Siangwaanian mythology

Here is a list of characters from Siangwaanian mythology and folklore, mostly influenced by Daizhouvian/Chinese folklore.

While most Siangwaanians are Buddhist, some of them also practice other religions, such as the Vozonid religion, Atenism, and Hinduism. Two national religions also emerged in Siangwaan: Moklei Gio (茉莉教), the esoteric Path of the Jasmine practiced by gentlemen; and Gao Sheng Gio (九曐教), a folk religion in the south that worships star gods.

## Deities

* Yük Dei (玉帝) - the Jade Emperor, the king of the gods
* Sei Wongmou (西王母) - the Queen Mother of the west, the queen of the gods
* Gwaan Gong (關公) - the god of war, a former general from Daizhou.
* Wongcheung Wang (文昌王) - the god of refined culture.
* Na Za (哪吒) - a young man who fights demons as he rides on two burning wheels.
* Zūk Yòng (祝融) - the god of fire and the south.
* Sheung Ngo (嫦娥) - the goddess of the moon. She is accompanied by a rabbit who produces the elixir of immortality.
* Nam Gik Lou Yan (南極老人) - the god of the southern pole and happiness.
	+ In Siangwaan, he is also the guide of the lost.
* Yüt Lou (月老) - the old man under the moon. He causes young people to fall in love, and they ask him to bless their marriages.
* Lai Gong (雷公) - the god of thunder. He sends out lightning bolts to kill evil people.
* Pung Bak (風伯) - the god of wind.
* Dai Bak Gong (大伯公) - the god of good fortune and wealth. In Siangwaan, he is also revered as the god of survival and strength.
* Tu Dei Gong (土地公) and Tu Dei Po (土地婆) - the god and goddess of the earth, and the rulers of all earth wights. People pray to them so crops grow better and their homes will be protected from harm.
	+ A certain mantra, the Ngon Tu Dei Zan Yin (安土地真言), is used to call upon the earth gods to bless a particular location.
	+ Due to Vozonid influence, spinel gems are also used to invoke these gods' protection over a place.
* Sheung Hei (常羲) - an ancient goddess of the night sky who was the mother of twelve moons, which became the twelve months of the year. She later became the goddess of time, to the point that some devotees even associated Her with Mahakali, another time goddess.
	+ In Siangwaan, Sheung Hei is invoked at the last week of the traditional calendar, where food is offered to honour Her and Her sons. Her sons became the gods of various human arts, from music to poetry and farming.
	+ The strongest of Her sons and daughters, Sheung Liet (辰烈), is worshipped as the god of September. As his month is also the start of the Vozonid new year, and it takes place after the ghost months of June, July, and August, Sheung Liet is worshipped as the god of cosmic harmony, catastrophes, unusual disasters, and exorcisms. He wears orange robes and uses a burning sword. He is also associated with Murugan, one of Parvati (Kali)'s sons and a warrior god; or Wai To Pu Saat, a guardian bodhisattva as one of his lieutenants.
	+ The Hindu Siangwaanians venerate Sheung Hei as an aspect of Parvati. Only Sheung Liet and Zeng Liao (gods of September and March) are venerated as Murugan and Ganesha, while the other ten "sons" are Her students.
* Zeung Sien (張仙) - the god who shoots down eclipse dogs and protects the souls of sons on childbirth.
* Chaiʟ Tiēn Dai Sheng (齊天大聖) - Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, a protective god.
* Ho Bak (河伯) - the capricious god of the Hwang Ho River in central Daizhou, later the god of the Nine Rivers of Siangwaan. He is depicted as a young man with white and yellow hair.
* Zou Shāan (灶神) - God of the Kitchen, Lord of the Stove. At the end of every year, he goes to Heaven to report the good and bad deeds of every household and sentient being to the Jade Emperor, who then rewards or punishes them.
	+ While the Daizhouvians attempted to bribe or silence him with sticky cakes, the Siangwaanians do not bribe him with offerings, as they consider it wrong to bribe a god or someone that is holy. Legends also claim that Lord Zou Shaan is more pleased by honest people, such as those who offer other delicious foods as gifts to him.

### Bodhisattvas/Pu Saat

Holy men and women who are able to transcend reality to help lost people reach salvation and peace.

* Gwon Yam Pu Saat (觀音菩薩) - the goddess of mercy and the guardian of children. She is accompanied by a parrot. Invoking her mantra can instill peace to its user.

* Dei Zong Pu Saat (地藏菩萨) - the bodhisattva of the earth. He has a staff to open the gates of the underworld and a gem that lights up any darkness.
* Dai Sai Zi Pu Saat (大勢至菩薩) - the bodhisattva who represents the power of wisdom. Invoking her mantra can protect the user from violence, or help them overcome a great disaster.
* Man Sü Pu Saat (文殊菩薩) - the bodhisattva who represents transcendent wisdom that stills ferocity and stops madness, reckless, and chaos. He usually holds a sword and a pearl, and rides on a lion.
* Wai To Pu Saat (韋馱菩薩) - a faithful warrior prince who becomes one of the guardians of the Buddha. He is associated with Skanda, an aspect of Murugan.

### Groups

* Choiʟ Shanʟ (財神) - the god of wealth and prosperity
	+ There are eight Choi Shans, but the most popular ones are the Choi Shans of the south (attracting wealth), southwest (good luck), and west (valuables). Each Choi Shan was derived from a righteous man in life.
* Yim Lo Wong (閻羅王) - the god of death, and the king and judge of the underworld who determines the punishments and next births of the wicked. He corresponds with Yamaraja in Hindu or Sandharmin religion.
	+ There are ten Yim Lo Wongs, each derived from a righteous man in life and each ruling over a section of the underworld. The Great Yim Lo Wong, usually the first, is the final judge who determines whether a soul will be reborn as a higher being, or be sent to a different hell.
	+ The first Yim Lo Wong and the greatest of the Ten Kings, Cheungwong Wong (秦廣王), is the leader. He determines the final sentences of each soul brought into his court. People who die from untimely deaths are also brought to his court, and those who had not committed enough good or evil deeds are simply reincarnated.
	+ The third Yim Lo Wong, Chogiong Wong (楚江王), is associated in Siangwaan with ingenuity, science, floods, and water. One modern novel depicts him as the creator of a world populated by tiny undead creatures as his experiment about superstitions.
* Five Emperors - five high gods who oversee the directions, elements, and seasons.
	+ Hwong Dei (黃帝) - the yellow emperor of the centre and earth. Also the founder of Daizhou.
	+ Cheng Dei (青帝) - the green emperor of the east, wood, and spring.
	+ Haak Dei (黑帝), Zün Wu (玄武) - the black emperor of the north, water, war, and winter.
	+ Chek Dei (赤帝) - the red emperor of the south, fire, agriculture, and summer.
	+ Baak Dei (白帝) - the white emperor of the west, metal, and autumn.
* Dragon Kings (Long Wang, 龍王) - the dragon kings who rule the waters of each part of the world.
	+ Ao Gwaang (敖光) - king of the eastern seas and spring, such as the Dunomin Ocean. Often invoked by anyone who crosses the ocean or bay, even when flying on aircraft or crossing a portal (to be safe on the other side).
	+ Ao Yaam - king of the southern seas and summer.
	+ Ao Ming - king of the western seas and autumn. Considered as the god of the Western/Mamaovian Ocean at the west of Palkyras
	+ Ao Gwaan - king of the northern seas and winter.
* Four Symbols
	+ Bak Ho (白虎) - white tiger of the north
	+ Cheng Long (青龍) - blue dragon of the east
	+ Zu Zeuk (朱雀) - vermillion-orange phoenix of the south
		- Also the namesake of Chang Shong's and Dok Saau's home province.
	+ Yun Wo (玄武) - dark tortoise warrior of the west
* Four Heavenly Kings (Séi Dai Tin Wong, 四大天王)
	+ Do Mun Tin Wong (多聞天王) - god of the north with an umbrella or a pagoda. Also known as Vaishravana.
		- Popular among the few Porasonids that live in Siangwaan, who regard him as a warlike aspect of their patron deity Kubera, the god of wealth and landwights (their supposed ancestors).
	+ Chi Gwok Tin Wong (持國天王) - god of the east with a lute
	+ Zaang Cheung Tin Wong (增長天王) - god of the south with a sword or a spear
	+ Gwong Muk Tin Wong (廣目天王) - god of the west with a bow or a pagoda.
* Haak Baak Mou Sheung (黑白无常) - two officials who bring the dead to Yim Lo Wong's court. The white one, Ze Bit Ngon (謝必安), brings the righteous and innocent; while the black one, Paan Mou Giou (范無救), brings evil people to be tormented in Hell.
* Wuk Luk Shaau (福祿壽) - three elders who ensure the survival of their worshippers. Wuk represents wealth, Luk represents good fortune, and Shaau represents long life.
* Hang Ha Ye Giong (哼哈二將) - two temple guards who represent the beginning and end of all things.
* Chōng Tiēn (蒼天) - The Azure Heaven; a term used for either all the gods or just to the Jade Emperor.
* Bak Daau Sheng Gwan (北斗星君) - Nine gods who watch over the world from the constellation of the Great Plough. These gods are invoked by exorcists and people who fight demons and supernatural threats.
	+ The presence of the other two gods at the "tail" of the wagon is a sign that the Gods are always there, watching over Mankind and the world.
* Nam Daau Sheng Gwan (南斗星君) - Five gods who watch over the world from the constellation of the Southern Chariot. These gods are also invoked by exorcists and people who fight demons.

## Localised gods

* Mother Lou Lang, Lou Lang Ma - goddess of the Lou Lang River
* Kaidolan, Kei Duo - a Vozonid god, one of the sixteen men who helped Emperor Sarmelon kill an army of demons. As patron of the region of Zōrilan, he was worshipped by the revolutionaries as the one who used them to punish the wicked Sarmelonid rulers.
* Emperors, and later presidents, of Siangwaan left offerings at his temple to celebrate the start of their rule.

## Beings

* kei-lin (麒麟) - a deer with a turtle's shell. The national animal of Siangwaan.
	+ Some people translate them as "unicorns", even though they are just deer.
* paai tien (飛天) - heavenly dancers
* nin (秂) - a year-beast, a great creature that eats and chews anything it sees. It is afraid of fire, loud noises, and the colour red.
	+ Became the namesake of the nimboz, a large, solitary, and rare creature occasionally sighed at eastern Josol with forests that grow on its back.
* shek shi (石獅) - stone lions that guard buildings.
* bing yong (兵俑) - cursed stone statues that attack anyone who trespasses a tomb. They represent the imperial government's suppression against Daizhou's reformers, and by extension, the backwardsness of any country.
	+ In case if any statue might come to life and start attacking surrounding people, Siangwaanians place spikes near the statue to stop it from getting out of its place.
	+ Also a nickname for the Raktesai occasionally encountered at archaeological sites or used by the Wannaenids.

* Zao Yü - a gentle tiger that only appears during the rule of a good ruler
* zam niao - a poisonous bird from the south.
* Shap Ye Sheng Siao (十二生肖) - twelve animals that oversee a cycle of years and the people born under each animal. They consisted of the gryphon, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
	+ The first animal in their cycle was originally a rat, but because their Vozonid neighbours hated rats, it was replaced with a gryphon.
	+ Some eras replace the dragon, snake, sheep, monkey, and pig with the raptor, phoenix, keilin, dolphin, and deer or cat. The resulting zodiac will be the gryphon, ox, tiger, hare, raptor, phoenix, horse, keilin, dolphin, rooster, dog, and deer/cat; used in eastern Siangwaan and neighbouring countries.
* tien gaau (天狗) - monstrous dog wraiths that prowl the sky and inflict curses during solar eclipses.
* long, loong (龍) - a dragon of the seas or rivers.
	+ Although the loong is a dragon, he or she is different from the dragons of Vozonid mythology. The loong is a spirit of the waters, or even a god, and he or she is stronger than the demon-dragons of Vjormoz.
* pung hwong (鳳凰) - a bright bird of five colours that brings plenty.
* ngak mo - arch-demon
* tien giang - archangel
* tien bing - angel, celestial

### Ghosts

* gwai (鬼) - any ghost
* ngo gwai (餓鬼) - hungry ghosts
* yaau hwan ye gwai - wandering ghosts, which emerge at June or July.
* ngiep (孽) - a ghost born from a strong or corrupting desire
* kei-go, ke-rei-go - krego ghosts, the souls of the armies of Red Ardesch that attempted to exterminate the Gauvajut Empire. While Vozonids annually punish and revile them as evil cannibals, their hatred multiplied by their own undead nature; Siangwaanians instead pity them as victims of their leaders' warmongering, and discarded victims of the gods' punishments.
	+ They regard them as though they were like the ghosts in hell, tormented for their sins and crushed by the curses from the gods. While the Siangwaanians celebrate their defeat to ward off the more predatory ghosts with glyrindar parades, on the Siangwaanian Ghost Month on July, they ask monks to pray for these tormented souls so the ghosts will be taken to paradise.
	+ So aside from the ghost-flags, they also raise banners displaying the monk Mok-lien surrounded by sutras, calling the ghosts of Ardesch to be purified from their sin.

### Four Threats

* Giong Gong (龔工) - a serpent with a man's head that causes floods.
* Puan Daau (驩兜) - a monstrous minister from the south cursed with disobedient armour.
* Gun (鯀) - the failed father of a king who drowned and became a river monster.
* Sam Miao (三苗) - formerly the Hmoong kingdoms that thrived south of Daizhou, it now refers to other peoples considered barbaric by the Daizhouvians and their descendants, such as the Ontemazei.
	+ Ever since delegates from the republic of Hmoong Av have contacted with Siangwaan's government, the term "Sam Miao" declined, out of respect for the delegates and their country, until it only referred to the tribes that battled Daizhou's ancestors and founded the predecessors of Hmoong Av.
	+ When used towards barbarians or enemies in general like before, it was replaced with "Sam Yong" (三兇), Pei Gok (from the Hmoong words "peb qus", meaning "three wilds"), or Zaau Chai (from "txaus ntshai", meaning "the dangers" or "evil kings").
	+ In fact, these terms also existed in epic poems from Hmoong Av, referring to wicked tyrants and warlords who fought against Txiv Yawg's successors. The defeat of the Txaus Ntshai kings was celebrated every year by the tribes who joined Txiv Yawg's princes.
* Kundun (混沌) - a six-legged river monster
* Kiong Kei (窮奇) - a dog-like beast that loves cruelty
* Tou Ngaat (檮杌) - a walking boar
* Tou Tiet (饕餮) - a greedy creature

## Characters

### Buddhas

* O-mei-to-phot (阿彌陀佛, S) - Amitabha Buddha, a heavenly being who brings peace.
	+ The mantra used to invoke him, "Naamo Omeitophot" (南無阿彌陀佛), is known as "nien-phot".
* Sik-gia-mou-nei Phot-da (釋迦牟尼 佛陀, S) - the Buddha, a great teacher from the west who helps people free themselves from suffering.
* Dai Yat Yü Lai (大日如來) - Vairocana Buddha, who represents selflessness and infinity

### People

* Bāt Sien (八仙) - Eight Immortals, ever-living beings who bless people from the far east.
	+ The people of the village of Tai Bo venerate them as saints. They dedicate thirteen year-old sons and daughters to these saints: they pledge to them to do what is right, and they drink an elixir, making themselves immortals who cannot age after adulthood.

* Shan Shu (神荼) and Wat Leui (鬱壘) - the two gods who protect doors and gates from evil spirits.
* Hāang Houʟ Ye Zēwng (哼哈二將) - two powerful gods who look after granaries, food, and important places.
* Zung Kwaai (鍾馗) - a hero who catches evil ghosts and defeats them. He wears red robes and carries a bright sword, and is depicted in paintings to protect people from monsters. Invoked to help exorcists and anyone battling monsters and chaos creatures.
	+ He is an honoured guest in the Kingdom of Tuxavin, where the Celestials there refer him as "The Red Wanderer". They remembered him as the god who taught them various spells related to purification, exorcism, and regeneration.
* Mok-lien (目連) - a monk who was tormented with visions of his mother being punished in hell for stealing monks' goods and her violence. After getting some mystical powers, he visits heaven, where his father tells him that his mother is in hell. He asked the Buddha to help him, but he was unable to free his mother from the underworld. The Buddha tells Mok-lien to hold a feast with several monks to pray for the victims of hell, so they will be purified from their sins and they can enter paradise.
* aloʟhon - (阿羅漢, S) arhat, a holy and purified person who will be free from rebirth and torment.
* dok dao shi, dao shi - (德道士, 道士) an alchemist, a mystic, a sort of priest who conducts rites to honour the Gods.
	+ Different from scientists or "alchemists", people who study chemicals and substances.
	+ Also very different from Buddhist monks and priests.
	+ Many dao shiya in Siangwaan also incorporate Vozonid rites in their ceremonies, such as the usage of spinel gems.
	+ Some dao shiya wear yellow robes. Those are exorcists or demon-hunters, in charge of fighting the undead and demons.
* pong shi - (方士) mystics who specialise in rites and rituals.
	+ In Siangwaan, a pong shi is more like a high-ranking dao shi or alchemist, rather than a priest. He is more akin to a wizard, even as he cannot cast magic.
* sien - (仙) holy people, sages, and immortals.

### Historic figures

* Giet of Hia (夏傑) - the seventeenth and final ruler of the ancient Hia dynasty of Daizhou. An extravagant tyrant and an oppressor.
* Sun Chak (孫子) - an advisor who wrote a book about military tactics and terrain.
* Tong Taizong (唐太宗) - one of the best rulers of Daizhou. He built a mighty empire and he was known for his mercy.
* Zong Cheun (張巡) - a general who was notorious for devouring his enemies. His name became a byword for excessive, horrific cruelty and corruption.

### Monsters

* Ngao Taau (牛頭) and Ma Mien (馬面) - the elite bodyguards of each Yim Lo Wong. Ngao Taau has the head of an ox, while Ma Mien has the head of a horse.
	+ Many jokes often depict Ma Mien being the subject of a makeover, or growing a unicorn's horn.

* Kwaa Pu - a giant who tried to eat the sun and drink all the rivers. He died of thirst and his body turned into a forested mountain chain.

## Places

* Gik Lok/Gikʟ Lokʟ (極樂), Sai Tien (西天) - The Western Paradise, the domain of Amitabha Buddha. The resting place of those who purify themselves through the Buddhist path.
* Tien Gwok (天國) - The Land of Heaven, the domain of the Jade Emperor.
* Yāaudōu (幽都) - The capital of the underworld. Deep within this dark city is the palace of Lord Yama, where he judges all the dead.
* Yim Lo Ting (閻羅庭) - The Court of Lord Yama, the place where all souls after death are judged to paradise or punishment. It is located at a palace at the centre of Yaaudou.
* Dei Yuk (地獄) - Hell, eighteen deep realms filled with long-lasting torments to punish evil people.
	+ This article provides detailed descriptions of what awaits in each of the eighteen hells, usually torments based on the major sins of one's life.

* Mou Gien (無間), Abei Dei Yuk (阿鼻地獄) - The nineteenth hell, located deep beneath all the other hells. It is reserved for the most evil people who kill their parents and hurt saints.
	+ Stage dramas depict ghosts from Denlotian times, who tempt people into murdering their loved ones over the smallest of offenses, as emerging from the depths Mou Gien. The Denlotian ghosts were placed there as a punishment for murdering their parents, then their families, then as many as their insatiable bloodlust could find.
	+ They tempt people, seeking to remake the world into a wasteland where "might makes right", and nothing ever stops ambition, even if it destroys and degrades the people who accept the murderers' offers.

* Pung Loi (蓬萊) - A beautiful and bright island-mountain at the eastern end of the world, inhabited by immortals.
	+ According to Siangwaanian folklore, it is sometimes interpreted as a star right behind the Sun that only holy people can see. This legend became the basis of the folk song "Pung Loi Seng" (蓬萊星), and the classical term for "zenith" or "bliss".
* Shaanʟzāau (神州) - Land of the Gods; either Heaven, or Siangwaan as a divinely-blessed land.

## Local characters

* Wong Ye (隍爺) and Wong Po (隍婆) - the many spirits and wights of the land, representing various parts of the country and natural phenomena. They tend to be represented in idols carved like Vozonid men and women, complete with silk robes and golden helmets. Their idols and shrines are sometimes accompanied by statues of gryphons holding swords, and sometimes nearby consecrated trees have sacred bands tied around their trunks.
	+ "Wong Ye" was originally used to refer to the spirit of a city's moat, but Siangwaanians later used that term to refer to any guardian spirit, especially of a natural feature or for a specific place.
	+ Like most countries on Jerde, almost every house and business has a shrine to its local Wong Ye or Wong Po nearby.
	+ They are honoured with offerings of food, drink, or incense twice a day, at sunset and sunrise. Optionally, they are also given flowers and garlands.
	+ Local Siangwaanians tend to address them as "wong ye" (if they are men) and "wong po" (if they are women). Or, in more formal ceremonies, Wong Ye Zün Wong or Wong Po Zün Haau.
	+ Kei (祇) is also used as a term for any nature spirit, especially those belonging to the earth (and by extension all of nature). It is also used for more important wights.
* Nang Bo Buk - the wight of the city of Ei Ka.
* The Saintly Host of Ei Ka - the victims of Ghobarth's sacrificial murders and the Extermination of Ei Ka, plus Governor Chiew Ling who was killed defending the capital from invasion, numbering around 256 souls in total. These men and women are believed to be the capital's spiritual guardians, who serve Nang Bo Buk as their commander: however, they and their leader also intervene to fight various threats to their homeland when mortal weapons fail.
* Governor Chiew Ling
* Saints of Siangwaan - various souls and wights who defend the country from supernatural enemies. These included the various wights of many natural features and settlements, and the Saintly Host of Ei Ka and their commander Chiew Ling.
* Sheung Liet (辰烈) - one of the twelve sons of the moon goddess Sheung Hei, he is the god of the month of September. He is seen wearing an orange cloak, and riding on a blue keilin. Syncretised by local Hindus and Porasonids as an aspect of Murugan, the god of war, courage, and the spear.
* Zeng Liao (正流) - one of the twelve sons of the moon goddess Sheung Hei, he is the god of the month of March. He is seen riding on an elephant or a keilin, using a spear. Syncretised by local Hindus and Porasonids as an aspect of Ganesha, the god of success, righteousness, and victory.
* Wandering Green Merchant
* Tou Bok (兔伯) - guardian of orphans and tormented people, patron god of psychiatrists, orphanages, and mental healthcare. He was also a god of lovers and outcasts.
	+ He is more well known for being a patron at certain weddings.

## Syncretised deities

In the early years of Siangwaan's existence, its people tried to distance themselves away from Daizhou, so they began assimilating local deities into their religion.

### Vozonid

* Pjosaroz (飄卅輪)
	+ The four-headed protector of the universe.
* Zomjonor (座淼絡)
	+ The god of gryphons, the Moon, dreams, and creativity. Mostly invoked for protection against evil spirits or for good luck.
	+ His sacred day is at November, known as Zomjonor's Birthday.
* Tarhunz (太恆蘇)
	+ The god of thunder, lightning, weather, and the sky. Also the observer of all good and evil deeds, and the bestower of the Mandate of Heaven upon worthy rulers and governments.
	+ His sacred day is at July, known as the Day of Lightning.
	+ Mostly invoked for protection against evil spirits.
* Hannahanna (行那項那)
	+ Mostly invoked to bless farmers and their crops.
	+ Her sacred day is at September 1, known as Purulli.

* Sammakari (深麻嘉里)
	+ The dark-skinned god of the sea. He and Ao Kwang are considered allies.
* Lauvarin (流划連)
	+ The sea goddess who protects sailors.
* Prince Raudares (漏得理 殿下)
	+ The fourth son of Sammakari and Lauvarin, the lord of the Dunomin Ocean.
* Katoripol
	+ The scribe of the Great Yim Lo Wong who records every good deed of every soul. With enough good deeds, the soul is ensured either a better rebirth or even ascension to Heaven.
* Mindavol
	+ The scribe of the Great Yim Lo Wong who records every evil deed of every soul, ensuring the soul's respective punishment in their respective hell.

### Hindu

* Dai Zi Zoi Tien (大自在天) - Shiva, the lord of infinity, the endless one. Venerated as the consort of Parvati or Kali, the endless goddess; the pole star, the cow, the lingam-pillar, trident, and the crescent moon are sacred to Him. Seen as a guide that helps people live a righteous life or escape suffering into enlightenment.
	+ He is also known as Gik Bak (極白, the White Absolute), Zen Shi (真師, the Absolute Teacher, Dakshinamurti, Adiguru), or Wing Dei (永帝, the Eternal Lord, Lord of Eternity).
* Dai Haak Mou Tien (大黑母天), or Dai Syut Zo Tien (大雪座天) - Kali Ma or Parvati, the lady of eternity, the eternal one. Venerated as the consort of Shiva, the eternal teacher; the hibiscus, the cow, the trident, and the colour black are sacred to Her. Seen as a guide who helps people overcome their threats, or emerge from torment into enlightenment and purification, even through Her student confronting and defeating a disaster or weakness.
	+ She is also known as Haak Shi (黑旹, the Eternal Night), Ye Zeng (夜正, the Justice of the Night), or Yong Sheng Mou (永勝母, Durga, Lady of Eternal Victory, Lady of the Final Triumph of Good over Evil).
	+ Sheung Hei is seen as an aspect of Her, so She is syncretised as a goddess with twelve arms, surrounded by twelve moons.

### Native Sakautari

See also: Sakautari mythology

* Aralakh - Rutai storm god, king of the gods
* Siawikau - Rutai solar goddess, queen of the gods
* Sikanbur - Kjongkjong god of knowledge and art. Rides on a leopard
* Ra'unang - Kjongkjong god of the sun
* Bai'adang - Kjongkjong god of the moon
* Magonkai and Mogankai - Kjongkjong gods of travellers, twin brothers. Magonkai wears blue, and he looks after students and warriors. Mogankai wears red, and he looks after merchants and artists. They are also worshipped as the gods of transportation and vehicles, and people pray to their shrines when taking breaks in highways or before travelling by air or sea for their protection.
* Turundok - Kjongkjong god of knowledge and learning.
	+ The folk hero Dusantong was hailed as one of his champions.
* Saa - Uwehtah'wel god of the sun and judge of the dead
* Mujaa, Muiaa - Uwehtah'wel goddess of the moon and growth
* Makoroh - Uwehtah'wel god of the dance
* Wehappol - Uwehtah'wel god of fire, cuisine, and the hearth. Also a guardian.
* Imgrijal - Uwetah'wal goddess of the harvest
* Makchusi - Baunez war god
* Minchakki - Baunez harvest goddess
* Saurak - Baunez dragon god of storms and men
* Miatai - Baunez dragon goddess of rains and women
* Naranerik the Wise - a saint from the Third Age, a scholar who protected people from being eaten by cannibals and murderers. After his death, he became into a god of wisdom.
* Tulakon the Cruel - a tyrant king from the Third Age who was notorious for sending hunters to kill people and drink their blood. After his death, he and his warriors became demons.

### Star Gods

In the 18th century, Siangwaan's people fought against the Thralondian Empire to regain their independence. During a battle, the first president Zieu Mengdo was almost killed, but was saved by a Celestial who helped him slay the Thralondian armies before him. In gratitude, that Celestial and his companions are venerated as gods in the south, as the "Star Gods", or Sheng Gwan (曐君). The worship of the Star Gods may be derived from an existing religion among the farming folk of southern Siangwaan known as Gao Sheng Gio (九曐教), which worships many stellar deities.

Like Sammakari and his family, the three new Star Gods are dark-skinned, but they have white hair.

* Lashvansh (賴示雲絲) - the god of the sun and lightning. He wields a burning sword that exorcises demons and ghosts. Also considered as the spiritual guardian and observer of the President, for if the President abuses his power, Lashvansh will leave him to harm. Popular among southerners.
* Lurisha (律烈莎) - the goddess of the moon, art, and serenity. Popular among women and girls.
* Kalshoroi (加拉所來) - the god of excitement, insanity, and the stars, able to twist reality within a blink of an eye. He rides on a white lion.

## Folklore

These are characters that are not worshipped, but simply being treated as characters in Siangwaanian folklore and legends.

* Zàltōpin - a ghost from Sakautari legend, he was a murderer who killed himself with a foolish shot to his foot and head. His ghost looked like a purple shadow with many jaws, but he was cursed by the gods to become clumsy.
* Danadena - Zaltopin's blonde girlfriend of Heronoi origin, and perhaps an accomplice to his crimes. Like him, she was also careless.
* Mou Gien Ying (無間影) - spirits of Denlotian warriors, cursed to the depths of Mou Gien for murdering many people, starting with their parents.
	+ They represent temptations to achieve "utopia" and perfectionism, even as far as kill one's own parents, resulting in bloodshed and cruelty.

### Characters

These include stock characters in local Siangwaanian folklore, which were already influenced by Daizhouvian wuxia and earlier myths.

* gēmhioʟ (劍俠) - a wandering hero who fights with a sword. Sometimes he stops bandits and handles disputes as a wise judge; sometimes he teaches people to master a wonderful skill; and sometimes he fights the undead and invaders.
* yàaudong(ze), yàaudo (遊蕩者) - (CD) bandit, robber. Bandits and armed militants, who thrived during chaotic and unstable eras, were a threat to any traveller during the countryside. Usually they are depicted wearing ugly cheap robes and armed with pistols and knives; or they can be extravagant gentlemen cutthroats with knives and machine guns.
	+ One other depiction that reflected historical enemies of Siangwaan had the dreaded yaaudoya wearing armoured uniforms, masks, and makeshift rifles. However, they can be defeated by their more-archaic counterparts with just throwing knives and grenades. The modernised yaaudo can be seen along the southern border to Josol and the eastern border to Peren.
* poi (匪) - (CD) bandits

## Concepts

* yam and yeung (陰陽) - two great forces that shape the universe: the cold darkness and the fiery light.
* ngo hang (五行) - five main forces that everything is made of: fire, water, earth, wood, and metal.
* baat gwa (八卦) - eight sets of lines used to interpret nature and its cycles. They consist of 乾, 兌, 離, 震, 巽, 坎, 艮, and 坤.
* The west is the direction of the gods; the north is the direction of ghosts; the east is the direction of humanity; and the south is the direction of beasts and monsters.
* The number four is a horrible number in Siangwaanian culture, as its name is similar to the word for "death".
	+ However, Siangwaanians who practice Vozonid rites do not fear that number, as they were taught that the number four represents the beginning of knowledge and ascension. It then leads to eight, symbolising the protection of the directions (and the gods), and then sixteen, which depicts ultimate wisdom and power. This custom inverts four from a symbol of death to a symbol of "(re)birth": that is, the start of one's ascension to glory and the favour of the Vozonid gods.
	+ Furthermore, in Vozonid culture, four is also associated with stars. Four-pointed stars are considered auspicious in Vozonid religion, although eight and sixteen-pointed stars are considered more sacred.

## Religious terms

* bai (拜) - (CD) to worship
* chì (祠) - (CD) a temple for the ancestors; (classical) to offer to the gods
* Chōng Tiēn (蒼天) - (CD) Heaven, the gods; (poetic) the sky, azure sky; (monotheism) God
* Chōng Tiēn Mōn Suòi (蒼天萬歲) - (CD) Praise Heaven/Thank Heaven/Long Live Heaven, it is very good, I'm in luck
* daiʟ - ceremony, rite
* daisi (大司) - (CD) high priest
* dao shi (道士) - (CD) a Taoist priest, a priest, an alchemist
* dáa - divine order
* dienʟ (殿) - (CD) hall
* dok dao shi (德道士) - (CD) a Taoist priest, a priest
* gōng (宮) - (CD) palace, large temple
* hiām - Heaven, realm of the gods, court of the gods
* Hiām Ka - City of the Sky, Heaven, City of the Gods
* hiōm, hiām - sky
* hiōm lé - All Under Heaven, the whole country, (our) Siangwaan
* kāam (龕) - shrine
* kèi (祇) - (CD, archaic) earth spirit, a wight; a great wight
* lién, liéng - god, deity
* miaoʟ, mioʟ (廟) - temple
* nót, niót - festival, rite
* pongʟ (奉) - (CD) to offer to a god
* sek (司) - priest, holy man
* sī (禠) - (CD) blessing from a god, heavenly gift
* shàan (神) - (CD) deity, god, higher god
* shàan yiʟ (神異) - (CD) gods and spirits, the supernatural
* shinʟ, shín (神) - (CD, classical) deity, god, higher god
* Tiēn (天) - (CD) Heaven, the gods
* Tiēn Hià (天下) - (CD) All Under Heaven, the world, other countries
* woʟ (祜) - (CD) favour from Heaven, blessing
* wuk (福) - (CD) (good) luck, fortune
* yüén - primordial order, divine order
* zaisi (祭司) - (CD) priest
* zi - (CD) knowledge
* ziʟ shāan (祀神) - (CD) to offer to the gods
* zit - (CD) festival
* zong (宗) - (CD) ancestral shrine
* Zong Shín (眾神) - (CD) gods, the gods

### Buddhist terms

* Dáalàu - the wheel of the law, the Dharmachakra, the wheel of Dharma
* Daatʟmō (達摩) - (CD, S) *dharma*, correct teachings, teachings of the Buddha, wisdom, justice
* Naamo Omeitophot (南無阿彌陀佛) - (CD, S) Namo Amitabha ("Hail to You, Amitabha"), a prayer of blessing and peace
* nienphot (念佛) - (CD) to invoke Amitabha Buddha's name
* Phaat (法) - (CD) the Dharma, the law of Buddhism
* siʟ (寺) - (CD) Buddhist temple

### Sakautari aboriginal terms

* agara - (Baunez) god, deity
* ciraa - (Baunez) temple
* draa - (Kjongkjong) large temple, hall
* draanja - (Kjongkjong) holy festival
* haloi - (Baunez) blessed, holy
* krong - (Kjongkjong) temple, holy site
* ku'alei - (Uweh'tal) temple
* moh, mohiru - (Baunez) to worship, to pray
* ngial, drial - (Rutai) a god, a deity
* rong - (Kjongkjong) holy
* samerong - (Kjongkjong) to worship
* saume - (Kjongkjong) praise, hail to ...
* sonto - (Kjongkjong) shrine
* shuru(di) - (Rutai) to worship, to pray
* uzil - (Uweh'tal) to worship
* zaa, dzhaa - (Kjongkjong) a god, a deity

## Trivia

* Although Siangwaan is a Buddhist country, many people there use Taoist rites to worship the Gods and wights.

## See also

* Josolchir mythology
* Sarmelonid pantheon
* Hindu divine beings
	+ Porasonid mythology
	+ Tuksharan mythology
* Heronoi mythology