Cheng Bohan
12/03/2024
Wenchang DiJun, 文昌帝君, The Emperor of Literary Grace，also known as the Wenchang Star, is located within the constellation Ursa Major. Among the six stars, the current position of the first star is unknown, while the remaining five stars are υ UMa, φ UMa, θ UMa, 15 UMa, and 18 UMa. In Daoism, it is believed to preside over matters of education, examinations, work, careers, health, and literature. He’s birthday is Third Day of the Second Month in Chinese Lunar Calendar. 二月初三
According to Chinese folklore, the Wenchang DiJun is believed to manifest as Zhang Yazi, also known as Zhang Yu, a native person of Sichuan. He declared himself the King of Shu蜀王 during the second year of the Ningkang era in the Eastern Jin Dynasty东晋宁康二年 (374 AD) and died in battle while resisting the aggression of the Former Qin ruler Fu Jian苻坚. To honor Zhang Yu, a temple was built on Seven-Curve Mountain in Zitong County梓潼郡七曲山, Shu, where he was revered as the Dragon King of Thunderous Marsh雷泽龙王. Later, the temples of Zhang Yu and the deity Yazi, an native God from Zitong County, on the same mountain were merged, and Zhang Yu came to be known as Zhang Yazi.
Throughout history, emperors have shown great reverence for the Wenchang DiJun. During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Xizong, while seeking refuge from the An Lushan Rebellion安史之乱 in Sichuan, their army fell ill due to the local climate. Emperor Xuanzong dreamt of the Wenchang DiJun providing a prescription to cure the army, and after their recovery, he bestowed titles upon the Wenchang DiJun, such as "Left Prime Minister"左丞相 and "King of Jishun,"济顺王 and paid homage to him as an emperor. From then on, Zhang Yazi's status soared, being revered alongside Confucius as "Confucius of the North and Wenchang of the South."
Subsequently, the emperors of the Song Dynasty also conferred titles upon Zhang Yazi, such as "King of Loyalty, Culture, Benevolence, Martial Valor, Filial Piety, and Virtue" and "King of Outstanding Virtue,"忠文仁武孝德圣烈王 "King of Divine Culture, Holy Valor, Filial Piety, and Virtue,"神文圣武孝德忠义王 among others. Emperor Renzong of the Yuan Dynasty further elevated Zhang Yazi to the position of "Emperor of Assisting the Origin, Opening up Culture, Overseeing Merits, and Grand Benevolence."辅元开化文昌司禄宏仁帝君
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Wenchang DiJun continued to be highly revered. All scholars and officials throughout the country visited the temple of the Wenchang DiJun, and numerous temples were constructed to honor him.
Throughout history, scholars from various backgrounds, including Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, have deeply admired the Wenchang DiJun.
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