Leizhenzi ( zh, c=雷震子, p=Léizhènzǐ) is a character in the classic Chinese novel ''

Investiture of the Gods ''The Investiture of the Gods'', also known by its Chinese titles () and is a 16th-century Chinese novel and one of the major Written vernacular Chinese, vernacular Chinese works in the gods and demons (''shenmo'') genre written during the Min ...

'' (''Fengshen Yanyi''). He is also regarded as one of Chinese thunder gods.

Legends

In ''Fengshen Yanyi'', Leizhenzi is a celestial being that had been created by a great thunderstorm at Mount Swallow.

Ji Chang King Wen of Zhou ( zh, c=周文王, p=Zhōu Wén Wáng; 1152–1050 BC, the Cultured King) was the posthumous title given to Ji Chang ( zh, c=姬昌), the patriarch of the predynastic Zhou, Zhou state during the final years of Shang dynasty in ...

had been the one to first receive the small newborn and thus the baby became known as the third son of Ji Chang. However,

Yunzhongzi Yunzhongzi () is a character from the classic Chinese novel '' Fengshen Yanyi''. Yunzhongzi is a renowned immortal of the Jade Column Cave atop Mount South End. After the sinister Daji had taken her grasp over King Zhou of Shang, Yunzhongzi was t ...

would take the newborn in as his own disciple; for he was destined to assist in the creation of the new

Zhou dynasty The Zhou dynasty ( ) was a royal dynasty of China that existed for 789 years from until 256 BC, the longest span of any dynasty in Chinese history. During the Western Zhou period (771 BC), the royal house, surnamed Ji, had military ...

. Seven years later, at a time in which Ji Chang was fleeing for his life from the capital after finally being freed, Leizhenzi, now seven, was sitting with his master,

, atop Mount South End. Once Leizhenzi was told to assist his father, but first grab a hold of his weapon - which was by the cliff's edge - Leizhenzi looked everywhere in wonder. Soon enough, Leizhenzi found two large apricots at the edge of the cliff and ate them both with due haste. Immediately following this, to his surprise, two large wings suddenly sprouted from Leizhenzi's back and his face became like that of a monster's. Once Leizhenzi returned to his father, he received a golden rod as his weapon and was instructed to finally assist his father. Thus, once Leizhenzi met his father atop a mountain slope, he first dealt with General Lei and Yin by creating a rockslide with his golden rod. While hanging onto Leizhenzi's back, Leizhenzi then transported his father through the five mountain passes. With these words, Leizhenzi departed from his father: "My father, you are now safe. Now I must say good-bye and return to Mount South End. Please take care of yourself. I will see you again someday." Another version of the legend states that he was believed to be the son of

Dianmu Dianmu (), also known as Leizi, is the Chinese goddess of lightning, who is said to have used flashing mirrors to send bolts of lightning across the sky. She is married to Leigong, the god of thunder. She is one of the gods who work together to ...

and

Leigong Leigong () or Leishen (), is the god of thunder in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology and Taoism. In Taoism, when so ordered by heaven, Leigong punishes both earthly mortals guilty of secret crimes and evil spirits who have used their kno ...

. He was born from an egg that Lei Gong shattered open using one of his thunderbolts. He closely resembled his father, Leigong, having wings and a pointed bird beak. Additionally, he possessed supernatural abilities and could change into a dragon after feasting on apricots.

References

* ''

'' Chapter 21 - 22

Legends

References

See also