托塔天王

tuōtǎ tiānwáng

proper noun

Meanings

1 The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King
2 Li Jing, father of Nezha in Chinese mythology; derived from the Buddhist guardian Vaisravana

Characters

to hold up; bear

Examples

HSK 3

托塔天王李靖是哪吒的父亲。

Tuōtǎ tiānwáng Lǐ Jìng shì Nézhā de fùqīn.

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing is Nezha's father.

HSK 5

在《西游记》里,托塔天王是天庭的大将。

Zài 《 Xīyóujì 》 lǐ, Tuōtǎ tiānwáng shì Tiāntíng de dàjiàng.

In Journey to the West, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King is a top general of the Heavenly Court.

HSK 6

托塔天王手里拿着一座宝塔。

Tuōtǎ tiānwáng shǒulǐ ná zhe yí zuò bǎotǎ.

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King holds a treasure pagoda in his hand.

Tips

culture

Mythological syncretism: the Buddhist guardian 毗沙门天王 (Vaisravana) fused with the historical Tang general 李靖 (571-649). The pagoda was given by Buddha to restrain his son Nezha, who had threatened to kill him - hence 托塔 (bearing the pagoda).

In Pop Culture

李靖 Lǐ Jìng

Both a historical Tang general and his mythologized version as a heavenly king and father of Nezha.

Stroke Order

托 tuō

塔 tǎ

天 tiān

王 wáng