Leigong

Leigong (Chinese: 雷公; pinyin: léigōng; Wade–Giles: lei² kung¹; lit.: 'Lord of Thunder') or Leishen (Chinese: 雷神; pinyin: léishén; lit.: 'God of Thunder'), is a deity in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology and Taoism. In Taoism, when so ordered by heaven, Leigong punishes both earthly mortals guilty of secret crimes and evil spirits who have used their knowledge of Taoism to harm human beings. He carries a drum and mallet to produce thunder, and a chisel to punish evildoers. Leigong rides a chariot driven by a young boy named A Xiang.

Leigong as depicted in a 1542 painting from the Ming dynasty

Statue of Leigong in Tainan Fengshen Temple ( the temple of Wind-god).

Leigong is depicted as a fearsome creature with claws, bat wings, and a blue face with a bird's beak who wears only a loincloth. Temples dedicated to him are rare, but some people honor him in the hope that he will take revenge on their personal enemies. He used to smile a lot and also wore a friendly face.

Since Leigong's power is thunder, he has assistants capable of producing other types of heavenly phenomena. Dianmu (電母) ("Mother of Lightning"), also known as Leizi, is Leigong's wife and the Goddess of Lightning, who is said to have used flashing mirrors to send bolts of lightning across the sky.[1] Other companions are Yun Tong ("Cloud Youth"), who whips up clouds, and Yu Shi ("Rain Master") who causes downpours by dipping his sword into a pot. Roaring winds rush forth from a type of goatskin bag manipulated by Fengbo ("Earl of Wind"), who was later transformed into Feng Po Po ("Lady Wind").

Lei Gong began life as a mortal. While on earth, he encountered a peach tree that originated from Heaven during the struggle between the Fox Demon and one of the Celestial Warriors. When Leigong took a bite out of one of its fruit he was transformed into his godly form. He soon received a mace and a hammer that could create thunder.