This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
Wenchang Wang (Chinese: 文昌王; pinyin: Wénchāng Wáng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bûn-chhiong Ông), also known as Wenchang Dijun (Chinese: 文昌帝君; pinyin: Wénchāng Dìjūn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bûn-chhiong Tè-kun), is a Taoist deity in Chinese mythology, known as the God of Culture and Literature.[1] He is also at times referred to simply as Wen Qu, or Wen. The literal translation of his name would be King (王) of Flourishing (昌) Culture/Language (文). Wenchang Wang is physically represented by a constellation of six stars near the Big Dipper. The stars all had names of their own: Shangjiang (上將), Cijiang (次將), Guixiang (貴相), Siming (司命), Sizhong (司中), and Silu (司祿). Wenchang Wang is often depicted as an elderly scholar accompanied by two attendants, Tianlong (天聾 or Heaven-Deaf) and Diya (地啞 or Earth-Mute).[2] He sometimes holds a pen and a book that says "Heaven determines literary achievement".[3] He has historically been called upon by scholars and writers who need inspiration or help right before an exam.[citation needed]