Chieh Lin

Chieh Lin

The Old Man of the Moon

ORIGIN:

China

Chinese folklore has a woman in the moon, but there is an old man, too. Chieh Lin is a spirit of romance or at least marriage. He determines marital unions; he decides who will marry whom. He records these decisions in his very large book, then connects the feet of the predestined couple to each other’s with an invisible red silk thread. Ideally, that thread will lead the couple toward each other and happy matrimony. Appeal to Chieh Lin if that thread seems to be all tangled up or nonexistent.

Ritual: During the marriage ceremony, bride and bridegroom pledge their troth from two goblets of honeyed wine tied together with red ribbons or cord.

SEE ALSO:

Chang’O, Lady

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.