Princess Longji

Princess Longji (龙吉公主) is a character in the classic Chinese novel, Fengshen Yanyi.^[1] She is the daughter of the Emperor of Heaven, Haotian Shangdi (identified with the Jade Emperor), and his wife, Yaochi Jinmu (identified with the Queen Mother of the West).^[2] Her magical prowess was formidable, especially in water-based spells, which made her one of the most capable warriors in the Zhou army. She boasted a series of victories, including defeating notable figures like Luo Xuan, injuring Kong Xuan, and capturing Hong Jin. She had the magic weapons Wulu Universe Net (雾露乾坤网), the Four Sea Bottle (四海瓶), the Universe Needle (乾坤针), and the Dragon Binding Rope (捆龙索); the sword weapons are the Two Dragon Sword (二龙剑), Luan Flying Sword (鸾飞剑), and the Yaochi White Light Sword (瑶池白光剑). Erlang Shen is her cousin since he is the Jade Emperor’s nephew.

Legend

In Fengshen Yanyi, Princess Longji is depicted as a celestial princess who was a skilled swordswoman with the ability to control water and rain. During her stay in the celestial temple, she faced demotion to mortal status and was subsequently exiled to Earth as punishment for her failure to obtain the Peaches of Immortality before the Peach Festival. While on Earth, she became embroiled in the conflict between the Shang and Zhou armies. Initially, she aided Yang Jian in defeating Earth Traveler Sun and later thwarted Fire God Luo Xuan, who had nearly burned down most of West Qi. She holds hope that one day, her immortal status will be reinstated, allowing her to return to the Heavenly Court.Upon learning of her remarkable achievements, Jiang Ziya welcomed Princess Longji into his army and granted her a residence in West Qi.

Princess Longji married the captured Shang general, Hong Jin, with the intention of converting him into an ally for the Zhou army. Together, they participated in numerous battles against the Shang dynasty, but tragically, both met their demise at the hands of the Jinling Shengmu. She was appointed as the Lord of the Red Phoenix Star (红鸾星) and Hong Luanxing (紅鸞星) in the end.^[1]^[3]^[4] Three figures on the list of gods, Princess Longji, Ao Bing, and Li Gen, already belong to the Heavenly Court. It is unusual for only a few immortals to be included on the list of gods.^[5]^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Chen, Fan Pen Li. Chinese Shadow Theatre: History, Popular Religion, and Women Warriors. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-7599-8.
^ 中国古典小说普及文库：封神演义 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. ISBN 978-7-80761-938-3.
^ 西周英雄傳奇: 封神榜 (in Chinese). 時報出版事業有限公司.
^ 傳世藏書: 西游记, 封神演义, 平妖传, 绿野仙踪 (in Chinese). 海南国际新闻出版中心.
^ "李艮本是巡海夜叉，为何被封"大祸星"！他带来什么"大祸"了？_哪吒_天庭_敖丙". 搜狐 (in Chinese). 16 August 2022.
^ "封神酱油党：露一面就战死，却进了封神榜，与玉帝的女儿共事". Sina (in Chinese). 27 December 2018.

[a-1] Chen, Fan Pen Li. Chinese Shadow Theatre: History, Popular Religion, and Women Warriors. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-7599-8.

[2] 中国古典小说普及文库：封神演义 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. ISBN 978-7-80761-938-3.

[3] 西周英雄傳奇: 封神榜 (in Chinese). 時報出版事業有限公司.

[4] 傳世藏書: 西游记, 封神演义, 平妖传, 绿野仙踪 (in Chinese). 海南国际新闻出版中心.

[5] "李艮本是巡海夜叉，为何被封"大祸星"！他带来什么"大祸"了？_哪吒_天庭_敖丙". 搜狐 (in Chinese). 16 August 2022.

[6] "封神酱油党：露一面就战死，却进了封神榜，与玉帝的女儿共事". Sina (in Chinese). 27 December 2018.

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