Suijin

Suijin [水続; すいじん] is one of the Kantonese sea gods and a patron spirit of fishermen, sailors and seafarers. Taking the form of a huge octopus [comparable to a kraken], Suijin also has the ability to appear as a beautiful yet rugged human man. Many believed that Suijin had one of the most varied personalities of all the Kiren gods, often displaying a wide range of emotions which could be observed through watching the ocean. A stormy sea implied anger or wrath in Suijin, and people would often go to pray and appease him if this was the case. On the contrary, a calm and flat sea represented Suijin's placidity and contentment. He is also thought to be able to harness and bring rain, wind, mist, and thunder. His thousands of long, articulate tentacles are what control the tides, and pull the ocean back and forth.
In some depictions Suijin is not shown to be a octopus, but rather a sea eagle, shark, or jellyfish. Some sects believe he can shapeshift into any sea creature at will. He is considered a fundamentally benevolent god who can become quickly angered if not shown proper respect, which is the cause of great storms and terrible weather. Generally he is believed to be a patron spirit of all those who work or find their livelihood on the sea, and as Kanton is a nation dependent on the ocean, he is also known as Kanyōshin, the 'god who watches over Kanton'. According to the Book of Ōhaki, Suijin resides in a huge coral palace beneath the waves. Sea turtles, fish, jellyfish, and other sea creatures are often seen as Suijin's servants.
== Worship ==
Suijin is believed to be the patron saint of fishermen and seafarers. His main purpose is to control the movement of the tides and keep the ocean at a balance. Some legends says that when Suijin causes sea storms, he is angered by the over-fishing of humans and is trying to make them stop. Others state that Suijin is a particularly jealous deity who is resentful if other gods get more attention than him, and will therefore cause wild weather. Either way, the Kantonese have always tried to worship and placate Suijin with particular attention in order to keep this from happening and protect their fishermen.
Suijin has shrines and temples all across Kanton, especially in rural areas where fishing and rains for agriculture are important for local communities. His most-visited site is the Daipō Suijin Temple in southern Tōkoro Prefecture, a temple in which he is enshrined.
Category:Kiren
Category:Deities