ABSTRACT
Nature worship focused on figures that may seem rather strange but that are strongly symbolic. The sun, moon, and stars enjoy the highest reverence in nature worship. Along with mountain worship, the nature worship of northern shamanism later led to the worship of animals and plants. Their worship of animals and plants is discussed throughout this book, but not independently in any particular chapter. Fire worship originated from simple primordial nature rites of praying to heaven for warmth, light, and peace, and it has continued as an ancient custom among northern nationalities. Throughout many centuries, the old fire worship of northern China has been circulating across the area not only because of fire's beauty and light but more importantly because of the warmth it provided in the bitter cold winters. The worship of earth and water has also had a prominent position in northern shamanic nature worship.
