Shen (Chinese folk religion)

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Shen (Chinese: 神; pinyin: shén) is a Chinese word with senses of deities, divinities, or spirits. The Ahom equivalent is Sheng (𑜋𑜢𑜤𑜂𑜫) in Ahom religion which was originated in Yunnan also refers to deities. The Japanese equivalent is kami, as in Shintoism. This single Chinese term expresses a range of similar, yet differing, meanings. The first meaning refers to deities which are intimately involved in the affairs of the world, or spirits, such as dead ancestors. Spirits generate entities like rivers, mountains, thunder, and stars. A second meaning of shen refers to the human spirit or psyche that is seen in the body as luster or vigor and in the mind as vitality and enthusiasm; it is the basic power or agency within humans that accounts for life, and in order to further life to its fullest potential, the spirit (Shen) is transformed to actualize potential (精; Jing). A third understanding of shen describes an entity as supernatural in the sense of inspiring awe or wonder because it combines...

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