Celestial Dog Figure Of Chinese Mythology

The Celestial Dog is a figure of Chinese mythology which has inextricable associations with the constellation of Sirius or the Dog Star. The figure appears in many forms in the mythologies from all around the world. A dog-like figure with supernatural connotations appears in Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese and Hindu mythologies with different meanings and subtexts.

In Chinese mythology, the Celestial Dog is a thunder and lightening deity and there are many references to it in ancient Chinese books. In a book titled, Myths of Pre-Columbia, author Donald A.MacKenzie lists many references to the dog-like spirit who brings down heavy rain and is associated with loud thunderous peals and flashes of lightening. In Hindu mythology too, as evident from the Maya codices, the dog is associated with the sign for night, with the god of death and with the storm and lightening.

In Japanese mythology, the Celestial Dog was often confused with the long-nosed Tengu. The union of the images of the thunder bird like Garuda or the thunder god (with the long nose or elephants trunk) with that of the serpent, Naga, took place in India. It was then taken up by the northern Buddhists who declared both the Nagas and Garudas, mighty figures of the Hindu world of gods and demons to be obedient servants of Buddha. In this way gods of a new country were adopted as protectors of Buddhism instead of its antagonists.

The mythological figure of the Celestial Dog is deeply associated with the constellation Sirius or the Dog Star. The dog Sirius is a watchman of the heavens, fixed at one place like the bridge of the Milky Way, keeping guard over the abyss into incarnation. The Dog Star is thus a symbol pf power, will, steadfastness and signifies one who has succeeded in bridging the higher and lower consciousness.

The association of Sirius with a Celestial Dog has been consistent throughout the mythologies of the classical world. In China, the star was identified as heavenly wolf. In ancient Chaldea – which is present-day Iraq – the star was known as the Dog Star that Leads or it was called the Star of the Dog. In Assyria it was known as the Dog of the Sun and in ancient Accadia, as the Dog Star of the Sun.

According to one of the Chinese myths, during a solar eclipse a Celestial Dog continuously tries to swallow up the sun; in fact, the male of the pair of Foo dogs is usually shown playing with a splendid ball. Foo dogs are a kind of bronze or ceramic guardian dog or temple dog figures which have actually evolved from the lions that support Buddha Shakyamunis throne. Foo is also the name given to a relatively rare breed of dog of the Spitz family and is known by other names like Sacred Dog of Sinkiang or Chinese Choo Hunting Dog. Souledout

Celestial Dog Figure Of Chinese Mythology was written on January 14, 2008 posted in Religion & Faith and tag Religion & Faith. Wiki Pages on January 14, 2008

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