Li Hong (Taoist eschatology)

For other uses, see Li Hong (disambiguation).

Li Hong (Chinese: 李弘) is a soteriological figure in religious Daoist prophecies wherein he appears at the end of the world cycle to rescue the chosen people, who would be distinguished by certain talismans, practices, and virtues.

Daoist texts

Myths surrounding Li Hong took shape in literature during the Han dynasty. He is depicted in the Daoist Divine Incantations Scripture as someone who would reappear to set right heaven (tian) and earth (dì) at a time of upheaval and chaos.

Rebellions

Prophesies concerning Li Hong's appearance have been used to legitimize numerous rebellions and insurgencies, all of which rallied around a Li Hong. These were particularly prevalent during the fifth century, and continued to appear until the Song dynasty.

See also

• Chinese salvationist religions – Chinese religious tradition characterised by a concern for salvation of the person and the society
• House of Li – Chinese royal family
• Li (surname 李) – Chinese surname
• Way of the Li Family – Daoist denomination
• Yellow Turban Rebellion – Peasant revolt against the Eastern Han dynasty

References

Works cited

• Bokenkamp, Stephen (1999). Early Daoist Scriptures. Berkeley: University of California.
• Robinet, Isabelle; Brooks, Phyllis (1997). Taoism: growth of a religion. Stanford University Press.
• Seidel, Anna K. (1969). La Divinisation de Lao Tseu dans le Taoisme des Han (in French). École française d’Extrême-Orient.
• Wang, Eugene Yuejin (2005). Shaping the Lotus Sutra: Buddhist visual culture in medieval China. Seattle: University of Washington.