The origin of the presence of Gods and deities in China is unknown - many have even speculated that worship of human entities coincided with the Big Bang.
Each Chinese god and deity serve as a patron saint of sorts for all kinds of aspects in the life of a person. For instance, the God Shou, with his benevolent smile and rickety walking stick, is a symbol of good health and longevity whereas the sublime Kuan Yin, known as the Goddess of Mercy is venerated for her ability in elevating suffering and struggle as well as bestow fertility to women who wish to conceive. The General warlord, Kuan Kung, is an almost permanent feature in all Oriental office spaces for his sagacity, prudence and authoritativeness.
China has a huge collection of gods and deities, and most are actually deified humans - from Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) to Kuan Kung (Eastern Han Dynasty, 160 - 219) to the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin (907 - 1125) and more. Therefore, there is a distinct touch of vulnerability to each Chinese God, since they are never portrayed as being omnipotent and all-perfect. Indeed, classic Chinese texts are ridden with witty anecdotes of the misadventures of the Gods themselves, focusing on the human touch.
Though this is the case, all deities are venerated as religiously as any god within the Chinese pantheon.
China and Buddhism
Historical record has it that two Buddhist missionaries from India, on the 30th day of the 12th month, in the year 68 AD, arrived at the court of Emperor Mind of the Han Dynasty. Buddhism soon took roots in the Chinese soil covering the entire country with monasteries which welcome all who felt a call for the unhappy, the unwanted and those who have noble intentions.
As a result of the seeds sown by the Indian missionaries, Buddhism soon flowered into a number of distinctive schools which were the products of the Chinese mind. Each of these schools developed its own method of practice basing on a particular text and appealing to different sets of people.
A such, the venerated image of the Buddha is often featured in households of both Buddhists and followers of Taoism.
Image of Gods and Deities in Households and Premises
The Chinese and followers of Oriental practices would often decorate the altars, mantels and other elevated heights of their home with images of Gods such as the Buddha, Kuan Yin, Tua Peh Kong and more.
Followers of Taoism would also offer their Gods goodies such as orange fruit, colorful cakes, flower blossoms and small glasses of wine. A modern approach would be to simply tuck a Buddha or other God statuette among treasured picture frames for extra good luck.
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