Who is Vulcan?

Vulcan is one of the gods in folk beliefs, and also the legendary fire-fighting god of Han nationality. The most famous Vulcan in Han folk beliefs and legends is Zhu Rong. All ethnic groups in China have the custom of offering sacrifices to Vulcan. Because of different regions and different historical cultures, they have different understandings and interpretations of Vulcan.

The image and origin of the legendary Vulcan vary greatly from place to place, and there are many differences in related beliefs and folk customs. Even on the key question of why Vulcan worship came into being, experts have different opinions and there is no unified statement. The worship of Vulcan by Han people varies from school to school. In terms of image and origin, Zhu Rong is generally regarded as Vulcan. It is said that he is a descendant of Zhuan Xu, whose real name is Chong Li, also known as Ng Wui.

Modern viewpoint

Similar to the folk custom in China, modern scholars have different views on the origin and development of traditional Vulcan worship. Some people think that in some areas, the burning flame or fire pit is regarded as the incarnation or symbol of Vulcan, and together with related ceremonies, sacrifices and taboos, it is the original form of Vulcan worship. The concept connotation contained in it reflects people's dual understanding of the role of fire, thus more maintaining the original style of human worship of natural forces in ancient times.

As for Vulcan, such as Yan Di, Sui Man and Zhu Rong, they are personalized Vulcan created after the Warring States Period. Others, such as the true fire king and the old fire mother, are all based on the myths of later generations.