Che Kung

Statue of Che Kung inside the Tin Hau temple at Stanley, Hong Kong.

Che Kung (Chinese: 車公; pinyin: Chēgōng; literally: "Lord Che"), also known as Che Da Yuan Shuai (車大元帥; "Che, the Great Warrior") was originally a military commander of Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), who, according to lore, had supreme power to suppress rebellion and was renowned for his loyalty to the Emperor.[1] He was also famous for his power to suppress plagues and his skill in medicine.[2] He is believed by some worshipers to have been involved in the attempt to keep the Song state alive by bringing Prince Ping and his brother to the South.[3] He is now considered a god of protection.

Life

A Che Kung Temple in Ho Chung, Sai Kung, Hong Kong.

Che Kung was a native of Nanchang, in Jiangxi Province of China.[1] As a military commander he saved the southern regions of China from disorder. Also, he appeared in the villagers dreams who suffered from a plague. Later on, the plague was over and the villagers thought that Che Kung saved them from diseases. Daoists regarded him as a god due to his contributions. Inside a temple of Che Kung, pinwheels can always be found next to his effigy. It is believed that the one who rotates the pinwheel can get good luck. The Birthday of Che Kung is celebrated on the second day of Chinese New Year.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Brief Information on Proposed Grade II Items. pp656-657
  2. ↑ Brief Information on Proposed Grade I Items. pp67-68 Archived October 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ The Historical Heritage of Ho Chung, Pak Kong, and Sha Kok Mei, Sai Kung. p5
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