Cheng-huang

Each city or village in China had its own Cheng-huang god to protect it. Many of them were based on real men from that town who had been well known while they were alive. After a great man died, if he became a god, he would send dreams to people who were still alive to let them know. Cheng-huang protected the moats and walls of towns when enemies were attacking them. He also made sure the King of the Dead didn't take any souls away without Cheng-huang's permission. And if anyone was doing anything bad in the town, Cheng-huang would send you dreams about who it was so you could stop them.

To find out more about Chinese gods, check out these books from Amazon.com or from your library:

The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient China, by Leonard Everett Fisher (2003). For kids. One page for each god, with lots of pictures and some historical context.

Five Heavenly Emperors: Chinese Myths of Creation, by Song Nan Zhang (1994). Stories for kids.

Chinese Mythology A to Z, by Jeremy Roberts (2004).

Dragons and Demons : Myths of China, by Stewart Ross (1998). A few Chinese stories, retold for kids.

Dragons, Gods and Spirits from Chinese Mythology, by Tao Sanders (1983). More of a child's encyclopedia.

Main Chinese gods page

Main Chinese religion page
Main China page