Canonization of the Gods, whose author is unknown, was written in the middle of the Ming Dynasty. It represents Chinese classics of mythical literature in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The 100-chapter novel tells the story of the rebellion against, and the fall of, the last degenerated and tyrannical emperor Zhou of the Shang Dynasty, and the rise of the benevolent first emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty. The gods in heaven fall into two camps to support Emperor Wu and Emperor Zhou respectively. Through severe fighting between the two sides, Emperor Zhou fails and burns himself alive at last. Jiang Ziya, the prime minister of Zhou, canonizes the key warriors of both sides as gods in the Chinese pantheon. With historic events as the background, the novel shows the theme through depiction of deities and fantasies, making historic events fantastic and imaginary characters historical.

An idea of benevolence conquering atrocity penetrates in the novel. It airs the view that justice will conquer injustice, with the description of the victory of King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty and the fall of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty.
The novel successfully creates the tyrant Emperor Zhou of the Shang Dynasty with emphasis on his atrocity and fatuity, reflecting the brutal political oppressions in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.

It is also famous for its rich imagination. Characters depicted in the novel, with their odd appearances or magical powers, such as Lei Zhengzi who can fly with his wings, Nezha who can transform into three heads and six arms, and the Clairvoyance and the Clairaudient, are known very well in later generations.