The Jade Emperor
One of the most important and popular figures in Chinese mythology, the Jade Emperor (玉皇) is the supreme ruler of Heaven and the first emperor of China. He is also considered to be an especially important Taoist deity. With all of its specialized roles and social hierarchies, the Jade Emperor’s court parallels the structure of ancient Chinese monarchies. The emperor’s fairness, benevolence, and mercy were traits that real Chinese emperors sought to emulate.
