What is the evolution process of the Chenghuang from a natural god to a human god?

The god of the city god gradually transitioned from a nature god to a personal god, and in traditional societies, it was hoped that the heroic spirit would remain after the death of the hero.

The god of the city god gradually transitioned from a god of nature to a god of man, and in traditional society, people still wanted to have gods.

In fact, it is the meritorious person who is respected and worshiped by everyone, and over time it becomes a myth.

The main reason is that Taoism calls the Chenghuang priesthood to cut off the evil and lead the souls of the dead.

The gods of nature became human gods, heroes who served the people to local officials who served the feudal ruling class.

In ancient times, people believed that everything related to life was protected by the gods, and slowly became mythologized.

Mainly through Wu Chengen's Journey to the West, it slowly evolved into the current human god.

In traditional societies, people still want gods to exist. In fact, it is the meritorious person who is respected and worshiped by everyone

It is hoped that the heroic spirit will remain after the death of the hero and protect himself as a local god. The process in which the gods of nature evolved into human gods.

The earliest documentary record of the term "Chenghuang" can be traced back to "Zhou Yi Taifeng": "The city is restored to the God, do not use the teacher"; The "city" here refers to the "city outline", "city wall", "city wall", "city wall", "city wall", "city moat", refers to the moat outside the city, that is, the "moat", and the meaning of "city god" is to defend the moat.

It means that if the city wall is overturned, it is a bad omen, and those who are in power should stop fighting and not use military force.

The Book of Liang and the Biography of Lu Xiang also recorded that Lu Xiang once led the people in the city to repair the city together.

Shuo Wen Jie Zi said: "City, to Sheng Min", "God, the city also." There is water and a pool, and there is no water to say that "Zhou Yi" also has the saying "the city is restored to the god, do not use the teacher".

The word "Chenghuang" was used in conjunction with the first time in Bangu's "Liangdu Fu Preface": "Jingshi repairs the palace room, Jun Chenghuang" The worship of the god of Chenghuang, the ancients began with Yao, began with the Han Dynasty, and began with the Three Kingdoms Zhushu, but the evidence is insufficient and cannot be trusted. Those who have history to collect, about in the Northern and Southern Dynasties "Northern Qi Shu Murong Yan Biography" contained:

In the sixth year of Emperor Tianbao (555) of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, Murong Yan guarded Yingcheng and was surrounded by the Liang army of the Southern Dynasty, and the Liang army cut off the waterway with Dihong**, and the situation was critical.

There is a shrine in the city, commonly known as the god of the city god, and there is a prayer for public and private. So the heart of the soldier is to pray for the blessing of the dead. Suddenly, the wind rises, the waves surge, and the flood is broken" This is the earliest record of the appearance of the god of the city god to protect the city.