Four Heavenly Kings

Guanyin of the South Sea is protected by the Four Heavenly Kings. The Four Heavenly Kings are the guardians of the world who reside on the slopes of mount Sumeru, also known as mount Meru, in heaven named after them from where they are each responsible for one of the four cardinal directions. Each leads an army of supernatural creatures who help them keep the fighting demons at bay. Wind, Harmony, Rain and Prosperity are the four divine attributes which characterize the Heavenly Kings.

This warrior carries a huge umbrella.Whenever he puts up his umbrella, the sky over the battlefield turns dark and a cyclonic storm howls, sending sand and rocks whirling about. The eyesight of his rivals is sure to be impaired. Hardly has he shut up the umbrella when the rivals are drawn into it and arrested. He is blue skinned and wrathful in appearance. Sometimes he holds up a stupa in stead of an umbrella. He resides in the Crystal Palace on the north of the Four Heavens.

Chiguo is a helmeted warrior who plays a pipa, a 4-stringed Chinese lute. On the battlefield, he plucks the musical instrument and gives his enemy a headache. So he wins the battle. He resides in the Golden Palace on the east of the Four Heavens.

Zengzhang has the most furious expression on his face. He holds a magic sword in his hand. When ghosts and monsters dare to step in, he chants an incantation and throws his magic sword up into the sky. In a flash the sword flies down like lightning, hitting, sometimes even killing the intruder. He resides in the Glass Palace on the south of the Four Heavens.

Guangmu is represented with a water snake. Once released, the snake mounts the clouds and rides the mists. All of a sudden, this animal spurts out water and disperses his enemy. He resides in the Silver Palace on the west of the Four Heavens.

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This page is made by Anthony Debyser. For comment on this page send an e-mail to adebyser@hotmail.com