Li Hong (Taoist eschatology)

For other uses, see Li Hong (disambiguation).

Li Hong (Chinese: 李弘) is a soteriological, messianic figure in religious Daoist prophecies. He is believed to manifest at the end of world cycles to rescue the chosen people, and would be distinguished by certain signs including talismans, practices, and virtues.

Daoist texts

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

Rebellions

Prophecies concerning Li Hong’s appearance have been used to legitimize numerous rebellions and insurgencies, all of which rallied around charismatic individuals claimed to be “Li Hong”. These were particularly prevalent in 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.