Kangju is an ancient religion that practiced in East Asia for thousands of years. It has been described as a polytheistic religion with many gods and goddesses.
The exact nature of their deities and how they relate to each other is still unclear. Sexuality was seen as a part of life in Kangju society. There were no taboos against it but there were strict rules about who could have sex with whom.
Incestuous relationships were forbidden. In addition, only married people were allowed to have sex with one another; adultery was punishable by death. The reason behind these restrictions may be due to the belief that sexual energy could lead to sickness or even death if misused.
Sex played an important role in religious rituals. Priests would often perform sex acts during ceremonies as a way to increase the power of the gods. This practice was called "sex magic." Some scholars believe that this was done because the priests believed that sex could be used as a tool to control the weather or even bring rain. Other theories suggest that the act itself was intended to honor the gods and give them pleasure. Whatever the case, the use of sex magic seems to have been commonplace in Kangju culture.
The concept of virginity also played a significant role in Kangju society. Unmarried women were expected to remain virgins until marriage. If she did not, she would be shamed publicly and her family would suffer consequences. Virginity was seen as a sign of purity and worthiness for marriage. Once a woman was married, however, she was free to engage in sex as much as she wanted without fear of reprisal. Her husband was responsible for protecting her virtue.
Sex played an important role in Kangju religion and culture. While there were some taboos against it, sex was still viewed as a natural part of life. It was used in religious ceremonies and was considered a powerful tool.
Virginity was highly valued in unmarried women but once they were wedded, they could enjoy their sexual desires freely.
How was sexuality framed within Kangju religious cosmology and ritual practice?
The prevalent understanding of sexuality among Kangju people, at least from their mythical accounts, is that it holds a prominent place in the ritual life of communities as well as in interpersonal relationships between individuals. In fact, according to ancient texts, the gods were believed to be extremely interested in sex, with stories suggesting that they engaged in sexual acts frequently for purposes ranging from procreation to pleasure.