Hantzu

Hantzu is a polytheistic, patriarchal religion that focuses on harmony with nature. It is the predominant religion in Zhenhai and its ideals and tenets are deeply linked to the emperor's rule and government. The ruling deity is the goddess Chenguang, also known as the Healer or the Mender. Other prominent deities include the God of Autumn, the Goddess of the Mountains, Darkness, and Love, the Goddess of Music, the God of Daydreams, the God of Justice, and the Goddess of the Forge.
Hantzu incorporates the same pantheon as Bayanism, but has a stricter hierarchy of worship for the gods and goddesses of the pantheon. Hantis tend to be scornful of any other religion, but are particularly so towards Bayanism.

 
 

Beliefs

Origins

Zhenics point to their first emperor as the First Messenger of their goddess and the founder of Hantzu, while the Garalese maintain that Hantzu is a splitoff of Bayanism.
 

Cosmology

Followers of Hantzu believe that the gods grew mortals from plants - a common belief is that a woman's ability to grow and nurture plants reflects her abilities as a future mother. The gods communicate with mortals through signs and demigod messengers. Demons are viewed as malevolent, rebellious offspring of the gods - a corruption of the elements from which they came. Ghosts are viewed either as spirits unable to settle into the peace of the next life or benevolent protectors.
 

Worship

Worship tends to be a subdued and lengthy process, often with music. Shrines for quiet, individual prayer are frequent sights throughout the Zhenic empire and holidays are frequent and solemn, taking place on equinoxes, full moons, and anniversaries commemorating immortal cultivator-prophets.
Children come of age at 20 years and go through a ritual cleansing to prepare them for adulthood. Marriage rites feature a complex series of steps that culminate in a 2-3 day banquet. The transition from life to death is assisted with a lengthy eulogy during the funeral service, designed to act as an introduction of that person to postmortal society.  

"If you have the bad sense to die in this war, I'm not giving your eulogy again." - Zhang Xiong to Gao Zhong Hu

 

Clergy

The Hantzu clergy were classically ordained from among the ranks of the imperial family and nobility. The emperor would often assign families to different parts of the empire to make ecclesiastical authority figures more accessible to the public. A cultivator from any sect, however, was allowed and even expected to step in and handle mishaps with spirits and demons. A few sects were granted greater religious authority from the emperor and wielded great power.
  After the Ascencion, religious power was decentralized; more sects were granted religious authority and even non-cultivator government officials were ordained to positions of great influence within the church. Emperor Zou's coup was backed by many because of his promises concerning distribution of religious power and authority.