The Five Great Immortals

One of the «Five Great Immortals» is revered by the common folk. Also known as the «Five Great Families» or «Five Manifestations of Wealth,» they refer to Hu San Taifu (Fox), Huang Er Daye (Yellow Weasel), Bai Lao Taifu (Hedgehog), Liu Xian Taifu (Snake), and Hui Xian Taifu (Rat).

Folk worship of animals is primarily manifested in the reverence for the «Five Great Families,» a form of admiration for mystical beings stemming from the belief that all things possess spirits.

The «Five Great Families» are also referred to as the «Five Great Immortals,» including the Fox Immortal (Fox), Yellow Immortal (Weasel), White Immortal (Hedgehog), Willow Immortal (Snake), and Grey Immortal (Rat). It is widely believed that these beings have coexisted with humans for an extended period and embody a supernatural existence that is both demonic and divine.

It is believed that if these beings are harmed, they can retaliate against humans using their magical powers, bringing various degrees of calamity. Conversely, if people revere them, they may receive blessings. Therefore, many households in folklore pay homage to the «Five Great Families.»

There are two methods of worship: one involves placing a complete statue of the deities next to the household’s Buddhist or ancestral altar, including the Eight Deities (Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity, the Three Gods, and the Five Great Families), arranged in three rows. The depictions of the Five Great Families are human-like, with kind and benevolent expressions. Except for the White Immortal, associated with the image of an elderly lady, the other four are male, dressed in official attire, wearing warm hats, with colors such as grey-blue or stone grey.

The White Immortal wears a dress, phoenix crown, and beautiful attire. Another method involves constructing a «Immortal Family Tower» in a corner of the courtyard and placing the plaques of the Five Great Families.

This tower is a wooden model temple, a little over three feet wide and over two feet high. It closely resembles a real temple, complete with ridge, eaves, and four doors at the front. The plaques of the Five Great Families are placed inside, along with offerings. People create a wooden stand beneath the tower, about half a foot high, with a circular hole at the connection to the tower and another on the side. This facilitates the ease of the Five Great Families enjoying the food offerings and moving in and out conveniently.

In the worship of the Five Great Families, there is a particular reverence for the Fox Immortal, Yellow Immortal, and White Immortal. Numerous legendary tales surround their miracles.

The belief in the Five Great Families largely diminished after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.

The Fox Immortal: The Sole Entry Among the Ten Diabolic Beings

In Chinese mythology, the fox, through cultivation, guidance from sages, or absorbing the essence of the sun, moon, or human aura, can transform into human form, ultimately reaching the status of an immortal fox with eternal life. This is documented in the «Shan Hai Jing- East of the Overseas.»

In traditional Chinese culture, the fox has always been a dualistic figure, embodying both good and evil traits.

Historical records reveal that during the early Tang Dynasty, people frequently encountered foxes. The «Yuyang Za Zhu» records: «It is said that wild foxes, named purple foxes, appear with a fire at their tails at night. To avoid being considered strange, they must wear a skull and worship the North Star. If the skull doesn’t fall, they can transform into humans.» Another belief was that foxes possessed enchanting pearls in their mouths and obtaining one would bring immense favor.

Fox spirits often transformed into beautiful women to seduce young men or girls. A tale in the «Extensive Records of the Taiping Era» recounts the plight of a woman bewitched by a fox: «The woman adorned herself heavily and chatted and laughed as if conversing with someone. Upon leaving, she would scream and weep uncontrollably.»

On the other hand, benevolent fox spirits are portrayed in the Tang legend «The Tale of Ren Ji.» The fox spirit Ren Ji maintained her chastity, managed her household wisely, and the scholar Shen Jiji praised her, saying, «The emotions of such extraordinary beings can also be virtuous! Faced with adversity, they do not lose their integrity, sacrificing themselves for the sake of others. Even among women today, there are those who cannot compare.»

In «Extensive Records of the Taiping Era,» in the chapter titled «Calculating the Truth,» the wife of a man named Ji Zhen reveals on her deathbed that she is a fox spirit. Despite this revelation, Ji Zhen continues to love her unwaveringly until her death. In Pu Songling’s novel «Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio,» there are many tales narrating the love stories between kind-hearted fox spirits and mortal beings.

In northern China, there exists a belief in fox spirit worship, seeking blessings for a continuous supply of food. Folklore also mentions the concept of a «fox spirit descending,» referring to a person whose seven orifices are fully “opened” by a fox spirit. Such individuals can predict good and bad fortune and are believed to possess the ability to eliminate evil spirits. The «Dreams of the Northern Capital – People of Cangzhou» records: «If a fox cries in a village, there will be ominous events.»

The Nine-Tailed Fox

In the mythology and folklore of China, the most renowned nine-tailed fox is Daji. Originally the daughter of Su Hu, Marquis of Ji in the Shang Dynasty, Daji was possessed by a nine-tailed fox, causing King Zhou to become cruel, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. According to legends, every five hundred years of cultivation, a fox’s tail splits in half, forming two tails. Hence, the nine-tailed fox can be considered the highest realm of fox spirits.

The Yellow Immortal: A Mythical Figure in Chinese Folklore

The Yellow Immortal, also known as the Yellow Weasel. In the past, its statues were worshipped in the Temple of the Heavenly Queen. The reverence for the Yellow Immortal stems from two main reasons. Firstly, its allure lies in its fox-like beauty and cunning demeanor, reminiscent of the fox spirit, creating an aura of mystery. Secondly, it is believed to have the power to influence the spiritual realm of individuals, particularly associated with a mental disorder known as «hysteria”.

Folklore suggests that once the Yellow Weasel attaches itself to a person, hysteria may ensue, with a higher prevalence among women or those suffering from mental depression. The symptoms of this disorder manifest in tearful episodes, continuous speaking and singing, recounting mystical events, or expressing grievances from one’s life. Some individuals afflicted with hysteria may even compose enchanting poetry during their episodes. Those affected often fail to recognize family and friends during these episodes, and their speech patterns differ from their usual demeanor.

There are peculiar beliefs surrounding the treatment of individuals with hysteria. Legend has it that small rolling balls exist beneath the skin of the afflicted, and by using a needle to pierce and immobilize these balls, the attached Yellow Weasel can be driven to its demise. Treatment is commonly administered by pricking the patient’s philtrum with a needle. Additionally, a curious phenomenon is said to occur during episodes; if a doctor, sorcerer, or someone who has confronted the Yellow Weasel coughs outside the door, the episode immediately ceases, returning the individual to a state resembling normalcy.

While hysteria itself does not leave lasting effects, it is challenging to achieve a complete cure, often leading to recurrent episodes.

With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the traditional worship of the Yellow Immortal gradually dwindled in the folk traditions.

The White Immortal: A Folkloric Guardian in the Form of a Hedgehog

The White Immortal, also known as the Hedgehog, is often represented by drawings on paper affixed to walls or wooden boards crafted into the likeness of the White Immortal. Some households even have a dedicated space known as the White Temple for this purpose.

Unlike elaborate ceremonies for other deities, the worship of the White Immortal is simple; a direct inscription indicating devotion is sufficient. However, neglecting the so-called household guardian is discouraged, with regular offerings made, especially during meals featuring meat and steamed buns.

The reverence for the White Immortal varies in folk beliefs. Many consider it a symbol of prosperity and a talisman against illnesses. In local legends, the White Old Lady is believed to be a spiritual entity evolved from the hedgehog, specializing in healing and adept in sorcery. In the past, statues of the White Old Lady were enshrined in the Temple of the Heavenly Queen. Unfortunately, during the «Cultural Revolution» in 1966, these statues were destroyed.

The Willow Immortal (Also Known as the Serpent Immortal): An Ancient Tale of Reverence

The veneration of the Serpent Immortal, also known as the Willow Immortal, traces its roots back to ancient times, where legends depicted Fu Xi and Nuwa as deities with human heads and serpent bodies. Snakes are often seen as the embodiment of dragons, categorizing individuals born in the Year of the Snake as akin to the small dragon.

People believe in the mystical nature of snakes, as these creatures possess unique shapes, can slither and molt, and exhibit mysterious and agile movements. It is believed that their magical abilities surpass even those of foxes, and they have the power to transform into human forms with the ability to capture objects from miles of distance.

The Ashen Immortal: Reverence for the Wise Mouse in Chinese Folklore

The veneration of the Wise Mouse, also known as the Ashen Immortal, stems from the intriguing nocturnal activities of mice. Their elusive nature, venturing out in the darkness while remaining hidden during the day, has elevated them to symbols of intelligence and even deification.

Some regard them as guardians of granaries, conducting rituals to worship them during the folk festival of Grain-Filling. Additionally, there is a belief that mice possess the ability to foresee the future, engage in divination, and bring prosperity to individuals. Consequently, they are also considered deities of wealth, with people seeking their blessings to bring treasures into the household during the darkness.

Folklore has woven a parallel world for mice, akin to the human realm, giving rise to numerous folk tales and artistic creations. Among these, artworks such as Yangliuqing New Year paintings, the colorful clay sculptures by Niuren Zhang, and paper-cuttings feature enduring pieces like «The Mouse’s Wedding» and «The Mouse’s Marriage,» enriching the cultural tapestry with imaginative stories of the mouse kingdom in Chinese tradition.