Pictures of Deity of Mountains (巡管一方山神祗)

Shan Shen (山神) aka Shan Chuan Shen (山川神), known as Deity of Mountains or Hills.

Usually such Deities are being honoured at rural areas, villages or plantations that are located near Mountainous area, etc.

In Ancient Era, almost every Mountain or Hill that you can see or find, there will be a Temple dedicated to the Deity, but in todays modern World, to find a small Altar that dedicated to Mountain Deity is not easy.

So what are the Tasks for Mountain Deity?

According to records, Mountain Deity(es) is there to do inspections on the Mountains, Caves, deserted area in-order to provide any demons or devils hiding inside there or harm any Mortals that passed-by or come into the Mountains or Hills.

Besides that, Mountain Deity(es) is also being appointed to work closely with the Water Deities and Earth Deities around the area to bless and protect on the Mortals that live around/in their area-of-In-charge.

And, to look after the animals that exist in the Mountains.

So who will the Mountain Deities report to?

According to Chinese Deity System, all Mountain Deities are under the supervision of Dong Yue Da Di aka The Lord Emperor of Mt Tai Shan (泰山東岳大帝).

So if there will to have any un-solvable issues and issues that associated to life & death, the Mountain Deities will have to make immediate report to Dong Yue Da Di for vetting and approval before any actions can be taken.

In Singapore, do we have any Mountain Deities?

To be more accurate, in Singapore, the Deities that in-charge of such areas can only be addressed as Hill Deities, cos in Singapore, you can never find a Mountain.

Even though we do not have an appointed Mountain Deity here, but in Singapore at Woodlands, you are able to find a Temple that dedicated an Altar to the Mountain Deity. It is quite rare to see that.

In the Modern World now, so when will Mountain Deities be invited?

Usually during Big Rituals/Ceremonies, such Deities will be invited to be the witness or to be the Protectors for the Rituals/Ceremonies.

In such Rituals/Ceremonies, big paper-dolls of Mountain Deities are being made dedicated to them, after the Rituals/Ceremonies, the paper-dolls will be burnt off – to represent sending them back to their respective allocated position.

So what are their actual forms of outlook?

Usually Mountain Deities will be made to look like Generals or Warriors.

This is to enhance their authorities in-order to ward off the Negative Entities or to scare off the Demons & Devils.