Jintong (mythology)

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Jintong (Chinese: 金童; pinyin: Jīntóng; lit. 'Golden Boy') is a deity in Chinese mythology and Chinese traditional religion who, along with his female counterpart Yunü (Jade Girl), are favored servants of the Jade Emperor and Zhenwudadi.^[1] They are believed to serve as guides in the underworld and the protectors of the houses and temples.

Legends[]

Golden Boy and Jade Girl have appeared in several stories since the Song and Yuan dynasties and have became important figures in Chinese mythology. Specific examples are the southern opera version of the legend, Jintong and Yunü, and Yuan dynasty writer 's zaju by the same name.

In the Avatamsaka Sutra, Jintong and Yunü seek enlightenment and are acolytes of the goddess Guan Yin. In this context, Yunü is called Longnü and Jintong is called Shancai Tongzi.

Some folktales say that and Fan Lihua were originally the Golden Boy and Jade Girl. The Jade Emperor was furious with them and wanted to punish them for breaking the celestial utensils. Fortunately, the Old Man of the South Pole begged for their mercy and was demoted to the mortal world.

In popular culture[]

• Literary works often refer to attractive and well-matched couples as a Jintong and Yunü.
• During the Spring Festival, pictures featuring Yunü and Jintong can be found on the doors of many households.

References[]

Sources[]

• Li Jianping 李劍平, ed. (1998). Zhongguo shenhua renwu cidian 中國神話人物辞典 (Xi'an : Shanxi renmin chubanshe), 144.