Wang Lingguan, originally named Wang E, later changed his name to Wang Shan due to the influence of Master Sa Zushi. The protector and guardian deity of Taoism. The Comprehensive Mirror to Immortals of All Dynasties states that he was the Grand General in front of the Jade Emperor, responsible for overseeing both heaven and earth. There is a saying among the people that goes, ‘With three eyes, one can observe the affairs of the world, and with a whip, one can awaken the people of the world.’. According to the “History of Ming Dynasty”, his real name was Wang Shan, from Xiangyin County, Yueyang. During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, he studied under the Taoist Sa Shoujian from Western Shu and received the secret symbol of Taoist talisman. He was a disciple of Taoist Lin Lingsu. An important Taoist deity who enjoyed state worship during the Ming Dynasty.
The famous thunder god, fire god, demon slaying god, and master of collecting plague and capturing poison.
The full name of Wang Lingguan is “The First General of the Innate, the Red Heart Protector of the Three Five Trains, Wang Tianjun, Weiling, manifested as the Heavenly Sovereign”. According to legend, he was born in the former Yin Wang of Luyi County, Henan Province.
Lingguan is the most revered protector and deity in Taoism. There is a saying in Taoism that there are five hundred spiritual officials, and Wang Lingguan is the head of the five hundred spiritual officials, known as the “Great Spiritual Official of Dutian”.
In the first hall of many Taoist temples, the spiritual official guarding the mountain gate is usually this Wang Lingguan. Entering the Taoist temple, the first hall inside the mountain gate is often the Lingguan Hall. Inside the hall, there is a red faced bearded man, dressed in a golden armor and red robe, glaring angrily with three eyes, stepping on a wind and fire wheel, holding a golden seal on the left, and holding a golden whip on the right. His image is extremely powerful and brave, making people fear him. This is the Taoist guardian deity Wang Lingguan, also known as the Train Lingguan Wang Marshal. Wang Lingguan faces the mountain gate, with fiery eyes and golden vision on his forehead, able to distinguish truth from falsehood and observe good and evil. Therefore, when Taoists go to the palace and enter the mountain gate, they first worship the Wang Lingguan. There is a folk saying that goes, “If you don’t go up the mountain, worship the Wang Lingguan first” to express their respect for this Taoist guardian deity.
Wang Lingguan is a significant deity in Chinese Taoist beliefs and folk worship.
Title and Status: He is the chief of the heavenly generals in the Thunder Department and the Fire Department of Taoism. His full title is “The Innate Chief General with a Sincere Heart Protecting the Tao, the Celestial Lord Wang Tianjun, the Majestic and Manifested Deity of the Three-Five Chariots”. He is also the first among the five hundred spirit officials and is known as “Marshal Wang, the Impartial Law Enforcer”.
Appearance: His statues usually have a red face, curly beard, golden armor, a red robe, green boots, a wind belt, a wind-fire wheel under his feet, and auspicious clouds. He glares with three eyes, holds a wind-fire wheel in his left hand and a golden whip in his right hand; or makes the “Thunder Seal” with his left hand and holds a golden whip in his right hand; or pinches the “Spirit Official Seal” with his left hand and holds a golden whip in his right hand.
Origin and Legend: The belief in Wang Lingguan started in the Song Dynasty. It is said that his original name was Wang Shan. According to the “Scripture of the Celestial Lord Wang Lingguan of the Fiery Chariot Spoken by the Primordial Celestial Lord of the Supreme Yang”, he was originally the chief of the South Dipper’s Fire Star (the Fire God). He was ordered by the Jade Emperor to supervise the Dragon God in raining for the human world. Due to his loyalty and integrity and his unyielding attitude towards evil, he was granted permission to have a temple built in Xiangtan to guard the territory. In the Song Dynasty, a Taoist named Sa Shoujian passed by the temple and burned it down with thunder and fire. Wang Lingguan reported this to the Jade Emperor and was given a golden whip to follow Sa Shoujian to monitor his mistakes for twelve years but found nothing wrong. Later, he was willing to turn from evil to good, became a disciple of Sa Shoujian, and was recommended to be a fierce official in charge of thunder, the Three-Five Chariots, and the Great Spirit Official in Charge of Universal Rectification
Religious Role: He is in charge of judging and punishing evil, safeguarding the ordinary people between heaven and earth. He is also a fire and thunder commander-in-chief who can command thunder and lightning, bring rain or clear the sky, exorcise evil and cure diseases.
Cultural Significance: In the Ming Dynasty, his belief was vigorously promoted by Taoist Zhou Side. With the support of the imperial family of the Ming Dynasty, it reached its peak. He was named “Longen Zhenjun” and “The Heavenly General of the Jade Pivot Fire Mansion” and had temples built for worship. In the Qing Dynasty, the custom of “Dancing as Wang Lingguan” emerged in the palace. At the same time, the worship of Wang Lingguan rose in Fujian and evolved into the belief in Wang Tianjun.
