The Southern Celestial Star Deities and the Refining and Transcendence Doctrine of the Ancient Lingbao Scriptures
In Daoist cosmology, the southern celestial star deities are represented by terms such as the Southern Dipper, the Southern Palace, the Southern Chang, and the South Pole, each with specific cosmological significance. These concepts are closely intertwined with the themes of longevity and fire-refin...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Religions
Year: 2025, Volume: 16, Issue: 3 |
| Further subjects: | B
the ancient Lingbao scriptures
B Daoism B refining and transcendence B the Southern Dipper B the southern celestial star deities |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | In Daoist cosmology, the southern celestial star deities are represented by terms such as the Southern Dipper, the Southern Palace, the Southern Chang, and the South Pole, each with specific cosmological significance. These concepts are closely intertwined with the themes of longevity and fire-refining, yet they often blend together to such an extent that clear distinctions become difficult. Through an exploration of this series of concepts, this paper reveals that during the Six Dynasties, the ancient Lingbao scriptures inherited the mythological tradition of earlier religions, in which “fire” symbolized the alchemical refining process. These scriptures extol “fire” as a powerful force for purification and regeneration, and it is said that the Primordial Heavenly Lord once employed flames to refine the “true scriptures”, which represented the cosmic primordial essence. Such fiery transformation finds vivid expression in the legend of A-Qiuzeng. By bathing in sacred flames, this female ascetic underwent bodily transformation into a male form, exemplifying fire’s role as a catalyst for the transformation of existence. Crucially, the Lingbao scriptures utilized the Five Elements doctrine (with fire corresponding to the south) to synthesize the disparate cults of southern celestial star deities into a coherent system. This synthesis highlights the sacred religious function of the southern celestial star deities in “refining death and transcending life” through fire. Moreover, it distills their philosophical significance in mediating the transitions between life and death. Since their compilation during the Six Dynasties, this paradigm has continuously influenced the development of Daoist doctrines of refining and transcendence, as well as their corresponding ritual frameworks. |
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| ISSN: | 2077-1444 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Religions
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.3390/rel16030285 |
