Shanshen

deity mountain Chinese single tradition · 1

Shanshen (山神) are mountain gods in Chinese tradition with legends dating back more than 2,000 years. The Classic of Mountains and Seas contains detailed descriptions of their appearance, particularly in the Wuzang Shanjing section. Ancient Chinese people worshipped mountains by deifying them, and over time various ghosts and spirits attached to mountains merged into personalized Shanshens inhabiting the main peaks of each region.

When

First attested
200 BCE
Attested period
-200 – 2020
Historical notes
First recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas written more than 2,000 years ago, with worship continuing as a living tradition.

Relationships

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Sources

wikipedia (1)

Source passages

“In China, legends about Shanshen (山神) have a long history. The Classic of Mountains and Seas (山海经), which was written more than 2,000 years ago, has already recorded various legends about Shanshen”

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