The Celestial Administration
Worship in the Celestial Administration: A Journey of Virtue and Ethical Living
In the boundless realm of Rolara, the Celestial Administration reigns, its doctrine rooted in unique mythology and history. It tells of a cosmic egg, birthplace of the universe and the primordial god Mazu, who forged the world of Rolara and its denizens. The Four Sovereigns, born from the union of heavens and earth, held sway in this primordial epoch, ruling over heaven, earth, sea, and fire. Their tales, though ancient, still echo within the teachings of the Celestial Administration, their places now filled by the Nine Golden Immortals, the Nine Generals of Heaven, and the Eighteen Deities, all who are revered by the denizens of the Celestial Empire today.
The cosmological order of Rolara, though subject to scholarly debate, is generally agreed upon. It started with one, then two, then three, from which the Four Sovereigns were born. These entities are interchangeably referred to as the Celestial Administration of the Universe or the Celestial Empire of the God-Rulers, depending on one's location within Ofica. At the pinnacle of this hierarchy today are The Three Total Ones: the Jade Totality, the High Totality, and the Supreme Totality, who govern the universe with the aid of their celestial ministers. From major to minor, each deity plays a role, some born as mortals, some as genies, and others even hailing from the realms of devils, yet all crucial in the divine order.
The Celestial Administration's cosmological view pivots around the belief in an ever-changing, eternal universe. This fluid existence is mirrored in the Jiao religion, which extols the importance of balance, harmony, and interconnectedness in all things. The universe, for them, is an endless flow of energy and matter, its rhythms and forces the path to spiritual harmony and enlightenment. This worldview has left indelible marks on the Mythic Land of Jiao, permeating its art, literature, politics, and social structures.
Worship in the Celestial Administration centers around the Three Total Ones, though other minor deities and spirits do not lack their share of reverence. Devotees uphold the values of the Celestial Administration - respect for authority, harmony, balance, and moral standards - through offerings, prayers, reading scriptures, and living a virtuous life. They commemorate festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, moments of familial reunion and tradition. Additionally, the belief in Feng Shui guides their lives, from the orientation of buildings to the arrangement of furniture, all in a bid to harmonize with the environment. Thus, the religion of the Celestial Administration underscores the importance of living in harmony with the natural world and others, all while striving for personal and spiritual growth.
Mythology & Lore
Rolara has its own unique mythology and history, which underpins the teachings and beliefs of the Celestial Administration. The creation myth of Rolara tells of a great cosmic egg that contained the universe. Within the egg, the primordial god Mazu was born, who then created the world of Rolara and its inhabitants.
The ancient gods and heroes of Rolara are known as the Four Sovereigns, who were said to have been born from the union of the heavens and the earth. The first of these Sovereigns was the Jade Emperor, who ruled over the heavens and was worshiped as the king of all gods. The second was the Earthly Emperor, who ruled over the earth and was worshiped as the king of all mortals. The third was the Water Emperor, who ruled over the oceans and was worshiped as the protector of all sea creatures. The fourth was the Fire Emperor, who ruled over the fires and was worshiped as the bringer of warmth and light.
As time passed, the Four Sovereigns were replaced by newer deities, and their stories and legends became the basis of the teachings and beliefs of the Celestial Administration. The Nine Golden Immortals, the Nine Generals of Heaven, and the Eighteen Deities all feature prominently in Rolara's mythology, and are still worshiped by the people of the Celestial Empire today.
Divine Origins
Although the precise order and nature of cosmology is debated by scholars in the courts of Jiaohai, most agree on the events that led to the creation of Rolara. In the traditional telling, "From one came two, from two came Three, and from those Three the four Sovereigns came."
This heirarchy is interchangeably called either the Celestial Administration of the Universe or the Celestial Empire of the God-Rulers, depending on where on Ofica you currently find yourself. Today, at the top of that hierarchy are The Three Total Ones, consisting of the Jade Totality, the High Totality, and the Supreme Totality.
The Jade Totality used to administer the Celestial Courts, until he had his assistant the Jade God take over his role. The Jade God was among the company of three other celestials. All together, they were known as the Four Who Ruled the Universe. They include Jiaoshe the North Star, Angding (a.k.a. Rolara), and Gochen the Little One. These four ministers in total, and their subordinates, are responsible for the entire universe.
There are, of course, innummerable minor deities in charge of everything from the mundane to the miraculous, the tedious and the whimsical. There are the Nine Golden Immortals, the Nine Generals of Heaven, and these eighteen deities take up the majority of cult worship throughout the area, and analogs of these deities are worshipped as far away as Jeonbye.
Notable among the minor deities that are popularly worshipped is the deity Kwanyinshe, the Compassionate Mother of Mercy, and the deity Lu Dingshe, the Drunken Immortal. While four of the Nine Golden Immortals are better thought of as Genies, and a further three were said to be born in Heaven, Kwanyinshe and Lu Dingshe are both believed to have been mortals once. Bi Zhashe, one of the Nine Generals of Heaven, used to be a Devil and worked in the Baator Conglomerate as a chief of security. He was recruited by the Jade God for his tenacity, adherence to the law, and ruthlessness.
There are, of course, innummerable minor deities in charge of everything from the mundane to the miraculous, the tedious and the whimsical. There are the Nine Golden Immortals, the Nine Generals of Heaven, and these eighteen deities take up the majority of cult worship throughout the area, and analogs of these deities are worshipped as far away as Jeonbye.
Notable among the minor deities that are popularly worshipped is the deity Kwanyinshe, the Compassionate Mother of Mercy, and the deity Lu Dingshe, the Drunken Immortal. While four of the Nine Golden Immortals are better thought of as Genies, and a further three were said to be born in Heaven, Kwanyinshe and Lu Dingshe are both believed to have been mortals once. Bi Zhashe, one of the Nine Generals of Heaven, used to be a Devil and worked in the Baator Conglomerate as a chief of security. He was recruited by the Jade God for his tenacity, adherence to the law, and ruthlessness.
Cosmological Views
According to the belief of the Jiao people, the universe has always existed and is in a constant state of flux and change. The world was not created in a single act, but rather emerged from a primordial chaos that was inherently dynamic and ever-changing. The universe is seen as a vast, interconnected system that is always evolving and adapting.
This belief is reflected in the Jiao religion, which emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony in all things. The Jiao believe that everything in the universe is interconnected and that all things are part of a greater whole. They see the world as a dynamic system of forces, with everything in a constant state of flux and change.
In this worldview, there are no fixed entities or boundaries between things. Instead, everything is seen as part of a continuous flow of energy and matter. The Jiao believe that it is through understanding and aligning oneself with these natural forces that one can achieve spiritual harmony and enlightenment.
Overall, the Jiao religion emphasizes the importance of being attuned to the rhythms of the universe and working to maintain balance and harmony in all things. This belief system has had a profound influence on the culture and philosophy of the Mythic Land of Jiao, shaping everything from its art and literature to its politics and social structures.
Worship
In the religion of the Celestial Administration, worship is primarily directed towards the Three Total Ones, the Jade Totality, the High Totality, and the Supreme Totality. Other minor deities and spirits are also worshipped, but the majority of religious practices focus on the Total Ones.
Regular practices include offerings of food and incense at household altars or in temples dedicated to the Total Ones. Followers of the religion also strive to live a virtuous life, guided by the principles of the Celestial Administration. These principles include respect for authority, harmony, and balance, and adherence to moral and ethical standards.
Rituals and traditions vary depending on the region and the specific practices of each community. However, some common practices include meditation, prayer, and the reading of scriptures. Special festivals are also celebrated throughout the year, such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are occasions for family reunions and traditional meals.
Another important aspect of the religion is the belief in Feng Shui, the practice of arranging living spaces and buildings in harmony with the surrounding environment. This includes considerations such as the orientation of a building, the placement of furniture, and the use of colors and materials.
Overall, the religion of the Celestial Administration emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world and with others, while striving to achieve personal and spiritual growth.
Maps
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Mythic Land of Jiao
Far to the north of the continent Ofica is a mythic land called Jiao. A world of martial arts, rich history and magic awaits.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Alternative Names
The Celestial Empire of God-Rulers
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Leader
Leader Title
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Divines
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