Help translating inscription on statue

[photao]

 

Hi: I'm hoping someone can help me translate this inscription, which is on a taoist statue I recently purchased. There was a little bit of a language barrier between me and the woman who sold it to me. I would be very grateful! I also am attaching a photo of the full statue, in case anyone knows any further information about it. Thanks!

 

[gendao]

土地公神位

tǔ dì gōng shén wèi

[photao]

Thanks, Vortex. I'm afraid I need a little more in the way of an English translation. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

[Apech]

Google translate he say "Earth God tablets" ... does this make any sense?

[photao]

Thanks, Apech, that helped a lot. I was able to find info about The Earth Land God (土地神 Tudi Shen), or simply Earth God in English. He is also called Grandfather Earth (土地公 Tudi Gong). The formal title is the Righteous Spirit of Fortune & Merit (福德正神 Fude Zhengshen). The Birthday of the Earth God (土地福德正神聖誕 Tudi Fude Zhengshen Shengdan) is observed on the 2nd day of the 2nd Chinese lunar month.

[ChiDragon]

土地公神位

神位: a "place holder" which is dedicated to a deity.

土地公: is a male(公) deity of earth.

Note: There are many legends about this deity. Normally, there is a name written on a tablet indicting who the deity is. Then, place the tablet on a altar to be worshiped. Now, there is a place holder in position for a particular deity.

Edited July 7, 2013 by ChiDragon

[photao]

Thank you, ChiDragon. I am actually planning on using this for an altar. Here is something I found about Tudi Gong, see what you think:

 

http://jadeturtlerecords.blogspot.com/2011/03/earth-god.html (in English).

 

http://www.mzb.com.cn/html/report/120593-1.htm (in Chinese).

Edited July 7, 2013 by photao