The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is one of the most mysterious and culturally significant factions in Genshin Impact. Headquartered in the bustling city of Liyue, this funeral parlor plays a crucial role in the region’s spiritual traditions, ensuring the proper passage of souls into the afterlife. Led by the enigmatic and playful Hu Tao, with the wise Zhongli as an esteemed consultant, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor combines deep-rooted cultural wisdom with an air of mystique. Its existence not only maintains the traditions of Liyue but also introduces players to the delicate balance between life and death in Teyvat.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor – Location and Cultural Significance
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is located in Liyue, a city that stands as a beacon of tradition and commerce in Teyvat. Renowned for its awe-inspiring geography of towering mountains and placid waters, Liyue embodies an ancient civilization steeped in spiritual customs. Within this vibrant city, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor serves as the guardian of funeral rites, ensuring that each soul receives a dignified transition to the afterlife.
Leadership and Key Members
Hu Tao – The 77th Director
Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, is at the heart of its operations. She embodies an eccentric yet philosophical perspective on life and death, often balancing mischievous antics with an unwavering commitment to her duty. Despite her playful demeanor, Hu Tao possesses profound wisdom regarding the passage of souls, emphasizing the importance of respecting the deceased while celebrating the living.
Zhongli – The Consultant
Zhongli, also known as the Geo Archon Rex Lapis in his past life, serves as a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. His incredible depth of knowledge about Liyue’s customs and rituals makes him invaluable in preserving the city’s funeral traditions. Though now living as a mortal, Zhongli’s wisdom ensures that the ceremonial rites performed by the parlor remain sacred and unblemished.
Role and Responsibilities
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is dedicated to preserving Liyue’s ancestral traditions concerning death and the afterlife. Its responsibilities include:
- Performing funeral ceremonies and ensuring proper rites are followed.
- Guiding spirits safely to the afterlife.
- Preserving ancient customs through incense-burning, river-lantern rituals, and sacred chants.
- Providing counseling or spiritual guidance to the bereaved.
Through these ceremonies, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor strengthens the bridge between the living and the departed, ensuring that spiritual harmony prevails.
Symbolism and Design
Butterflies – The Symbol of Transition
The butterfly is a powerful motif in the aesthetic and lore of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, particularly through Hu Tao’s design. Representing transformation, rebirth, and the soul’s journey, butterflies subtly reinforce the parlor’s role in ferrying spirits to the other side.
The Equinox Flower
Hu Tao’s outfit prominently displays the Equinox Flower, a plant associated with funerals and the underworld in various East Asian traditions. This symbolic element highlights her deep connection to death’s spiritual realm and her understanding of the cycle of life.
Harmony Hexagram Hat
The hat Hu Tao wears is inspired by Taoist exorcism tools, resembling a Lingpai used in religious rituals. This design choice further reinforces her role in escorting spirits and driving away malefic energy.
Interactions and Relationships
Hu Tao and Qiqi
One of the most well-known rivalries in Genshin Impact is between Hu Tao and Qiqi. Due to Qiqi being a zombie, Hu Tao firmly believes she should receive eternal rest. However, Qiqi, wanting to continue her life, evades Hu Tao’s efforts to arrange a “proper burial.” This leads to humorous yet somewhat eerie conflicts between the two.
Hu Tao and Baizhu
Hu Tao harbors persistent dislike towards Baizhu, the caretaker of Bubu Pharmacy. Since Baizhu protects Qiqi from Hu Tao’s burial attempts, the two frequently clash over their conflicting ideologies regarding life and death.
How to Visit the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Genshin Impact
Players looking to visit the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for lore exploration can follow these steps:
- Head to Liyue Harbor, the central hub of the Liyue region.
- Locate the parlor situated near the upper areas of the city.
- Interact with NPCs and explore the interiors to learn more about its traditions.
- Engage with Hu Tao’s story quest to experience deeper insights into its lore.
FAQs about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
What is the role of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is responsible for performing funeral rites, assisting with spiritual transitions, and upholding Liyue’s ancient traditions surrounding death.
Who leads the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
The 77th Director, Hu Tao, leads the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with an eccentric yet deeply philosophical approach to the job.
Why does Hu Tao want to bury Qiqi?
Hu Tao sees Qiqi’s existence as unnatural and believes that giving her a proper burial would free her soul to move on.
Why does Zhongli work at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
Zhongli acts as a consultant, ensuring that Liyue’s traditional funeral customs remain intact and respected.
What cultural inspirations shaped the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
The funeral parlor takes heavy inspiration from Chinese and Taoist burial customs, incorporating elements like incense-burning, spirit guidance, and ancestral rites.
What does the butterfly symbolize in Hu Tao’s design?
Butterflies serve as a representation of transformation, rebirth, and the passage of souls, reinforcing her connection to the afterlife.
Why does Hu Tao dislike Baizhu?
Hu Tao dislikes Baizhu because he constantly interferes with her attempts to “liberate” Qiqi’s soul.
Can players access the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
Yes, players can visit the parlor in Liyue, although interior access is often limited outside of quests.
Does the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor play a role in any quests?
Yes, Hu Tao’s story quest extensively explores the Parlor’s traditions and its role in Liyue.
What is Zhongli’s relationship with Hu Tao?
Though Hu Tao is technically Zhongli’s superior at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, they share mutual respect, and Zhongli provides her with guidance when necessary.
Conclusion
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor embodies the rich heritage and deep-rooted beliefs of Liyue, providing a meaningful and respectful approach to death in Genshin Impact. Through Hu Tao’s peculiar leadership and Zhongli’s boundless wisdom, the faction upholds the traditions of the living while honoring the passage of the departed. Players intrigued by the symbolic and cultural depth of Liyue’s customs will find the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to be one of the most fascinating and integral factions in the game.
Source: Sipder
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