Lord of Mount Tai (Taishan Fujun)

Taishan Fujun stands at the heart of early Chinese beliefs concerning the lordship of the underworld. Ancient people believed that upon death, the soul journeyed to Mount Tai—the sacred threshold between yin and yang—and thus appointed Taishan Fujun as the celestial registrar of life and death. Han and Wei dynasty yuefu poetry and zhiguai (tales of the strange) frequently recount his administration of the dead, assisted by subordinate officials such as secretaries and record-keepers. Over time, many of his functions were absorbed by Dongyue Dadi (the Great Deity of the Eastern Peak) and the Yama cult, yet folk tradition continues to revere him specifically for bestowing longevity and recording lifespans. Devotees offer incense at the Dai Temple on his birthday—the 28th day of the 3rd lunar month—to pray for recovery from illness and for extended life.