China: Carving of the thunder god Leizhenzi, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Leizhenzi, also known as Thunderbolt, was a character from the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. A celestial being and thunder god, Leizhenzi was created by a great thunderstorm that hit Mount Swallow. While travelling through Mount Swallow, Ji Chang (King Wen of Zhou) came upon a small newborn baby, and took the baby in as his own. However, the immortal Yunzhongzi would soon take the newborn away as his disciple, knowing that Leizhenzi was destined to assist in the formation of the Zhou Dynasty.

After seven years, when Ji Chang was fleeing for his life from the capital city of the Shang Dynasty after being freed, the seven-year-old Leizhenzi was ordered by his master to go aid his father, but first had to take hold of his weapon, a golden rod, from the cliff's edge. Eating two large apricots he found near the cliff edge, he suddenly grew two great wings from his back, and his face became birdlike and monstrous. He then armed himself and went to aid his father.

He rescued his father, returning him to Phoenix City, the capital of Ji Province. He parted ways with his father after that, promising to return someday to aid him, which he would after Ji Chang's death and the rise of Leizhenzi's brother, Ken Wu of Zhou. He would fight alongside his brother against the Shang army, helping to bring down the Shang Dynasty. Leiznhenzi is possibly an analogue and derivative of Lei Gong, who is also a Chinese thunder god with a birdlike appearance.

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Anandajoti

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