There are many legends about Chishan Mingshen. It is said that Chishan Mingshen is the incarnation of Chishan, the clone of Daming God, and Daming God is the sun god most worshiped by ancient Chinese ancestors. The main god worshiped in the ceremony.
Chishan Mingshen has boundless power to control the mountains and protect the sea. He can bless the world with good weather and make the people live and work in peace and contentment. His magical powers and merits are deeply believed in and worshiped. In particular, the local people in Shidao used to make a living by fishing and regarded Chishan Myojin as the protector of the sea. This belief continues to this day. Mingshen is also regarded as the god of longevity, wealth and peace. There are also allusions to this statement, for example:
In 219 BC, Qin Shihuang patrolled the mountains eastward in search of the elixir of immortality. After a serious illness that had not been cured for a long time, his prime minister, Li Si, flew to Chishan to pay homage to Chishan Mingshen, and asked for nine pinches of earth in front of the Hongmen Cave where Mingshen lived to use as medicine, which saved the First Emperor's life and extended his life. Since then, people have regarded Chishan Mingshen as the god of longevity.
During the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Baogao, a native of Silla (Korea), entered the Tang Dynasty and joined the army. Later, he abandoned the army and became a businessman. He came here to engage in maritime trade. With the blessing of Chishan Myingshen, he became extremely wealthy and was regarded as a wealthy country. Known as the "King of Maritime Trade". Therefore, Chishan Mingshen is also regarded as the God of Wealth.
During his time in the Tang Dynasty to seek Dharma, the eminent Japanese monk Ennin came to Chishan three times and also paid homage to Chishan Myojin. On his way back home after successfully seeking Dharma, he encountered storms at sea. In times of crisis, Chishan Myojin appeared and cast spells. , the storm calmed down, and Master Yuanren and his party were able to return home safely. Therefore, Chishan Myojin is also regarded as the god of peace and protection. In 888 AD, Anhui, Ennin's disciple, built the Chishan Zen Monastery in Kyoto, Japan, to worship Chishan Myojin, and regarded Chishan Myojin as the patron saint of the Tendai Sect of Japanese Buddhism.
It can be seen that Chishan Myojin has been widely believed by the people of China, Japan and South Korea since ancient times, and is known as the god of longevity, wealth and peace. It is said among the people that "bathing in the light of the Ming Dynasty will bring you wealth, happiness and health".