Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 351

1850.

Mythological Notices.

313

game of throwing rods with Yuhnü, when once, having happened to miss the mark, Heaven laughed at him, and light issued from his mouth on opening it,—the same which is now called flashes of lightning.

or Eolus.

Fung-peh Shin 風伯神

He is the same as Fi-lieni. e. the Wind Roc. Yingshau says, Fi-lien is a divine bird, able to cause windy weather. His body is like a deer's; his head like that of a libation-cup, with horus; his tail is like a serpent's, and his body as large as a leopard's. He is the God of Wind.

Yü-sz' Shin 雨師神

He is the same as Shángyáng,

or Jupiter Pluvius.

the divine bird. He has but

one leg, and is able to enlarge or contract as he pleases. He drinks

as if he would swallow the sea.

rain.

This is the Spirit who controls the

Hai Shinor Neptune.

He is also called Hái-joh. Tradition informs us that Chí Hwangtí of the Tsin dynasty made a stone bridge, desiring to span the sea in order to get a view of the sun. Neptune afforded his aid in driving the stones to their places; Chí Hwangtí begged to see him, and was told, "You must not draw a likeness of me." To this the em- peror agreed, but at the interview, some clever ones among his attend- ants began to sketch his likeness. The Spirit angrily said, "Your Majesty has violated your engagement;" and immediately vanished. His temple is now in Wantang district in Shantung.

Cháu Shin潮神

or the Tide Spirit, also called Tsz'-sü. Men have seen him in his plain chariot with white horses, as he goes

upon the sea.

forth

The Divine Prince for opening Roads.

He is the same as the Fáng Siáng, spoken of in the Ritual of Chau. Tradition informs us that the Yellow Emperor was accus- tomed to make tours through all parts of his realm; his chief concu- bine Lo-tsú died while upon the journey, and he commanded his second concubine Hánjii to watch and protect the corpse. She bought an image of a warrior to protect her in watching during the night; which was the beginning of this custom. He is vulgarly called Hien- tau Shin

the god of Dangerous Roads ; the Tsien-pek shin Isiángkiun BT BT Divine General of Cross-roads, and the Divine Prince for opening Roads. This divine person was a

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