Rabbit F*ggot aka Tu'Er Shen: The God of Gay in Imperial China
Oct 19, 2023
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The podcast featuring Rabbit F*ggot aka Tu'Er Shen, The God of Gay in Imperial China explores queer love stories in Chinese literature, the origins and cultural significance of the Rabbit God, changing attitudes towards queer people in China and the US, and the importance of straight allies in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
The cult of Tu Ar Shen, the rabbit god, survived persecution in ancient China and has experienced a revival in Taiwan, reflecting changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.
The acceptance of same-sex relationships in ancient China, the influence of European moral codes, and the suppression and revival of the Tu Ar Shen cult demonstrate the complex relationship between LGBTQ+ individuals and traditional cultural practices in China.
Deep dives
The Cult of Tu Ar Shen: A Revival of Worship
The gay cult of Tu Ar Shen, the rabbit god, had been forced underground in the 19th century due to anti-corruption campaigns. However, in 2005, a gay daoist priest named Lu Weiming opened a shrine in Taiwan for gay believers to worship Tu Ar Shen. The shrine attracts around 9,000 pilgrims each year, seeking blessings for love and the fulfillment of desires. Lu Weiming also performs gay love ceremonies, offering a space for queer Chinese people to celebrate their love and find comfort in the deity. The revived worship of Tu Ar Shen demonstrates the changing attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in Taiwan and the growing acceptance of same-sex relationships.
The Historical Context and Persecution of the Cult
The cult of Tu Ar Shen was targeted in the 18th century by imperial official Zhugui, who passed legislation to prohibit licentious cults, including the worship of the rabbit god. Despite persecution, the cult survived and even migrated to Taiwan. The cult's history reflects the acceptance of male homosexual relationships in ancient China, as well as the influence of European moral codes and subsequent societal shifts. The suppression and revival of the cult highlight the complex relationship between LGBTQ+ individuals and traditional cultural practices in China.
The Story of Hu Tian Bao and the Rabbit God's Origins
According to a folktale recorded by scholar Yuan Mei in the 18th century, Hu Tian Bao fell in love with an official who arrived in his town. Hu was eventually beaten to death for his forbidden love. However, in the afterlife, he appeared as a rabbit god, Tu Ar Shen. In modern times, a queer director named Andrew Huang made a short film called 'Kiss of the Rabbit God' that explores Tu Ar Shen's mythology. The revived interest in the cult and the symbolism behind the rabbit god's story demonstrate the resilience and continued relevance of LGBTQ+ narratives in Chinese culture.
Changing Attitudes and LGBTQ+ Support in Modern China
Recent surveys show that 67% of Chinese people support gay marriage, exceeding the support in the US. Taiwan, in particular, has a more progressive track record when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, with a shrine dedicated to Tu Ar Shen attracting numerous pilgrims each year. It is important to note that while progress has been made, LGBTQ+ individuals in China still face challenges, as seen in societal attitudes and conservative influences. The growing acceptance of same-sex relationships and the existence of queer-centric spaces, confers a sense of hope and belonging to LGBTQ+ individuals in China.
China has loved the "passion of the cut sleeve" - an ancient euphemism for dude-on-dude dicking - since the literal Han Dynasty (the era not the restaurant). Beautiful stories abound in Chinese literature and history of queer love, from doting emperors to divine influencers in the spirit world. We are of course primarily concerned with the latter. Tu'Er Shen, or "Rabbit God," got his start as a lowly bureaucrat in 18th century China, but now he presides over all our gay relationships, thanks to his connections in the Afterlife. You will want him on your team, so tune in to this week's episode and learn how to please capital H-I-M. We'll also cover gay marriage in 17th century China because frankly we're the only journalists prepared to do so.