Yuanshi Tianzun (Classical Chinese: 元始天尊; Pinyin: Yúanshǐ Tīanzūn), the Celestial Venerable of the Primordial Beginning or the Primeval Lord of Heaven, is one of the highest deities of religious Taoism. He is one of the Three Pure Ones (Classical Chinese: 三清; Pinyin: Sānqīng), and is also known as the Jade Pure One (Classical Chinese: 玉清; Pinyin: Yùqīng). He resides in the Heaven of Jade Purity. It is believed that he came into being at the beginning of the universe as a result of the merging of pure breaths. He then created Heaven and Earth.