Yu Shi
Yu Shi (traditional Chinese: 雨師; simplified Chinese: 雨师; pinyin: Yǔ Shī; literally: "Master of Rain") is a Chinese spirit or god of rain, also known as or conflated with Red Pine (Chisong, 赤松, or, Chisongzi -- Master Red Pine), among other names. Translations of Yu Shi into English include "Lord of Rain" and "Leader of Rain".
As Yu Shi[edit]
Yu Shi in popular religion in China and Chinese mythology generally appears in association with Feng Bo, the god of the wind.[1] There are both current religious activities and historical mythical stories associated with Yu Shi. Various references in poetry and popular culture also exist, for example in the Chu ci poem "Yuan You".
As Chisongzi[edit]
According to certain versions, a certain Chisongzi (Chinese: 赤松子; pinyin: Chìsōngzǐ; Wade–Giles: Chhih Sung-tzu; literally: "Viscount Red Pine") during the reign of Shennong ended a severe drought by sprinkling water from an earthen bowl and was rewarded by being made the Lord of Rain with a dwelling on the mythical Kunlun Mountain.[2]
In another form, Chi Songzi is depicted as a chrysalis of a silkworm, who has a concubine whose face is black, holds a snake in each hand, and has a red snake coming out of one ear and a green snake coming out of the other.[3]
Historical myths[edit]
Yu Shi (together with Feng Bo) is said to have aided Chiyou in his struggle against the Yellow Emperor, but was defeated by the intervention of the drought goddess Ba.[4]
Current[edit]
Yu Shi is worshiped by Han Chinese, Maonan people, and other people in modern southwest China as an important rain god, with ritual prayer ceremonies performed to entreat for rain.[5]
See also[edit]
- Battle of Zhuolu
- Chinese mythology
- Feng Bo
- Meng Haoran
- Nuba (Chinese mythology)
- Shangyang (rainbird), a mythical one-legged bird
- Shennong
- The Legend of Wong Tai Sin
- Wong Tai Sin
- Yinglong
- Yuan You
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- Christie, Anthony (1968). Chinese Mythology. Feltham: Hamlyn Publishing. ISBN 0600006379.
- Yang, Lihui, et al. (2005). Handbook of Chinese Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-533263-6
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