Adam's FINE ASIAN ART November 18 2024

423 NOTE A similar figure in British Museum collection 1908,0725.2 Zhenwu is know as the perfected warrior, supreme Emperor of the dark heaven, primal Sage and benevolent majesty. According to legend, during a battle between Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang, Zhu was defeat- ed and fled to Wudang Mountain, where he hid in the Zhenwu Temple to escape his pursuers. Remarkably, after Zhu tore through a spider web at the temple’s entrance, the web miraculous- ly reformed as if untouched, helping him evade capture and ensuring his safe escape. Grateful for this divine intervention, after ascending to the throne, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately ordered the reconstruction of the temple, the restoration of the deity’s statue, and bestowed upon it the plaque inscribed “Northern Pole Hall” (Beiji Dian). He honored the deity Zhenwu by elevating him to Xuantian Shangdi, the Emperor of the Profound Heaven. From then on, all Ming emperors re- garded Xuantian Shangdi as the protector of the nation, while in popular belief, he was revered as the Northern Pole Emperor of the Profound Heaven. Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor, was a devout follower of Zhenwu and credited his success in the Jingnan Campaign to Zhenwu’s divine protection. Zhu Di even proclaimed himself to be an incar- nation of Zhenwu. In his imperial workshops, offices, factories, andwarehouses, Zhenwu Temples were established, with statues of Zhenwu Dadi, who was honored as the “God of National Stabili- zation.” That’s why his figure is very popular in Ming dynasty.