Chinese History and the Avatar World: The White Lotus
A slight twist on my usual “Chinese History and…” series.
The Order of the White Lotus is likely inspired by the China’s real-life White Lotus Society.
The White Lotus Society (白蓮敎) originated as a hybrid religion of Buddhism and Manichaeism that centered on the worship of the goddess Wusheng Laomu (無生老母), also called Wujimu (無極母). However, what the White Lotus is most remembered for was its tendency to constantly foment revolutions, uprisings, and all other forms of dynasty-shaking upheaval throughout Chinese history. Examples of the White Lotus’ many rebellions:
White Lotus monk Peng Yingyu organized rebellions in the 1330s to protest the Mongol’s rule over China (the Yuan Dynasty).
White Lotus monk Zhu Yuanzhang leads another revolutionary army against Mongol rule in 1352. He wins over the Chinese masses by forbidding his soldiers from pillaging in observance of White Lotus religious beliefs. By 1355, the rebellion spreads throughout much of China. By 1387, the White Lotus finally liberates China from Mongol-rule.
In 1774, White Lotus herbalist and martial artist Wang Jun leads an uprising that captures three small cities and lays siege to the larger city of Linqing. After initial success, he was outnumbered and defeated by Qing troops.
In 1794, the White Lotus leads another rebellion in central China to protest unfair taxes. In 1804, the Qing dynasty finally puts an end to the revolution after 10 years of warfare and suppression.
In 1812, White Lotus leader Lin Qing declares that he is the reincarnation of Gautama Buddha and is destined to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. In 1813, he leads an attack on the Forbidden City that comes to be known as the Eight Trigrams Uprising of 1813. By the time the government suppressed the revolt, more than 20,000 Eight Trigrams members had been killed. It is estimated that 70,000 were killed in total during the period of disorder.
When you consider that the final episodes of Avatar involve a secret society of spiritual old men driving out a foreign occupying government from a Chinese-inspired city and also giving their full support to a divinely-chosen monk, is it any wonder why the creators chose to name this group after The White Lotus?
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