Jade Emperor玉皇大帝

Also known as

Jade Emperor, Jade Emperor, High Sovereign of the Vast Heaven, Great Celestial Worthy and Most High Sovereign of the Mysterious Vault, the Jade Emperor

Pantheon

Four Sovereigns

Rank

First of the Four Sovereigns (traditional account)

Realm & symbol

Central administration of Heaven

Relationship to Daoism

Core Daoist pantheon

Festival day

Ninth day of the first lunar month

Overview

The Jade Emperor governs the gods within the Daoist celestial administration. The traditional Four Sovereigns scheme places him below the Three Pure Ones and first among the Four Sovereigns. Imperial titles of the Song and scriptures such as the Scripture of the Original Deeds of the Jade Emperor systematized his divine persona. Popular religion often treats him as the highest god of Heaven; in Daoist theology, however, the Three Pure Ones embody the Dao itself, while the Jade Emperor chiefly administers the celestial order, so the two should not be collapsed into one rank.

Functions

• Supreme administration of the celestial order
• Sovereignty over the deities
• Order of the Three Realms

Scriptural basis