Tennin

, which may include , , and the specifically female version, the , are a divine kind of spiritual beings found in Japanese Buddhism, the equivalent of angels. They were seemingly imported from Chinese Buddhism, which was itself influenced by the concepts of heavenly beings found in Indian Buddhism and Chinese Taoism.

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" (天使) and "Tiānrén" (天人); "Tiānnǚ" (天女) for "female Tennin" and "Tennan" (天男) for "male Tiānnán".

In Japan, ''Apsara'' are known as "Tenshi" (天使) and "Tennin" (天人); "Tennyo" (天女) for "female Tennin" and "Tennan" (天男) for "male Tennin".

History

''Tennin'' are mentioned in Buddhist sutras, 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 either topless or dressed in ornate, colourful kimono (traditionally in five colours), exquisite jewelry, and stole-like, feathered, flowing scarves--called both ''Chányī''/''Tenne'' (纏衣, lit. a "Wrapping Raiment" or "Heavenly Raiment") and ''Yǔyī''/''Hagoromo'' (羽衣, lit. 'Feather dRaiment')--that wrap loosely around their bodies (a parallel to the Christian Halo), as-well-as ''Gokō'' (後光, let. 'back roundlight' or ' aureole'; an actual halo)--the '' Húntiānlíng''/''Adaitenayao'' (浑天绫/渾天綾, lit. " Armillary Sash"), worn by Nezha, from Chinese mythology, is also a kind of ''Chányī'' / ''Yǔyī''. They usually carry lotus blossoms as a symbol of enlightenment or play musical instruments such as the biwa, or flute.Tennin
a
GODS of Japan, A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhism (Buddhist & Shinto Deities)
/ref>

Religion

''Tennin'' (Devatās in Buddhist mythology) are believed to live in the Buddhist heaven as the companions to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Devatās, or spirit beings, often have homes in nature, like trees, river bends, or stones. People believe their power can be captured in amulets, such as clothing or jewelry, to bring good luck and well-being. From the start, local Buddhist practices welcomed the worship of these spirits, which helped Buddhism spread throughout Asia.

Powers

''Tennin'' can fly, a fact generally indicated in art by their coloured or feathered kimono, called both ''Tenne'' (纏衣, lit. a "Wrapping Raiment" or "Heavenly Raiment") and ''Hagoromo'' (羽衣, lit. 'Feather dRaiment'). In some legends, ''tennin'' are unable to fly without these kimono (and thus cannot return to heaven).Waley, Arthur (1921)
''The Noh Plays of Japan'', Chapter V
p. 177, "A Note on Hagoromo" More rarely, they are shown with feathered wings.
a
GODS of Japan, A-to-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhism (Buddhist & Shinto Deities)
/ref> In a Noh play '' Hagoromo'', which bears a number of similarities to the Western swan maiden legends,The Legend of Connor O'Quin and the Swan Maiden
a

/ref> ''tennyo'' come to the earth and take off their ''hagoromo''. A fisherman spies them and hides their clothes in order to force one to marry him. After some years he tells his wife what he did, and she finds her clothes and returns to heaven. The legend says it occurred on the beach of Miho no Matsubara, now a part of the city of Shizuoka.

See also

* Apsara
* '' Ceres, Celestial Legend''
* Divine being
* Feather cloak
* '' InuYasha Movie 2: Castle Beyond the Looking Glass''
* List of angels in theology
* Nymph
* Selkie (seal maidens)
* Swan maiden
* Valkyries

References

External links

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{{Swan Maiden

Buddhism in Japan
Buddhism in China
Fairies
Japanese legendary creatures
Chinese legendary creatures
Female legendary creatures
Supernatural legends
Buddhist gods
Swan maidens
Angels