Brief Introduction on The Maiden Immortal of the Incense Urn (金爐聖姑簡介)

In here, I will do a brief introduction on the background of The Maiden Immortal of the Incense Urn, in Chinese known as Jin Lu Sheng Gu (金爐聖姑) or Jin Lu Yuan Jun (金爐元君). 

Jin Lu Sheng Gu, was first recorded/appeared in the Spring Autumn Warring State Era (春秋戰國時期) records/texts.  

So what’s her primary task? 

Back in the Spring Autumn Warring State Era, she was one of the few Deities to look after the Burning Urn that used to melt Metals for making of weapons (燽鐵爐台) & also, big Wok that used to “cook” little boys & girls, for the honouring of certain “Deities or Spiritual Beings”. 

After then, the culture of Offering of living Boys & Girls had ceased and so, her primary task was being “re-appointed” to look after the Incense Urn that we had in Temples or Homes. 

Besides maintaining the “Order” of the Urns at home, Jin Lu Sheng Gu would also looked into the “Cleanliness” of the Urn; eg Negative Energies invading the Urn, etc, and also, to direct the Messages of the Devotees to the Recording Officers (四值功曹) in the Celestial Realm for the reporting to Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊). 

So people still honour her now? 

It’s quite impossible to see Taoists or Chinese honoured her in today’s Taoist Society. But in China Beijing Museum, we are still able to see records/painting & plaques dedicated to Jin Lu Sheng Gu.