Di Ren Jie (狄仁杰), in hokkien we address him as Teck Lin Kiat, a very famous Premier (著名丞相) during the Tang Dynasty (Empress Wu Ze Tian's Era).
Di Ren Jie was born in Tang Dynasty Zhen Guan Period AD630 貞觀年間 (Emperor Li Shi Ming period). Due to his knowledge and wisdom, he got the 1st Official Scholar Position in the Tang Dynasty Imperial Examination (and his the 1st Scholar of the whole Tang Dynasty 唐朝首科第一狀元).
After he got the Official Title of the Scholar, he was being bestowed with other important ranking titles and assist Emperor Li Shi Ming (唐太宗李世明) in withholding of the order of the Tang Empire.
After Emperor Li Shi Ming and his son passed-away, Empress Wu Ze Tian (武則天) took over the Empire and changed the Tang Dynasty to Zhou Dynasty (國號由唐至周) but Di Ren Jie didn't leave the Imperial Court, cos he knew that, one day, he would be needed to restore the Empire of the Li Clan.
And before Di Ren Jie passed away, he assisted the young Emperor to restore the Tang Empire back.
But before he succeeds, Di Ren Jie passed away on AD700, at the age of 70 years old (享年70).
Due to his loyalty, sincerity, wisdom and creativity, the folks respect him as Deity after he passed away.
In some Religious context, he was being address as Di Wang Ye (狄王爺) or Di Qian Sui (狄千歲), meaning Duke Di.
Due to his quick promotion in the Tang Imperial Court, he was also being known as the Deity of Promotion or Career Prosperity. And today, in Chinese Opera, we can still see actors put on a white mask before and after the opera performances, the white mask actor represent Di Ren Jie (Di Qian Sui) – meaning to bless the audiences with good luck and good career.
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/562530757/pic/list
direnjie_4.jpg: Premier Di's tomb in his hometown.
ReplyDeleteNaturally I'm delighted to read about this Deity, would love to learn more , and find his statue! Ronni
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha.. Bro, will try my best to look for his statue for you :P
ReplyDeletehey bro jave, can u elaborate, normally in chinese opera, the guy with red robe and white mask, holding a white zou ban, wat is the significance of this performance? and u mean the guy is di qian sui?
ReplyDeleteDear Bro,
ReplyDeletehere's the description for the white mask officer:
Due to his quick promotion in the Tang Imperial Court, he was also being known as the Deity of Promotion or Career Prosperity. And today, in Chinese Opera, we can still see actors put on a white mask before and after the opera performances, the white mask actor represent Di Ren Jie (Di Qian Sui) – meaning to bless the audiences with good luck and good career.
brother ronni r u looking for di ren jia statue?penang got his temple&statue
ReplyDeleteNew pics added (direnjie_new23052010_01.jpg - direnjie_new23052010_03.jpg)
ReplyDeleteNew pics added (direnjie_new28122010_01.jpg - direnjie_new28122010_02.jpg)
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