Taoist Star God System

Taoism believes that stars are the essence of all things, and that the sun, moon, and celestial bodies each have their own deities and lords, and should not be offended. In its pantheon, star deities hold a very high position and are numerous. After reading this article, you will be able to understand the Taoist system of star deities.

The ancient people's worship of the sun, moon, and stars originated very early. The Records of the Grand Historian, Book of Feng and Shan, says: "Yong has temples for the sun, moon, stars, constellations, the Big Dipper, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, the Twenty-Eight Mansions... more than a hundred in total."

Taoism believes that stars are the essence of all things, and that the sun, moon, and stars each have their own deities and lords, and should not be offended. In the pantheon of gods, star deities hold a very high position and are numerous. Examples include the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets; the Star Lords of the Northern and Southern Dippers; the Star Lords of the Purple Palace Enclosure; the Star Lords of the Supreme Palace Enclosure; the Star Lords of the Heavenly Market Enclosure; and the Twenty-Eight Mansions Star Lords. They are respectively under the jurisdiction of the Purple Palace, the Heavenly Emperor, and the Dipper Goddess.

Taoism regards the sun as the great god of light, called the Sun Emperor, who resides in the Dongyang Yuyi Palace. He emerges from Yanggu in the morning and sets in the western mountains at dusk, illuminating the six directions and bringing harmony to all things. The moon is regarded as the god of night, called the Moon Empress, who resides in the Dongyin Guanghan Palace and governs the Five Sacred Mountains, the Four Great Rivers, the Five Lakes, the Four Seas, and the Twelve Streams.

The sun, moon, and five planets together are called the Seven Luminaries. The five planets are Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn, also known as the Lords of Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn. The *Taishang Dongzhen Wuxing Mishou Jing* mentions: The True Lord of Wood Virtue in the East causes all things to grow; the True Lord of Metal Virtue in the West causes all things to gather; the True Lord of Fire Virtue in the South causes all things to flourish; the True Lord of Water Virtue in the North causes all things to circulate; and the True Lord of Earth Virtue in the Center governs the four seasons and nurtures all things.