"Emperor Wenchang" has two different versions: the god of heaven and the god of humans: the word "Wenchang" is both the name of a star and the name of a god, which is commonly known as Wenchang star or Wenxing Shen.
Emperor Wenchang is also known as Zitong, Emperor Wenchang, King Jishun, King Yingxian, Master Zitong, Emperor Zitong, and Emperor Leiying. Regarding Wenchangxing, the "Historical Records of Tianguan Shu" contains: "Dou Kuai Dai Kuang has six stars, and Wenchangxing is one day general, the second day second general, the third day noble prime minister, the fourth day minister of orders, and the fifth day minister. "The Star Book" contains: "The six stars of Wenchang are like a half moon. In front of Beidou Kui, each of its six stars has a name." The six stars of Wenchang are the generals (powerful) and the second generals (right and left). ), Noble Prime Minister (managing Wenxu), Si Ming (mainly responsible for disasters), Sizhong (mainly responsible for right management), and Si Lu (rewarding meritorious scholars), each has his own special department and is in charge of the world's fortune and fortune, so it has been used since ancient times. Admired by scholars and students.
Emperor Wenchang is generally believed to be the god in charge of examinations, destiny, and the god who helps reading and writing. He is the most respected god by scholars and those who seek academic fame. It is worshiped by the people. Since the Zhou Dynasty, rituals and laws have been formulated and included in the sacrificial canons in all dynasties.
Wenchang is originally the name of the star palace, including Shanpixing, which is the general name of the six stars above Doukui (Kui Xing). Ancient astrologers interpreted it as an auspicious star for great nobles. Taoism revered it as the god who governs fame and fortune, also known as the "Wenxing". After the imperial examination system came into being in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Wenchang star was especially worshiped by literati. It was said that Wenchang was "the foundation of the civil and military examinations". Because Wenchangxing and Emperor Zitong were both revered by Taoism as gods in charge of fame, fortune and wealth, the two gods gradually merged into one.
Wen Changxing is abbreviated as Wenxing, or Wenquxing. It is the star in the constellation that controls literary fortune. For example, in Du Fu's poem: "The north wind follows the refreshing air, and the south dipper avoids Wenxing." "Dongguan Memorial": "On the first day of the imperial examination, the Wenchang star was dark, and there must be something going on in the examination room." From this point of view, students should be related to literary stars.
Regarding the statement about Wenchang Star, the "Star Book" contains: "The six stars of Wenchang are like a half-moon shape. In front of Beidou Kui, each of its six stars has its own name." "Historical Records of Tianguan Shu" records: "The six stars of Wenchang Dai Kuang, On the first day, he was a general, on the second day, he was a second general, on the third day, he was a minister, on the fourth day, he was a minister, on the fifth day, he was a minister, and on the sixth day, he was a minister. "
During the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Jingzong built a new temple in Beijing. Every year on the third day of February, people are sent to hold a grand ceremony. During the Qing Dynasty, this god was even more worshiped. In the sixth year of Jiaqing, Emperor Renzong also ordered the Ministry of Rites to include this god in the sacrificial ceremony.
Human gods are divided into two types of references, one is "WenchangEmperor" and the other is "Five Wenchang", including Emperor Guan Sheng (Emperor Wenheng), Emperor Fuyou (Emperor Lu Dongbin), Confucius Wenkui, Zhu Xi (Emperor Zhu Xi) Yi Xingjun) and Kuidou (Kui Xingye) are collectively called "Five Wenchang".
"Yunji Seven Lots": "Wenchangxing Shenjun, whose name is Xianchang, is also the talisman of the emperor's destiny. The central commandant. Or the father-in-law who controls the life. It controls the life of the year of birth, and takes care of the simple rituals of longevity and death." Wenchang Shen Derived from belief in the stars.
Shao Siming in "Nine Songs of Chu Ci" refers to the fourth star. The Warring States Period has been included in the national sacrificial canon.
"History of Ming Dynasty. "Ji Zhi": "Emperor Zitong, surnamed Zhang, named Yazi, lived in Qiqu Mountain, Shu. His official died in the Jin Dynasty, and he built a temple. Tang Zong repeatedly granted him the title of King Yingxian. Taoists said that Zitong was in charge of Wenchang Mansion, and his affairs have affected the world. Lu Ji, Yuanjia was the emperor, and there were also ancestral halls in the world. "
Emperor Wenchang's real name was Zhang Yazi, a surname from Yuejun in the Tang Dynasty. He later moved to Qiqu Mountain ( Zitong County, Sichuan Province ) because he believed in Taoism. , widely preached Taoist teachings in Sichuan. After his death, people respected his character and built a temple in Qiqu Mountain, named it "Qingxu Temple", and engraved "Zitong Jun" on the stele, becoming the Zitong God for people to worship. . During the Tang Dynasty Tang Xuanzong and Xizong fled to Sichuan, they used this belief to make Zitong the Prime Minister of Zuo and King Jishun. In the third year of Yanyou's reign (1316), Emperor Renzong of the Yuan Dynasty was granted the title of "Emperor Fu Yuan Kaihua Wenchang Si Lu Hongren", referred to as "Emperor Wenchang". Among the titles awarded in the past dynasties, the word "Wenchang" appeared in this title, which was combined with the belief in Wenchang Star. From then on, Emperor Ziyi became the god of articles and learning, responsible for taking charge of the affairs of Wenchang Mansion.Due to the strong praise of the emperors of the Tang Dynasty, the status of Zitong God has grown rapidly, from a local god to a national god, and gradually merged with Wenchang God.
During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, people called Wenchang Emperor Wenchang, revering him as the main immortal, the god of life, death, and wealth. In ancient times, scholars used the imperial examination as a way to advance in officialdom, so Wenchang palaces were built in every county in the world. After the Ming Dynasty, every school dedicated part of its buildings to Emperor Wenchang. In the Qing Dynasty, on the birthday of Emperor Wenchang on the third day of the second lunar month every year, the imperial court would send people to Wenchang Temple in Beijing to offer sacrifices. Although Wenchang was the god of Taoism, he had a strong Confucian flavor.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, a book of persuasion was written in the name of Emperor Wenchang to persuade people to do good deeds and accumulate virtues. This book had a great influence, and was the third one with "Tai Shang Ying Pian" and "Guandi Awakening of the World". A great book of advice and good deeds.
Emperor Wenchang was in charge of the fate of examinations and the fame and wealth of scholars. He was more popular among scholars than Confucius. At the same time, he was also a master of engraving, bookstores, stationery stores, storytellers, and papermaking, so the old booksellers' guild was called "Wenchang Guild Hall".
In the past, the emperor had listed Emperor Wenchang as one of the important sacrifices. All scholars must worship Emperor Wenchang. Every time the Wenchang Emperor was born, the students, scholars, talented students, tribute students, juren, and private school teachers would prepare whole cattle and offerings and go to the Wenchang Temple to perform the "Three Offerings" to worship him.
Official governments of all dynasties have issued orders to schools all over the world to worship the Wenchang God: the third day of the second lunar month is the Christmas Day for Emperor Wenchang.
"The Yin Zhao Wen of Emperor Wenchang" states that Emperor Wenchang has been reincarnated into the human world seventy-three times. He was a scholar-bureaucrat in his life, an honest official, and never cruel to the people. He is as inviolable as the autumn frost and the white sun. "He helps people in difficulty, saves people in urgent need, pities people's loneliness, tolerates people's mistakes, travels widely in the shadows, and reaches the sky." Therefore, the Emperor of Heaven ordered Emperor Wenchang to take charge of the affairs of Cao Guiji in Wenchang. In the world, the selection of local villages, the examination and examination of subjects, the service, color, salary, rank, awards, gifts, memorials, and even the advancement and retreat of the two palaces, etc., were all under the management of Emperor Wenchang.
