Titles, Addresses, Ranks, bestowed names for Deities and Historical Characters
In order for our other fellow members (non-Chinese) to have a better understanding on the “beauty” of our Chinese titles/names/etc, I’ve come out with this listing, hope that it does somehow helps in the future referencing
I will break-up the list into different categories, so as to make it easier to reference/etc:
Royal Related:
Emperor, chn: Huang/Di/Jun, hkk: Hong/Teh/Ghun(Ghoon)
This ranking, can consider as the highest among all. In History, he(she) is the leader of the country/empire, one order from him(her) can be destructive.
In Deities System, who uses this title? Let’s check it out:
1 Jade Emperor, chn: Yu Huang Da Di/Yu Huang Shang Di, hkk: Tee Kong/Giok Hong
2 chn: Xuan Tian Shang Di, hkk: Shiong Teh Kong/Shiong Teh Yah
3 chn: Wen Chang Di Jun, hkk: Boon Chiong Teh Ghun(Ghoon)
Duke, chn: Wang Ye/Qian Sui, hkk: Ong Yah(Yeh)/Qian Sui
Usually the title Duke is bestowed or being appointed by the Emperor in the past and of ‘cos, Emperor is the only one in the Imperial System who has the authorities or powers to given such titles.
So what are the duties for such a rank? Usually nothing important, such Dukes will only come in “good use” or become “important” when he(or a grp) being appointed to go to the common-areas to make inspections (chn: Dai Tian Xun Shou, hkk: Shun Shiew).
So who are the Deities in the system that have such titles? Here’s the list:
1 The Nine Emperors, chn: Jiu Huang Da Di (expectional case)/ Jiu Wang Ye, hkk: Kiew Hong Yah/Kiew Ong Yah
2 Various Deities/Historical Characters that had been bestowed in their Era, eg: Yue Fei – hkk: Gah Hwee (Song Dynasty), Guo Zi Yi – hkk: Kwek Zu Yee (Tang Dynasty), Guan Yu – hkk: Guan Gong (Three Kingdom), etc
In Chinese, we never used chn: Jiu Qian Sui, hkk: Kiew Qian Sui, to address a Deity. Reason, such a title was used by the evil Eunuch in Ming Dynasty, in-order not to “downgrade” the reputation, Chinese will tend to replace Qian Sui with Wang Ye when addressing a Deity that is at the Ninth place in the Duke group.
Empress, chn: Hou, hkk: Hor/Hio
This is the title for the initial wife of the Emperor. In the Imperial System, she’s the one who was put in-charge of all the concubines, maids, princesses, etc (all female staffs of the Imperial Family will so-called “registered” under her “department”).
Any duties for her? Definitely Yes. She had to assist the Emperor, so-called her husband, to look after the order in the whole “family”. Her main duty would be, to give birth to a crown prince to take over the throne from her husband to continue the lineage of the Empire.
A good Empress would always “enlighten” the Emperor of not to get work-out over certain issues whereas a not-so-good Empress would always be there to do certain planning against all concubines who wanted to “snatch” the position of Empress away from her.
Famous Empresses in Ancient Chinese History:
Good Empress: Wife of Emperor Tang Tai Zong, named Chang Sun Wu Gou
Not-so-good Empress: Wife of Han Wu Emperor, named Chen A Jiao
So in the Deities System, who fits the title? Here she is:
Mother Queen of the Western Paradise, chn: Xi Wang Mu/Wang Mu Niang Niang/Yao Chi Jin Mu, hkk: Ong Boo Niew Niew/Ong Mu
She was believed to be the wife of Jade Emperor and was given the duty of looking after all Female Immortals/Enlightened female priests/etc.
In early folks’ belief, Wang Mu was mistaken as the mother of Jade Emperor, but after certain mix-and-match, folks “decided” to take her in as the “wife” of Jade Emperor. This conclusion is widely recognized by the folks now.
Concubine, chn: Fei, hkk: Hwee/Ong Hwee
This is the title given to the other wives beside the first wife, so-called the concubine.
Usually the second wife of the Emperor would be bestowed with the title Xi Gong, translated as Western Chamber of the Imperial Court. In certain dynasties, Xi Gong does have the authorities to make some decisions.
As in Deities System, Mother Queen is believed to be the ONLY wife that Jade Emperor “married” to and so, such title is given to other important female deities like:
1 Goddess of the Sea, chn: Ma Zu, hkk: Ma Chor
Motherly role, chn: Niang Niang, hkk: Niew Niew
This is a title that is being widely used all over different eras and also in Deities System.
This is a respectful title to be given to female deities or ranked female character.
In Deities System, almost all female deities are given the title Niew Niew, here’s the prove:
1 Goddess of the Ninth Heaven, chn: Jiu Tian Niang Niang/Jiu Tian Xuan Nv, hkk: Kiew Thian Niew Niew/Kiew Thian Hian Ru
2 Goddess of the Birth, chn: Zhu Sheng Niang Niang, hkk: Zu Si Niew Niew
3 Goddess of the Earth, chn: Di Mu Niang Niang, hkk: D’hey Boo Niew Niew
Military Related:
Marshal, chn: Yuan Shuai, hkk: Guan Shui/Wan Shui
This is the title that is being given to a General (well-equipped with the knowledge and skills for fighting wars and able to lead troops of armies).
Usually such a title will only be given out upon the Emperor sending off the troops to fight for a war.
In the past, such a role will be presented with a Golden Seal, an Imperial Sword and a Command Flag, before the appointed General set off for the fighting.
Use of Golden Seal – needed to endorsed on letters that sent back to the Imperial Court
Use of Imperial Sword – able to kill any rebellious soldiers at the border without seeking permission from the Emperor
Use of Command Flag – to gather the troops of Armies and also a sign of recognition by the Imperial Court that this is the right guy that the Emperor appointed to be the leader of the millions soldiers
After getting all these stuffs, the “Lunar Custom Officer” will choose an auspicious date for the Marshal to put on the Marshal robe, meet the troops and lead the group to worship the main Flag for the troops (usually this flag will be in black or red color, the Marshal will need to slaughter a living stock in-front of the flag and uses the fresh blood to endorse on the flag before it can be used).
So in the Deities System, who are the appointed Celestial Marshals? Here’s the list:
1 Heavenly King of the Pagoda, chn: Li Jing, hkk: Lee Zeng -> being appointed as the overall in-charge of the Celestial Heavenly Troops
2 3rd Prince Li, chn: Li Na Zha, hkk: Lee Lor Cha -> being appointed as the Marshal of the Central Camp (according to folks’ belief extracted from the “Creation of Deities”)
3 The other 4 Marshals from the Five Directional Camps, includes, Eastern Camp: Lei Zhen Zi, hkk: Lwi Jing Zu, Southern Camp: Nan Gong Shi, hkk: Nam Gong Si, Western Camp: Yang Jian, hkk: Yew Jian and Northern Camp: Wu Ji, hkk: Bhoo Kiat
General, chn: Jiang Jun/Jiang Jun Ye, hkk: Jiong Khun/Jiong Khun Yah
This is the title that given to soldiers who have made certain credits during the war or for completing of certain tasks.
Sometimes, the title General can also be given to characters that are known as Marshal, Yuan Shuai in Chinese.
Here, General is considered as the assistant or right-hand man of the Marshal during the war.
Some soldiers could be bestowed with this title even-though they didn’t make any credits by going war. Emperor would use such a title to reward those who show loyalty to him or after completing certain tasks (some are given the title before they go-out to complete certain tasks).
Some Generals will also be given an Imperial Sword, only if they are appointed to do inspection out of the Capital. Each General will be given a seal, size much smaller than those hold by Marshals.
When a soldier is given the title General, he(she) will also be allocated with certain number of soldiers to follow him.
So who are the appointed Generals in the Deities System? Let’s have a check:
1 The 36 Celestial General (36 Thian Khun) who assist Shiong Teh Kong, Bao Sheng Da Di and Li Jing to guard against any unnecessary issues happened in the Celestial Court
2 The 3 Heavenly Generals of the Heavenly Gate (Tian Men San Jiang Jun, hkk: Thian Men Sam Jiong Khun), guard against all entrance and exit from the Heavenly Gate
Vanguard, chn: Xian Feng/Xian Feng Guan, hkk: Xian Hong/Xian Hong Guan
This role is appointed by Marshal or General when a troop is out for fighting for war or certain mass-events.
The duty for such a role is to check on the situation around the area that the troops will pass-by or the areas that the troops going to set their tents or territory.
He(she) also needed to make reports at all time to keep the Marshal or General updated on the situations around the areas.
So how does a Xian Hong look like?
Usually a Xian Hong will be equipped with a Flag (can be red or white), when the other soldiers notice that a Xian Hong will be passing-by through the way, all soldiers will give way to him(her), as the others know that he(she) has certain reports to be made to the Marshals or Generals. Those who obstruct the event of a Xian Hong, he(she) can be beheaded.
In the Deities System, only one well-known Deity is given the title Xian Hong, which is Hei Ling Jiang Jun, hkk: Orh Leng Jiong Khun.
During big celebrations/events or ceremonies that needed “assistance” from the Spiritual Armies, a flag, that represent the Xian Hong, named Hei Ling Qi, hkk: Orh Leng Ki, will be used and place in-front of all major altars or ceremony sites.
Reporting Officer, chn: Zhong Jun/Zhong Jun Ye, hkk: Tiong Khun/Tiong Khun Yah
This role is usually appointed by Dukes or Lords.
The duties of such a role are to assist the Dukes or Lords to gather reports or to entertain guests when big events taking place at the Mansion of the Duke/Lord or during Morning Meeting with Emperor or other high-rank officers.
To be more accurate, such a role is just a doorman for high-rank officers.
A Military related high-rank officer will engaged a skilled/martial-trained Zhong Jun whereas an Administrative related high-rank officer will engage a well-educated Zhong Jun for his services.
In Deities System, such a role can consider as the lowest rank of all. Such a role can only be found in temples or altars that are dedicated to Dukes or Lords or high-ranking Deities with titles related to Military.
Administrative Related:
Premier, chn: Chen Xiang/Xiang Ye, hkk: Shin Siong/Siong Yah
This is a title that is given by the Emperor.
In the Imperial System, such a rank can consider as the highest. With such a title, the Premier can make decision on behalf for the Emperor (can be war-fighting or revolution actions, etc).
A good Premier will assist the Emperor till he’s not able to provide any more services whereas a not-so-good Premier will grab opportunities to overthrown the Emperor and gained the throne for himself.
In Ancient Chinese History, some well-known Premiers are:
1 Liu Bo Wen, hkk: Lau Piek Woon – Ming Dynasty, assist Emperor Zhu Yuan Zhang to get his Empire, after he’s tasks completed, he went into deserted forest to get self-cultivate for Taoism
2 Wei Zheng, hkk: Wee Zeng – Tang Dynasty, assist Emperor Tang Tai Zong to gain his power and presented various comments and suggestions on how to make his Empire more wealthy and stronger
3 Cao Cao, hkk: Cho Cho – Three Kingdom, hold almost all the authorities in the Imperial Court, consider as a Rebel Hero in that era
So, in the Deities System, who are the Celestial Premiers? Here they are:
1 Xu Xun, hkk: Koh Shun, well-known as Gan Tian Da Di, hkk: Gam Thian Dai Teh, born in Eastern Jin Dynasty
2 Zhang Ling aka Zhang Dao Ling, hkk: Theo Leng/Theo Dho Leng, Master of Taoism, being given the title of Heavenly Master
3 Ge Hong, hkk: Kha Hong/Khay Hong
According to myths and records, these Celestial Premiers are to assist the Jade Emperor on administrative issues like skills, educating, passing-down of comments/etc.
Excellency/Lord, chn: Da Ren, hkk: Dai Lin
This is a title that is appointed by the Emperor or promoted from lower rank officer to a higher rank.
In the past, a person can only gained such a “job” by passing the Imperial Examination/etc, being a small rank officer at an area/state and then slowly get promoted.
In the Imperial System, Excellency’s ranking can be divided into 9 stages.
Starting from the lowest of 9th Grade to the highest of 1st Grade.
As a person gets promoted, the robe, the seal and the tasks for his position will also changed.
For a normal officer, his duties are to solve un-solved cases, passing judgment to guilty subject, making requests to Imperial Court on behalf of commoners/folks, etc.
In Ancient Chinese History, there are quite a few well-known Excellences:
1 Bao Zheng, hkk: Bao Jing, well-known as Bao Gong – born in Song Dynasty. In later part of his life, he was promoted to a Duke
2 Hai Rui, hkk: Hai Swee – born in Ming Dynasty
3 Lin Ze Xu, hkk: Lim Zhe Ci – born in Qing Dynasty, set rules to stop opium from entering into China
For the Deities System, folks have imported the Historical Characters in from the Ancient Chinese History of various Dynasties.
Reasons for such importing:
1 Almost all Chinese are involved in Ancestor Worshipping. With such a traditional, Chinese will tend to pay attention on Hero of various Dynasties or historical characters that have good reputation or so
2 Allowing all descendants to know who are the famous Characters in various dynasties, what they have done to help the commoners/folks/etc
3 To keep in Memorial and sincerely respect them just like one’s ancestors
*(Exception) Madam, chn: Fu Ren, hkk: Hoo Lin/Hoo Jin
This is a title for ladies who are being bestowed by Emperor or married to a husband who is bestowed or appointed a certain ranking by the Emperor.
In the folks culture (Chinese Etiquette), as a form of respect, we also address Ladies who are more elderly or higher level than us as Fu Ren.
For those who are bestowed by the Emperor, they will used the theme Gao Ming Fu Ren, hkk: Ko Meng Hoo Lin (Jin).
Administrators, chn: Si Ye, hkk: Su Yah
This is the title for officers who are appointed to do recording for future references, such as Cases, Funds, Man-power, Birth & Death, Illnesses, etc.
Usually in the Imperial System, there will be a leading officer who’s put in-charge of all such minor departments (each department will be put in-charge for one subject).
So in the Deities System, is there any Administrator Officers being appointed? Yes, there are, the most well-known will be the 24 Departments for Recording which service in the Nether World.
Commoners Related:
Mister, chn: Ye/Gong, hkk: Yah/Kong
This is a common and polite addressing to someone we respect or so.
In the past, when you address someone that is of elderly or more higher level than you, you will need to add a Ye or Gong at the back of his surname or name.
So who are the Deities in the Deities System that we add such an addressing? They are:
1 Earth Deity, chn: Tu Di Gong, hkk: Toh Tey Kong – in-charge of the land where mortals live on
2 City Deity, chn: Cheng Huang Ye/Cheng Huang Gong, hkk: Sheng Hong Yah/Sheng Hong Kong – in-charge of the daily blessing on the folks living in the City
3 Kitchen Deity, chn: Zhao Jun Ye/Zhao Jun Gong, hkk: Zhao Ghun Yah/Zhao Ghun Kong – in-charge of the fire of one household, record all credits/merits that the family members have
Maiden, chn: Gu Niang, hkk: Khor Niew
This is an address that we, Chinese, give to young ladies (approx age from after puberty to before marriage), to be more exact, ladies whom are eligible for such an address shall be a virgin (maybe a bit crude).
In Deities System, this address is given to young female deities or Historical Characters.
In Singapore, the most well-known Deity that folks pay respect too will be Maiden Lin of Redhill, hkk: Ang Shua Lim Khor Niew (People might question this, didn’t Maiden Lin get married and yet she’s given the address Maiden? This is the hidden part of the myth/history that people don’t understands, so, let’s keep it a secret for the next generation to find out).
Nanny/Grandaunt, chn: Gu Po/Nai Niang, hkk: Khor Phor/Nee Niew/Nee Bhoo
Khor Phor is an address that we give to older ladies whom we respect whereas Nee Bhoo is an address given to nannies who are engaged to look after new born babies.
In Deities System, the assistants of Goddess of Birth are address as Khor Phor or Nee Niew, this is the form of respect that devotees give to them, hoping that after they pay respect to the nannies, the nannies will give blessing to the infants just like their own babies/grandchildren/etc.