The Jade Emperor
| “ | Before the Jade Emperor, humans were just like the beasts in the field. We ate, lived and reproduced, but we were going nowhere. The universe is order in all its perfection, stagnant and unchanging. The wars set us free. Free to change, to learn, to adapt, to become more than we were. To do that, we sacrificed order for a measure of chaos, of challenge. It let some people, men and women, do evil, but even that inspired many more to do good. | „ |
| ~ G.R. Matthews, The Red Plains |
Yu Huang, also known as the Jade Emperor, in Chinese mythology is one of the representations of the first god.
Overview[]
In Taoist theology he is Yuanshi Tianzun, one of the Three Pure Ones, the three primordial emanations of the Tao. He is also the Cao Đài ("Highest Power") of Caodaism. The Jade Emperor is known by many names, including Heavenly Grandfather, which originally meant "Heavenly Duke", which is used by commoners; the Jade Lord the Highest Emperor, and Great Emperor of Jade.
History[]
Origins[]
It was said that the Jade Emperor was originally a mortal, the crown prince of the kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments. At birth, he emitted a wondrous light that filled the entire kingdom. When he was young, he was kind, intelligent and wise. He devoted his entire childhood to helping the needy (the poor and suffering, the deserted and single, the hungry and disabled). Furthermore, he showed respect and benevolence to both men and creatures. After his father died, he ascended the throne. He made sure that everyone in his kingdom found peace and contentment. After that, he told his ministers that he wished to cultivate Tao on the Bright and Fragrant Cliff.
Ascension to Godhood[]
In the time of Yu Huang, the Earth was a very difficult place to live, much harsher than it is now. People had to deal with a variety of monstrous beings, and they didn’t have many gods to protect them; in addition, many powerful demons defied the immortals of heaven. At this time, Yu Huang roamed the earth helping as many people as he could. He was saddened because his powers could only ease the suffering of humans, but not eliminate it. He would eventually retreat to a mountain cave to cultivate his Tao. He passed 3,200 trials, each trial lasting about 3 million years.
Simultaneously, a powerful, evil entity named Amatsu-Mikaboshi became filled with ambition to conquer the immortals and gods in heaven and proclaim sovereignty over the entire universe. This evil entity also went into retreat and meditation to expand its power, though began later than the Jade Emperor did. He passed through 3,000 trials, each trial lasting about 3 million years as well. After the final trial, he felt confident that no one could defeat him. He re-entered the world and amassed an army of demons with the purpose of attacking heaven, and though the gods fought fiercely to uphold cosmic order, one by one they all fell.
Yu Huang, having attained new levels of wisdom and completed his cultivation, saw an evil glow emitting from heaven and knew something was amiss. He ascended and saw that the evil entity was too powerful to be stopped by the gods. He challenged it, and they fought. Mountains shook and rivers and seas toppled. Due to his deeper and wiser cultivation of benevolence instead of might, the Jade Emperor was able to win the battle. After defeating the evil entity, its army was scattered by the gods and immortals. Because of his noble and benevolent deeds, the gods, immortals and humans proclaimed the Jade Emperor the supreme sovereign of all.
