Emperor Huaguang (), also known as Marshal Ma (馬靈官) or Wu Xian (五显), is a deity in Chinese folk religion associated with fire and protection. He is traditionally regarded as one of the in Taoist traditions.
Iconography In Taoist texts and folk religious traditions, Huaguang is associated with fire. In the Sanjiao Soushen Daquan (三教搜神大全), he is described as a deity connected with fire and supernatural powers. He is commonly depicted with a third eye, giving rise to the expression "Marshal Ma has three eyes" (马王爷三只眼).
In popular depictions, Huaguang is shown wearing armor and carrying weapons such as a golden brick (金砖) or other magical weapons. Some regional traditions also associate him with additional supernatural forms and symbols.
Origins The worship of Wu Xian (五显) originated in Jiangxi, particularly in Wuyuan County, and developed during the Song dynasty. Early forms of the belief were associated with a group of five deities or spirits. Over time, the worship became associated with Huaguang, and the deities received titles containing the character Xian (显) through official recognition.
During the Ming dynasty, worship of Huaguang and Wu Xian spread to regions including Jiangnan, Fujian, and Guangdong. Temples dedicated to these deities were established in different areas. In some Hakka and southern Chinese communities, Huaguang's birthday is observed on the 28th day of the ninth lunar month. In Yongding District, Fujian, some local merchants worship him as a deity associated with wealth.
Buddhist associations
According to the Song dynasty text Xianchuang Kuoyi Zhi (閒窗括異志) by Lu Yinglong, Wuxian Lingguan Dadi (五显灵官大帝, the Great Spiritual Official of the Five Manifestations) was identified with Huaguang Rulai (华光如来). However, scholar Chow Shu-kai argues in The Gods of Hong Kong: Origins, Temples and Worship that this identification represents a later folk association, noting that the title Huaguang Rulai traditionally refers to Śāriputra, one of the Buddha's disciples.
Huaguang is also worshiped as a temple guardian deity (伽藍神) in some Buddhist traditions and is enshrined at Manpuku-ji (萬福寺), the head temple of the Ōbaku Zen school in Kyoto, Japan.
In Chapter 96 of the Ming dynasty novel Journey to the West, the monk Tang Sanzang states that Huaguang Bodhisattva was a disciple of Flame Five-Light Buddha (火焰五光佛). According to the novel, after defeating Poisonous-Fire Ghost King (毒火鬼王), he was demoted and transformed into Wuxian Lingguan.
Patron deity of Cantonese opera In Guangdong and Hong Kong, Huaguang is worshipped by Cantonese opera (粤剧) performers as a patron deity. According to a traditional legend, the Jade Emperor once ordered Huaguang to destroy earthly theaters because of the actions of opera performers. Huaguang instead protected the performers, and Cantonese opera communities subsequently honored him as their patron.
Cantonese opera practitioners commonly refer to him as "Master Huaguang" (华光师傅). Some opera organizations and temples maintain shrines dedicated to Huaguang.
In Journey to the South Huaguang Dadi is the protagonist of the 17th-century Ming dynasty novel Journey to the South (南遊記). In the novel, Huaguang is originally a fire spirit named Miaojixiang (妙吉祥). After receiving teachings from Tathāgata Buddha, he obtains supernatural abilities. However, after killing Duhuo Gui during a Buddhist assembly, he comes into conflict with Tathāgata. He is later reborn as Ma Lingguan (馬靈官), the son of the deity of Mount Ma'er. Because of his divine origin, he is born with three eyes and is also known as Sanyan Lingguan (三眼靈官). Ma Lingguan later dies after attempting to obtain Ziwei Dadi's golden lance, after which Miaole Tianzun (妙樂天尊) arranges his rebirth as the son of Douniugong Tianwang.Cedzich, Ursula-Angelika (1995). "The Cult of the Wu-t'ung / Wu-hsien in History and Fiction: The Religious Roots of the Journey to the South". In David Johnson (ed.). Ritual and Scripture in Chinese Popular Religion. Institute of East Asian Studies. pp. 137–218. ISBN 0962432733.
After receiving instruction from Miaole Tianzun, Huaguang continues his cultivation and acquires magical weapons, including the Three-Cornered Golden Brick. The Jade Emperor later appoints him as the Great Marshal of the Troops and Horses of the Ministry of Fire. During his service in Heaven, Huaguang causes disturbances in the celestial court, including damaging the Heavenly Mirror and setting fire to the Southern Heavenly Gate. His rebellion is eventually suppressed by Xuantian Shangdi.
Huaguang is later reincarnated again as the son of Madam Xiao. In this part of the novel, his mother becomes possessed by a demon and is sent to Hell. Huaguang travels to the underworld to rescue her and encounters various supernatural figures, including Nezha. During his journey, he loses his Three-Cornered Golden Brick and obtains another weapon, the Golden Pagoda, from Yuhuan Shengmu (玉環聖母). He later marries Princess Iron Fan after defeating her in battle.
At the conclusion of the novel, Huaguang rescues his mother and obtains the Queen Mother of the West's Peaches of Immortality to restore her condition. The Jade Emperor forgives him and restores his position as a heavenly marshal.
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