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euhemerization

The theory of euhemerization was credited to Euhemerus of earlier Greece mythology; the process of an ordinary human being became or worshiped as a god or demigod. The term means the process of a person becoming, over time, recognized as a god. Bodde's The Problem of Euhermerization says that Confusianists virtues is being a gentleman, to have culture and decorum, and Taoism is the totality of natural process: “DO NOTHING”. They question the existence of these euhemerizational figures by asking many logical forms. In contrast, Prasnejit Daura’s essay gave some examples of “real” euhemerization, which implies real historical people recognized as a god. Guan Yu is a great example of real euhemerization, he was originally a historical hero during the Three Kingdom Period.

During the Chou dynasty China, the Chinese scholars like Confucius and Lao Tzu began to focus on the nature of human rather than supernatural power. A disciple of Confucius brought up a question about whether the Yellow Emperor really lived for three hundred years. Then, Confucius gave his disciples a logical explanation: Yellow emperor, indeed, an ordinary human being, who lived for one hundred years, the people enjoys the benefits under his rules; they

worship his spirit for the next one hundred years; after next one hundred years, they adopted his philosophy, in total, the Yellow Lord did live for three hundred years, which not meant to understand literally. In this context, we could see that early Chinese scholars tended to give divine characteristics to a human being. In contrast, during Confucius time, people began to think logically, more focusing on human nature and ability.

During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Haizong (1102 A.D) adopted Guan Yu as King of Military Pacifications; this is a Chinese way of naming a general. Down to the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shenzong (1513-1619 A.D) adopted as Grand Emperor. In official religion, Guan Yu was a Protector of the Empire and Patron of Military Officers, the reason he has these tittles because of his oath of loyalty in Peach Garden and integrity as a faithful general, who refused to work for Cao Cao. In popular religion, Guan Yu was a defender against demons. In Chinese way of thinking, an unexplained disease or illness was cause or possessed by demons. Therefore, they invoked Guan Yu to break the spell.

There was another story about Yellow Emperor has four faces, the word mien”faces” was taken literally by Confucius disciples. To this, Confucius explained that the Yellow Lord used for high officers to rule four corners of his

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