Nezha is a protection deity in Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese folk religion. His official Taoist name is "Marshal of the Central Altar" (中壇元帥). He was then given the title "Third Lotus Prince" (蓮花三太子) after he became a deity.
Nezha in Fengshen Yanyi
An image of baby Krishna displayed during Janmashtami celebrations.
Na Tcha Temple of the Centre of Macau, a Nezha temple behind the Ruins of St. Paul, in Macau.
The Investiture of the Gods, also known by its Chinese names Fengshen Yanyi (Chinese: 封神演義; pinyin: Fēngshén Yǎnyì; Wade–Giles: Fêng1-shên2 Yan3-yi4; Jyutping: Fung1 San4 Jin2 Ji6) and Fengshen Bang (封神榜), is a 16th-century Chinese novel and one of the major vernacular Chinese works in the gods and demons (shenmo) genre written during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Consisting of 100 chapters, it was first published in book form between 1567 and 1619. Another source claims it was published in a finalized edition in 1605. The work combines elements of history, folklore, mythology, legends and fantasy.
Cover of the Investiture of the Gods, book two, from the Harvard University's rare books collection
Illustrations of Fengshen Yanyi from an edition of the novel featuring commentary by Zhong Xing (1574–1625) (book one)
Illustrations of Fengshen Yanyi. Left: Bi Gan and Wen Zhong; Right: King Zhou of Shang and Daji
Illustrations of Fengshen Yanyi. Left: Yang Jian and Nezha; Right: Su Hu and Huang Feihu
