐出版股份有限公司. 1 December 2015. ISBN 978-957-17-2226-9. 姜子牙歸國封神》說在滅紂天下歸周之後,姜子牙築封神臺,奉元始天尊勅令,「特勅封爾(黃飛虎)為東岳泰山天齊仁聖大帝之職,總管天地人間吉凶禍福」,「特勅封爾崇黑虎為南岳衡山司天昭聖大帝,特勅封爾聞聘為中岳嵩山中天崇聖大帝,特勅封爾崔英為北岳恆山安天 ...
  8. ^ 中国一百神仙图 [One Hundred Immortals in China] (in Chinese). 新世纪出版社. 1990. ISBN 978-7-5405-0491-5. 南岳大帝名叫崇黑虎,又称「南岳衡山司天始圣大帝」,诞辰为十二月十六日。[Nanyue Emperor's name is Chong Heihu, also known as "Nanyue Hengshan Sitianshisheng Emperor", and his birthday is December 16.]
  9. ^ 中国道敎 (in Chinese). 五洲传播出版社. 2004. ISBN 978-7-5085-0401-8. ... 南岳神"南岳司天昭圣帝"也就是祝融,供奉南岳大帝的主庙"南岳大庙"位于南岳山下,始建于唐开元13 年(公元725 年) ,经历代修葺扩建, ...
  10. ^ 中国脸谱剪纸经典 [Chinese face paper cutting classic] (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 January 2018. ISBN 978-7-5507-2202-6. 彩色大脸谱·司马师/蔚县老剪纸崇黑虎剪纸取材传统剧目《汜水关》人物脸谱。[Chong Heihu paper-cutting, a captivating art form originating from Yuxian County, draws its inspiration from the vibrant facial makeup of Chong Heihu in the traditional opera "Sishuiguan". This distinctive style of paper-cutting showcases intricate designs and is highly regarded for its cultural value.]
  11. ^ 中国戏曲脸谱艺术. 江西美术出版社. 1993. ISBN 978-7-80580-121-6.

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