Great Heavenly Emperor of the Curved Array勾陈上宫天皇大帝

Also known as

Great Emperor of Curved Array, Great Celestial Sovereign (Tianhuang Dadi)

Pantheon

Four Sovereigns

Rank

One of the Four Sovereigns

Realm & symbol

Celestial Palace of the Curved Array

Relationship to Daoism

Core Daoist pantheon

Overview

The Great Heavenly Emperor of the Curved Array is one of the Four Sovereigns; his title derives from the Gouchen asterism in the traditional Purple Tenuity Enclosure. Daoist pantheons assign him authority over the northern and southern poles, the triad of Heaven, Earth and humanity, the stars and warfare. Although both Gouchen and the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity belong to the stellar pantheon, their ritual titles, celestial symbols and functions remain distinct and should not be conflated because both relate to the northern sky.

Functions

• Northern and southern celestial poles
• Three Powers of Heaven, Earth and humanity
• Sovereignty over the stars
• Warfare in the human realm

Iconography

Usually portrayed as an enthroned emperor in ceremonial crown and robes, with imagery linked to the Gouchen asterism and the celestial pivot.

Scriptural basis