Cangjie

• Cangjie is is credited with the invention of Chinese characters.
•  Cangjie created Chinese characters by observing nature such as constellations, footprints, signs on turtle shells, bird’s feathers, mountains and rivers, and the fingers and palms of people.     
• The invention of writing was such an important event it was said that millet fell from heaven and ghosts could be heard crying through the night.

Significance Today 

• Shaanxi province is the most involved with honoring Cangjie and they refer to him as “The saint Cang”, due to local legends of him being born there and creating writing there. 
• There are also several customs held in Shaanxi province relating to Cangjie such as paper with words is not allowed to be thrown away, pillows being embroidered with Chinese characters, and students will go to Cangjie Temple and touch the stone tablet there believing it will make their handwriting good.  
• During the Song dynasty Cangjie was worshiped as the ancestor who founded the work of the Xu Li people who referred to him as King Cang. The Xu Li handled documents and paperwork for the government. To celebrate and honor Cangjie, the Xu Li would put money together and hold a festival in the capital. Today there is still similar worship and festivals in areas such as Shangdon, Henan, Hebei, and Shaanxi.