Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning元始天尊

Also known as

Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning of Jade Clarity, Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, Spontaneous of the Void, of the Sacred Realm of Jade Clarity, Venerable Treasure of the Dao

Pantheon

Three Pure Ones

Rank

First of the Three Pure Ones

Realm & symbol

Heaven of Subtle Clarity in the Realm of Jade Clarity

Relationship to Daoism

Core Daoist pantheon

Overview

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning stands first among the Three Pure Ones. Lingbao scriptures present him as the supreme deity who opens cosmic eras, proclaims scripture and offers universal salvation. Tao Hongjing's Chart of the Ranks of the Perfected placed him at the centre of the first divine rank; from the Tang and Song onward, he formed the central triad of Daoist sanctuaries together with the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure and the Celestial Worthy of the Dao and Its Virtue.

Functions

• Opening cosmic cycles and delivering beings
• Transmitting scriptures and teachings
• Source of the Dao

Iconography

He normally occupies the central position in a Hall of the Three Pure Ones and is often shown holding the pearl of primordial unity.

Scriptural basis