Ông Trời (lit. ’old man sky/heaven’), commonly referred to as Trời (“sky, heaven”lit. ’sky, heaven’), is one of the most important gods in traditional Vietnamese folk religion. Later, due to the influence of Taoism, he was merged and identified with the Jade Emperor, so he was called the Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế, often referred to as Ngọc Hoàng or Thượng Đế.[1][2][3][4]
Names
Ông Trời is referred to by many names depending on the religious circumstances. In South Vietnam, he is often called Ông Thiên (翁天). In Đạo Mẫu, he is called the Vua Cha Ngọc Hoàng (𢂜吒玉皇, Monarchical Father Ngọc Hoàng), as he is the father of Liễu Hạnh. In Vietnamese Buddhism, he is frequently identified with Śakra (Đế Thích Thiên; 帝釋天).
Later, under the influence of Chinese Taoism, he was also identified with the Jade Emperor, commonly referred to as Ngọc Hoàng (玉皇) — a shortened form of Ngọc Hoàng Thượng Đế (玉皇上帝) or Ngọc Hoàng Đại Đế (玉皇大帝).
Mythology
Ông Trời was originally a Vietnamese god,[1] but due to later influence by Taoism from China, this god was identified and linked with the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng).
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