Seng Hong Ya – God of City Protector
In the people’s heart, Seng Hong Ya is a court official in the hereafter (afterlife), who can fill up the court weakness in the world, so that Seng Hong Ya is considerably respected by common people. Belief in Seng Hong Ya was originating from worship to 水庸神 Shui Yong Shen (God of Drainage Ditch Supervisor), namely one of Ba Zha Shen (God of Crops consisting of 8 Deities).
In the belief of Chinese people, Seng Hong Ya is the only God having difference of level (social level). Person who heads up the whole country is called 天下都城隍 Thian Xia Dou Cheng Huang. Person who administers a province is called 都城隍 Dou Cheng Huang. Person who administers a regent was 府城隍 Fu Cheng Huang.
城隍爺 Cheng Huang Ye {Hok Kian = Seng Hong Ya } is God of City Protector. Literally Cheng Huang means Protective Ditch of City Fortress (城 Cheng = city wall. 隍 Huang = dry ditch outside city wall).
Worship ceremony to respect Ba Zha Shen was started by Emperor Yao [B.C. 2357– 2258]. Shui Yong Shen as one of Ba Zha Shen occupied the most important position among those eight gods. Gradually the meaning of ditch was broadened including ditch or fortress protecting ditch which was called Cheng Huang.
During San Guo {Sam Kok = Three Kingdom} era [A.D. 221– 265] in Wu {Gouw} country, Cheng Huang was begun being respected separately, apart from Ba Zha Shen. In the year A.D. 239 was established a temple of 城隍廟 Cheng Huang Miao {Seng Hong Bio}, namely the first Seng Hong temple.
During Tang Dynasty era [A.D. 618 907] in each provincial capital were many temples being established to respect Seng Hong. Ever since Seng Hong was officially has come God of City Protector, with common call Cheng Huang Lao Ye {Seng Hong Lo Ya} or Cheng Huang Ye {Seng Hong Ya}.
After 明太祖 Ming Tai Zu {Beng Thai Cou} – 朱元璋 Zu Yuan Zhang the first Emperor of Ming Dynasty was in command, he was then appointed Cheng Huang in the State Capital (then in Nan Jing) as Tian Xia Dou Cheng Huang meaning God of State Capital Protector with the title of Ming Ling Wang. After that, all Cheng Huang from each provincial capital was appointed as Du Cheng Huang meaning God of Capital Protector. Then Cheng Huang of each Regency capital was awarded the title of Wei Ling Gong. Whereas in regency level was awarded a title of Ling Ying Hou and title of Xian You Bo in sub-district level. For that reason, Cheng Huang Ye has typical regional characteristics.
During this Emperor Ming Tai Zu era, the temples to do homage to Seng Hong Ya in China, their types resemble offices of government official & their rank level were also following sequence line of promotion of government officials.
During Qing Dynasty era [1644 - 1911] each government office, both military and civil, was required to establish to adore Cheng Huang next to him, as a symbol of Yang (real government, government offices) and Yin (the government by spirit, in the form of Cheng Huang temple). The officials on duty there were required to worship in each Ce It & Cap Go (the firsts and the fifteenth day of Chinese Calendar) in the said Cheng Huang temple, as a homage to the ruler from that afterlife.
Many people believe that the dead person, his departed spirit will be brought to the presence of Seng Hong Ya to be examined, then decided it will enter the heavens or hell. Seng Hong Ya had many subordinates, they among others are 文武判官 Wen Wu Pan Guan {Bun Bu Pwan Kwan} namely a civil& military prosecutor, 牛頭馬面 Niu Tou Ma Mian {Gu Thou Be Bin} namely Cow head & Horse face man, Qi Ye Ba Ye also called 大爺二爺 Da Ye Er Ye (also see article on Da Ye Er Ye – Tall & Short God– Archive of March 2008), then there are other 24 officials called Er Shi Si Si {Ji Cap Si Su}.
Cheng Huang Ye was a ruler from the hereafter but his power also included in the world. He was adored as model of an ideal and honest high-rank official. If there were two parties in dispute, they would go to Cheng Huang Temple to swear each other. In the anniversary his birthday was held Gotong Toa Pe Kong ceremony with the theme of Cheng Huang Ye Inspects his people.
There were several Cheng Huang temples that had direct connection to Dong Yue Miao (temple of the place to worship Dong Yue Da Di, Gods of the Ruler of East Mountain). In addition to, Dong Yue Da Di, it was sculpted 10 King of the Hereafter and 18-level of Hell. It described that in the hereafter there will be any sequences of investigation. After being investigated carefully in Cheng Huang location, the spirit would be brought to the presence of Dong Yue Da Di, and carried on to the site of King of Hell, Yan Luo Wang { Hok Kian = Giam Lo Ong } to be imprisoned to the Hell.
Beliefs in Seng Hong Ya were spread from generation to generation in the circle of people. The people believed that the killing heroes, good people or people who have been deserved well for the society, would be appointed become Seng Hong Ya. Consequently, in a range of cities respected Seng Hong Ya was different. For instance, in Hang Zhou city, capital of Zhe Jiang province, prominent figure considered as Seng Hong Ya was Zhou Xin. Zhou Xin was a description of an honest & emphatic court official in his effort to uphold the justice, non bribable and unafraid of being threatened, even by the very authoritative person indeed. In Gun Ming city, a capital of Yun Nan province, person who was appointed as Seng Hong Ya was Yu Qian, a prominent figure during Ming Dynasty era who had ever become a prime minister.
Atmosphere of Cheng Huang temple is usually majestic. There is a big plank inscribed with: You will also be here if your time is coming. It is also equipped with a big abacus, stating that the angles here were honest, non bribable. What you have done during your life in the world, it will be reckoned accurately.
Temple for the worship of Cheng Huang Ye is one of the big temples and widely spread in China. Nearly in each big and small city there are Cheng Huang Miao.
In Tainan, Taiwan there are 3 Cheng Huang Miao. Cities in Southeast Asia there are also many temples that worship Cheng Huang Ye. They among others are in Singapore, adoration to Cheng Huang Ye is in Kelenteng Hong San Si Temple in Sultan Muhammad Road.
Such was the origin of worship to Seng Hong Ya has been started since more than 4,300 years ago!!!
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