#meishans

[lavaflowe]

“Great Sage Equal to Heaven gets his ass beat by beloved Howling Celestial Dog”

[otgo-brooklyn]

Lets Be Friends!

[quitealotofsodapop]

Do you know if there's any initiation process for people to become sworn siblings?

Or do they just say, "You're my sworn sibling now." to each other?

I think it is comparable to the historical practice of "blood brothers" in which close companions would symbolically "mix blood" by pressing opened wounds against one another or drinking one another's blood. In some cultures with a more "eww. blood" attitude, a sacrifice was made in each other's honour to seal the deal instead.

In folklore; the only reason the gods in the Norse pantheon don't get rid of Loki despite their mischief, is because Loki and Odin are blood brothers.

Noted examples in East Asia mainly come from Mongolian and tribal Chinese accounts - in which it was common practice amongst dear friends and their children. One famous example is Temüjin aka Genghis Khan and his childhood friend Jamukha - the latter's betrayal and attempted usurping considered one of the Khan's greatest emotional losses.

For particularly Chinese sources I found this article about traditional Chinese Kinship, though most of the sources come from Taiwan.

The standard ritual was for each sworn sibling to add their names and dates to a contract and ritualistically burn it - as to add it to the infernal and celestial archives. "Can't return me without the receipt" - at it's finest.

Another familiar practice was for each sibling in the pact to add their blood to wine, and pass it around to drink.

It's a bit flexible depending on the individuals. Whether for personal or political reasons. But the "ideal" scenario is people who are so close, that they feel that they might as well by legally recognised as siblings. Sworn brethren could, for example, contribute to the dowry of a sworn sibling's daughter, preform mourning rituals for the others bio family, or becoming legal guardians of your sworn-sibling's kid in case of their death.

Or in the case of Confucian-era China outlawing homosexuality, it was a clever way to facilitate a same-sex marriage. Can't fault two guys for living together and raising their kids when it's a legally recognised practice! A bunch of friends could come together and make a brotherhood pact as a way to cheekily help others in the group be married in spirit when the state wouldn't recognise it.

Some folks even did it so that members in their bio family who were interested in eachother could have "a reason" to be interacting. Imperial gender norms be wildin' so hard that you can't talk to your crush without your dads being legally best bros.

This is why in chinese slang; "sworn brothers" is used as slang for "gay relationship". Aka "oh my god, they were roommates."-vine.

In JTTW: Sun Wukong and the Brotherhood/Seven Sages declare themselves sworn kin at the same time Wukong elects his Marshals and Generals. In this case, they are all close friends who officiate their sworn kinship through partying hard, and making sacrifices to both Heaven and Hell. They even have separate days out together.

(Source: Anthony C Yu translation)

Who knows, maybe a wedding was thrown in the mix? With all the drinking I wouldn't be shocked if there was some confusion with the ritual contract! XD

Wukong, re-reading the contract years later: "HA! Flood Dragon and Tamarin put themselves down as the other kind of sworn brother! Wonder if they even noticed that?" Bull King, there to check: "I doubt it. I'm just glad I'm not legally married to anyone. Don't want any loose ends before me and Iron Fan get hitched."

Erlang and the Six Lads of Plum Hill/Meishan Brothers are all sworn brothers too - in a more frat-boy/brothers-in-arms sense. They've all likely know each other for decades, and legit see each other equal to siblings. Notably, Erlang shares the bounty he received from capturing Sun Wukong fairly across his brothers (and presumably the remaining odd bit for the dog). Four of the brothers are Marshals while Two are Generals, giving more credence to the headcanon of Wukong's Stalwarts being his sworn family as well. In an odd bit of hilarity amongst the tense fight of Flower Fruit Mountain, the bros even rib Erlang for thinking too hard about Wukong.

Erlang, trying to be cool and edgy: "What a foul being to dare call himself equal to heaven. I ought to-" Plum Hill Lad: "Aww! Elder Bro has a crush!" Erlang, flustered: "I DO NOT!!" Plum Hill Lads, all cracking up and making kissy faces: "Then why are you thinking about him so much?" "Major sus bro!" "If you wanna fight him so much why don't you just marry him?" (*Invasion is paused as all six Plum Hill lads start rough-housing with their elder bro. Many head-noogies are inflicted.*) Wukong, on the ground: "You know what those guys are talking about Macaque?" Macaque, teasing: "Why, are you interested in him or something?" Wukong, blushing like a schoolgirl: "Oh my gawds! Stahp!"

Curiously, Wukong describes himself and Erlang as "sworn brothers" later in the book; suggesting that they had a close relationship at some point. One of my fave pieces of art (can't find it rn) is Erlang asking Wukong to be his "sworn brother", and Wukong assumes he means "spouse" and gets confused when Erlang mentions having six more. XD

A "lesser" case would be; The Tang Emperor declaring Xuanzang/Tripitaka his oath/sworn brother because the monk is doing him a solid. The Emperor shows his immense gratitude, and Tripitaka gains some political clout that he can throw around if he needs to (the Empress of the Kingdom of Women even sees this as a marriage bonus). Tripitaka def doesn't do the "blood" or sacrificial part of what these rituals imply, as per his Buddhist upbringing, but it's still seen as a binding oath. Rather, they bow to one another and declare their status are sworn bros before an image of the Buddha in the monastery.

In Tripitaka's case, it's more of Emperor Taizong being like; "Look, this pilgrimage is so important to me that I'm gonna legally and spirtually count you as my little brother so that you understand how much I trust you." Meanwhile the monk is like; "What?Thats a bit much don't you think?"

Later on, the promise of becoming one's sworn brother is passed between characters akin to "If you pull this off for me, I would straight up be your best bro."

And ofc the Pilgrims consider eachother sworn kin/brothers at the end of the story, even if they didn't do a ritual to seal it.

So yeah in summary:

Rituals can be performed but are not 100% required. Even a mutual declaration before an idol/holy image is enough. Whilst the Brotherhood of Sages celebrate their new pact through booze and partying and blood sacrifices - Tripitaka and the Tang Emperor just declared it while in a monastery.

People did it for money and political reasons too.

They also did it cus "It ain't gay if it's brotherhood."

Sworn kinship can be forged overtime.

The celestial and infernal archives have the reciepts.

Btw you can do a "sworn divorce" if you and your bro have a falling out.

Whilst the practice isn't really a thing in modern China, I imagine it's still common amongst yaoguai and/or celestials.

[carrot-felisidad]

Has this poll been done before?

[jcs-singular-slut-strand]

Good for her

[relmint-draws]

LISTEN--I just find the concept of Erlang getting an unspoken crush on Wukong after their death battle SO FUNNY

[mdzs-fanon-exposed]

MDZS Fanon VS Canon: 4/?

Zidian is a weapon from the Yu Clan of Meishan

Rating: FANON – SUPPORTED

Because Madam Yu and her handmaids (and later, Jiang Cheng) are the only characters to use electric whips in Mo Dao Zu Shi, there is speculation that this type of whip is a traditional weapon of the Yu Clan of Meishan. Unfortunately, there is no mention of Zidian's origins in the novels.

However, it is not unlikely that the whips are exclusive to MeishanYu. The only other characters to carry lightning whips are Madam Yu's handmaids, who grew up alongside her, indicating that while Zidian is not the only one of its kind, it is not an oft-used weapon in the rest of the jianghu:

Jinzhu and Yinzhu each drew long whips sizzling with electricity and began to engage him in combat. The handmaids had been very close to Madam Yu ever since they were young, and trained under the same teacher, so their combined attacks were a force to be reckoned with. (Seven Seas Ch. 12)

Some clans are shown to have specialties – for example, the Lan Clan's musical cultivation and the Su Clan's knockoff – so the idea that the Yu Clan specializes in the use of electric whips isn't too farfetched. Another possibility is that electric whips are a specialty of the teacher Madam Yu and her handmaids trained under, who may or may not have been affiliated with the clan.

In conclusion, while electric whips are not canonically from MeishanYu, it is the simplest explanation, considering their relative exclusivity and the origins of their wielders. Therefore, it remains a likely possibility that Zidian is either a traditional weapon of or an heirloom from the Yu Clan of Meishan.

[mxtxfanatic]

Do you think Jiang Cheng even thought about his sister at all when he gave up on living after his core was melted?

Jiang Cheng didn’t even think of his own family when their dead bodies were splayed out in front of him:

With much fervor, Jiang Cheng was still searching with his eyes for the figures of Yu ZiYuan and Jiang FengMian. Wei WuXian, however, felt his eyes tear up at once. Among the people, he saw many familiar silhouettes.

—Chapt. 59: Poisons, exr

…and you think I’d believe he had a sparing thought for his sister in out-of-sight-out-of-mind Meishan? Lol. Lmao even.

But seriously, he doesn't think of her or anyone else for that matter because his concern was getting revenge, and if he couldn't get his vengeance, he had nothing to live for:

[Jiang Cheng] did wake up, but he didn’t move at all. He was so uninterested that he didn’t even turn around or ask ‘where is this’. He didn’t drink any water, he didn’t eat any food. It seemed that all he sought for was death. Wei WuXian, “Do you really want to die?” Jiang Cheng, “I can’t seek revenge even when I’m alive. Why shouldn’t I die? Maybe I’ll be able to turn into a ferocious ghost.” Wei WuXian, “You’ve been undergoing soul-calming ceremonies ever since you were young. You won’t be able to turn into a ferocious ghost even after you die.” Jiang Cheng, “If I can’t seek revenge no matter if I’m dead or alive, then what’s the difference between the two?” After he said this, he wouldn’t speak again no matter what.

—Chapt. 60: Poisons, exr

[simplepotatofarmer]

y'all i found people near-ish me that are into livestock conservancy and they have meishan pigs. they have them!! gosh i hope one day i can move out of the city and have a little farm and have a meishan pig, i would be so happy.

[phoenixroost]

Our gilt, of course, decided to go into heat the morning after we bring home the boarling.

He is indignant and demands release from his isolation.

[lady-of-the-spirit]

I like that Meishan Yu has basically no canon info except that it might be a matriarchy and might use whips as primary weapons and yet I've seen several fics and aus that follow the headcanon of them being talented with poisons.

[add1ctedt0you]

Wei Wuxian, searching for Jiang Cheng after Lotus Pier's fall, Chapter 59-Poisons: Part 4

[otgo-brooklyn]

Lychee Lunch

"Ziyuan," "Hm?" ("It's nearly as sweet as you")

[eunuchboy]

📕

[lurkinginnernarrator]

Check out my new fic! The first chapter just dropped and I'd love to share.

Description:

Catharsis

Catharsis: meaning "purification" or "cleansing". It is most commonly used today to refer to the purification and purgation of thoughts and emotions by way of expressing them. The desired result is an emotional state of renewal and restoration.

in other words, Wei Wuxian grows back into the world, one step at a time.

[jcs-singular-slut-strand]

Did Jiang Cheng have Meishan Yu spiders? If so did they just appear at lotus pier one day and he said "yeah lol alr" and that was that or did he have to submit an application? Formal paperwork? This is what is truly important people