Emperor Huaguang (simplified Chinese: 华光大帝; traditional Chinese: 華光大帝; pinyin: Huá guāng dàdì) is a taoist war deity[1] also known as Wu Xian.[2] He is the head of the Four Guardian Marshals[1]
According to the "Lai Sea Collection," Emperor Huaguang is said to have been born on September 28 and is associated with the five elements of the five phases. He is also referred to as the "Five Elements Emperor," with the emperor of the east being associated with blue, the emperor of the south with red, the emperor of the west with white, the emperor of the north with black, and the emperor of the center with yellow.[2]
In Hakka folk customs, Emperor Huaguang is said to have transitioned from a god to a human and back to a god and spirit. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor bestowed upon him the title of "Yufeng Buddha's Supreme Good King Emperor Huaguang Emperor" and appointed him to govern the middle realm. From then on, people looked up to him for blessings, praying for sons if they want a son and for daughters if they want a daughter. Businessmen would gain profits, students would earn top honors, and farmers would have bountiful harvests. Every year on September 28, the birthday of Emperor Huaguang, a grand temple fair would be held in the rural areas of Xunwu County, Jiangxi to celebrate his birthday and pray for good weather and bountiful harvests. In Yongding County, Fujian, Emperor Huaguang is considered the god of wealth and is especially revered by cigarette merchants. On the first and fifteenth day of each month, they would burn incense and offer sacrifices at the Emperor Huaguang Temple located in the southern gate. During the Chinese New Year, from the fifteenth to the eighteenth, the four gates of the city would welcome Emperor Huaguang one by one. After Emperor Huaguang's return to the temple, the cigarette merchants would quickly prepare offerings of "five animals" (chicken, duck, fish, pork, and beef) as well as candles, paper fireworks, and rush to the temple to make offerings.[2]
Another belief is that Emperor Huaguang, was born on the 28th day of the ninth lunar month. He is said to be a fire god with three eyes and is also known as "Three-Eyed Huaguang." He is said to have enjoyed playing with fire and once burned the Jade Emperor's Nine Dragon Terrace. The Jade Emperor was furious and banished Emperor Huaguang to the mortal realm as punishment. Emperor Huaguang eventually became a cultivator and attained enlightenment, becoming a bodhisattva. He is said to have the ability to grant wishes and bring good luck, which is why he is widely worshipped.[2]
Huaguang Dadi is the protagonist of the 17th-century novel Journey to the South. In Journey to the South, the tale recounts the story of Huaguang Dadi, originally a fire spirit who attained deity status after listening to Tathāgata Buddha's teachings for an extended period. However, Huaguang offended Tathāgata by killing Duhuo Gui during one of Buddha's preaching sessions. As a consequence, he was reborn as Ma Lingguan, the son of the Goddess of Mount Ma'er, also referred to as Sanyen Lingguan due to his three eyes. Tragically, Ma Lingyao met his demise when he tried to steal Ziwei Dadi's golden lance and was killed by him. Fortunately, Miaole Tianzun (妙樂天尊), a senior deity, facilitated his rebirth as the son of the deity Douniugong Tianwang.[3]
Under the tutelage of Miaole Tianzun, Huaguang honed numerous abilities and was gifted a versatile Three-Cornered Golden Brick that could transform into anything he desired. The Jade Emperor appointed him as the Great Marshal of the Troops and Horses of the Ministry of Fire. However, during an official banquet in the Heavenly Palace, Huaguang caused mayhem by striking the Crown Prince of Heaven, shattering the Heavenly Mirror (a prison for malevolent spirits), and setting fire to the Southern Heavenly Gate. His disruptive actions in Heaven were eventually quelled by Xuantian Shangdi.[3]
Once again, Huaguang was reincarnated, this time within the womb of Madam Xiao. Tragically, his mother became possessed by a demon that had escaped from the shattered Heavenly Mirror, transforming her into a cannibal. While undergoing training with his teacher, the Dragon King arrested Madam Xiao and cast her into Hell. Huaguang embarked on an arduous quest to find his mother, vanquishing numerous deities along the way. However, he lost his Precious Three-Cornered Golden Brick in a battle against Nezha. In need of a new weapon, Huaguang acquired the esteemed Golden Pagoda from the goddess Yuhuan Shengmu, leading to a confrontation with her daughter, Princess Iron Fan. Huaguang emerged victorious and took the princess as his wife.[3]
Subsequently, Huaguang embarked on a journey to Hell, successfully rescuing his mother and securing the Queen Mother of the West's Peaches of Immortality to spare her from cannibalism. In the end, the Jade Emperor granted him forgiveness, appointing him as the Heavenly Marshal. He is known as Ma Yuanshai (Marshal Ma) or Ma Lingguan, bearing the surname "Ma".[3]