Tennin
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Tennin (
They originated in Hinduism as "Apsara" (Sanskrit: अप्सरा, romanized: apsaras or apsarā); a member of a class of celestial beings in Hindu and Buddhist culture. They are originally a type of female spirit of the clouds and waters, who later plays the role of a "nymph" or "fairy". They figure prominently in the sculpture, dance, literature and painting of many Indian and Southeast Asian cultures. See also Devi, Deva (Hinduism) (a divine being or god in Hinduism), Deva (Buddhism) (a higher being in Buddhism) and Deva (Jainism) (a term used for heavenly beings in Jainism).
In China, Apsara are known as "Tiānshǐ" (
In Japan, Apsara are known as "Tenshi" (
History
[edit]Tennin are mentioned in Buddhist sutras,[citation needed] and these descriptions form the basis for depictions of the beings in Japanese art, sculpture, and theater. They are usually pictured as unnaturally beautiful women dressed in ornate, colourful kimono (traditionally in five colours), exquisite jewelry, and stole-like, feathered, flowing scarves--called both Chányī/Tenne (
Religion
[edit]Tennin are believed to live in the Buddhist heaven as the companions to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Some legends[citation needed] also make certain tennin solitary creatures living on mountain peaks. Pilgrims sometimes climb these mountains in order to meet the holy spirits.
Powers
[edit]Tennin can fly, a fact generally indicated in art by their coloured or feathered kimono, called both Tenne (
See also
[edit]- Apsara
- Ceres, Celestial Legend
- Divine being
- InuYasha Movie 2: Castle Beyond the Looking Glass
- List of angels in theology
- Nymph
- Selkie (seal maidens)
- Swan maiden
- Valkyries
- Feather cloak
References
[edit]- ^ a b Tennin at GODS of Japan, A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhism (Buddhist & Shinto Deities)
- ^ Hearn, Lafcadio, Glimpses of an Unfamiliar Japan at Project Gutenberg online book catalog
- ^ a b Waley, Arthur (1921), The Noh Plays of Japan, Chapter V, p. 177, "A Note on Hagoromo"
- ^ The Legend of Connor O'Quin and the Swan Maiden at Folklore of the Burren