Fenxiang

Model humanity: Main philosophical traditions: Ritual traditions: Devotional traditions: Salvation churches and sects: Confucian churches and sects: Fenxiang (分香), literally the incense division,[α] is a term that defines both hierarchical networks of temples dedicated to a particular Deity or Deities in Chinese folk religion, and the ritual process by which these networks form.

[1] Networks of affiliated temples dedicated to the cult of a specific God or Deity can proliferate extensively.

These networks are economic and social bodies, and in certain moments of history have even taken military functions.

[1] One notable example will Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage in Taiwan.

When a new temple dedicated to the same Deity is founded, it enters the sacred network through the ritual of division of incense.