English I Louise S. McGehee School Elise and Paula 2005 (“Fire 10 Photo Page”)

THE LEGEND According to ancient Chinese mythology, when anyone dies, they are judged by Lord Yama King (or Yen Lo Wang) to see whether or not they can be reincarnated immediately. If not, they are sent to one of the courts in Fengdu (or hell) depending on their crimes in life.

Naihe Bridge A person must pass through this bridge in order to enter Feng-du. Passing through this allows them to get their “guide,” which is their entrance permit.

FENG-DU The equivalent of hell, yet it is also seen as a paradise Divided into ten courts for specific punishments Once the punishment was complete, the soul would be reincarnated Supposedly located in the Feng-Du mountains Yen Lo Wang is the ruler of all of Feng-Du, with minor Gods ruling one court each specifically The Feng-Du mountains (“De 75 Mooiste/leukste Foto’s Van de Reis”)

The Ten Courts of Feng-Du The first court is where people are sentenced by Yan Lo Wang to one of the other ten courts depending on what sins they did on earth. The second court is for lying agents and for those who say they are doctors but are not. The third court is for people who lie, who take part in forgery, and who spread untrue rumors. The fourth court is for merchants and shop owners who are dishonest. The fifth court is for murderers and people who did not believe in the Chinese gods. The sixth court is for people who perform sacrilegious deeds. The seventh court is for robbers. The eighth court is for people who did not obey their parents. The ninth court is for slave traders and owners. The tenth court is “The Wheel of Transmigration” or reincarnation. Some people are sent straight to this court if their life on earth was not so sinful.

Yen Lo Wang Also known as: Bao-Yan-Luo, Yan-Luo-Wang, Yanluo-Wang, and Yeng-Wang-Yeh Is always seen as a male Looks very similar to the group of assistants that he rules over (“Yanluo Wang.”)

Yen Lo Wang (cont.) Rules completely over the fifth court of hell (which is for murderers and people who did not believe in Chinese Gods). Also rules over all of Feng-du. He judges which court people go into. He decides what the evildoer’s punishment will be. This is a Chinese symbol for “Devil” (“Leo, Andres.”)

Modern-Day Feng-du Now, every year, millions of people go to the City of Ghosts in Feng-du, China to climb what had once been considered the celestial mountain of Feng-du. All of these people are from all over the world, including America, England, France, Spain, Japan, Germany and Korea. The modern-day City of Feng-du offers to people many things, including a serene atmosphere, while it is serious as well. The Feng-Du mountains (“Shields, Tom.”)

Works Cited “De 75 Mooiste/leukste Foto’s Van de Reis.” Reisverslag Chinareis Wim en Sander Nijdam. 5 January “Fire 10 Photo Page.” Wild Land Fire Wildlandfire.com. 4 January “Gweep.” Gweepnet January Leo, Andres. “Devil.” Formosa Translation Service January Rongmiao, Gao. “Fengdu- ‘City of Ghost’ and China's Ghost Culture.” Yangtze Cruises Yangtze Cruises, Inc. 5 January Saunders, Chas. “Chinese Mythology: Yen-Lo-Wang.” The Gods of Chinese Mythology January Shields, Tom. “Suspension Bridge at the City of Ghosts.” Shields Around the World Tom and Louisa Shields. 7 January “Yang-Weng-Yeh.” The Sword and the Chalice January “Yanluo Wang.” Namen. 3 January