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Our Deities
Zhou Cheng Huang
洲城隍
According to the "Book of Rites" from the Zhou Dynasty, the ancient emperors offered sacrifices to the "Water Yong God," who was the City God. "Yong" refers to the city, which is the walls built of earth and stone, while "Water" refers to the moat surrounding the outer city walls. The City God is thus regarded as the guardian deity of the people. Therefore, some officials who cared for the people's hardships or local heroes who contributed to society were revered as City Gods, such as the veneration of "Zhang Xun" as the City God in the Huaiyang region.
By the Ming Dynasty, the status of the City Gods was further categorized into different levels: national, prefectural, regional, and county. Ming Dynasty's founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang launched the rebuilding of City God temples across the country to elevate the City God belief during his reign. Emperor Zhu once said, "I establish the City God to instill awe in people. When people feel awe, they will not act recklessly."
Ji Xin Cheng Huang
紀信城隍
Ji Xin was a general serving Liu Bang (later Emperor Gaozu of Han) during the Chu–Han contention.
In the summer of 204 BC, Liu Bang was besieged in the city of Xingyang by the much larger forces of Xiang Yu. After a month in the seemingly desperate situation, Ji Xin came up with a plan and volunteered to act as a decoy to help his lord escape. Ji Xin rode out of the city in Liu Bang's distinctive chariot, pretended to be Liu and offered to surrender. It took Xiang Yu some time to realize that he had been fooled, and when he discovered that the real Liu Bang had already escaped, had Ji Xin burnt to death.
He was later enshrined as the City God of Zhengzhou and Xingyang which was the town he saved.
Zhou Xin Cheng Huang
周新城隍
Zhou Xin (?-1413), courtesy name Zhixin, originally named Zhou Zhixin, later changed to Zhou Xin due to a jest by the Yongle Emperor, was a Ming dynasty official known for his incorruptibility and upright character. Hailing from Yuyao, Zhejiang (present-day Yuyao City, Zhejiang), he was referred to by both officials and the public as the “Cold-Faced Iron.” Zhou Xin rose to prominence for his integrity and keen sense of justice.
Zhou Xin left no descendants. After Ji Gang’s downfall and execution in 1416, the truth of Zhou Xin’s innocence came to light. The Yongle Emperor, stricken with regret, reportedly dreamt of Zhou Xin dressed in red, proclaiming, “I have become a deity, serving Your Majesty to punish corrupt officials.” In acknowledgment of his integrity, Zhou Xin was posthumously honored as the City God of Zhejiang’s capital and venerated locally.
Tian Xia Du Cheng Huang
天下都城隍
According to legend, Liu Xiu, the future Eastern Han emperor, was pursued by Wang Mang and found refuge in an abandoned mountain temple. He prayed for divine protection, vowing to establish the temple as the highest City God (Duchenghuang) if he survived. A miracle restored the spider webs at the temple entrance, convincing the pursuers that no one had entered. Later, Liu Xiu fulfilled his promise, naming the temple the Tianxia Duchenghuang, expanding it, and setting May 11 as the deity’s annual celebration day.
Jing Jiang Cheng Huang
靖江城隍
Qingjiang was originally called “Ma Sha”, located in what is now Changliang Township. In 1471 (the 7th year of Emperor Chenghua’s reign in the Ming Dynasty), the Ming court established Qingjiang County. At that time, the emperor of Beijing appointed a county magistrate (equivalent to today’s municipal party secretary), named Zhao Zhengqing, who was from Henan.
Three years later, while leading a project to manage the river, he unfortunately drowned. Afterwards, the emperor posthumously honored him with the title “Spirit-Responding Marquis of the Ministry of Water.” To commemorate him, the people of Qingjiang built the earliest City God Temple in Qingjiang, establishing him as the local City God. The people affectionately call him “Old Grandpa Chenghuang.”
This City God Temple is very grand and solemn, with a history of over 500 years. Since then, the temple has been rebuilt and expanded multiple times, and the temple fairs have become more and more prosperous.