Four Heavenly Kings: 四大天王

August 21, 2024

Four Heavenly Kings: 四大天王

Music: Sutra of Rebirth (Black Myth Wukong)

The Four Heavenly Kings were featured in the intro of Black Myth Wukong. This article will give a brief intro for them in Chinese mythology and their context in Journey to the West. Strap in. Today is also the release of Black Myth Wukong.

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Four Great Heavenly Kings

The Four Heavenly Kings are guardians of the 4 cardinal directions in Buddhist belief (the Devarajas.) But in Chinese mythology, not only were the Four Heavenly Kings revered as Buddhist guardians- in later centuries they took on a distinct new incarnation in Chinese folk religion as well. As a set, they are called 四大天王 or literally "Four Great Heavenly Kings." Alternatively they were called 四大金刚 meaning "Four Great Vajras."

Four heavenly kings in Temple of the Giant Leshan Buddha, China. Sculpture by She Guoping. Modern sculpture set in the traditional Ming style.

A DISTINCTIVELY CHINESE RECHRISTENING 魔家四將

The Four Heavenly Kings had came to China via the introduction of Buddhism. Often in Tang era iconography the Kings would be encased in contemporary Chinese armors. For a deeper dive about their archeological records and iconography feel free to read this article. With the procession of dynasties their armors changed according to the armors en vogue at the time. Although the preferred depiction of them has them encased in elaborate mountain pattern armor.

Although the four indeed had origins in Buddhist traditions. By the end of the 16th century and early 17th century the four were given a distinctive Chinese origin story in the novel "Investiture of the Gods." The novel is a highly romanticized account of the fall of the Shang dynasty and the climactic rise of the Zhou- and the origin of the Mandate of Heave. The novel was Homeric in scope and all manner of Gods and demons joined in the fray of the mortals and intervened against each other's stratagems and machinations. In the novel the 4 were recast as 4 brothers all named Mo "魔" (lit. "monster") who faithfully guarded the Jiameng Pass for the Shang and were all slain in the battle by the Zhou heroes but later they found their immortality as heavenly guardians of the 4 cardinal directions.

Wukong Concept Artwork by Yang qi917

THE LUTE, SWORD SNAKE AND PARASOL

THE SWORD- SOUTH

The eldest of the 4 guardians and eldest of the 4 brothers was named Mó Lǐqīng (魔礼青)- he carries a precious enchanted sword called "Azure Cloud Sword" that can cut iron like clay and the tip bears a talisman with the four words "earth, water, fire, wind." which can unleash elemental calamities upon his foes. The blade can conjure black whirlwinds, cast firestorms and also shower foes with rain of javelins, any one that is struck by the blade will disintegrate into dust. Aside from his iconic sword, Mo Liqing's face's often depicted with a blue face and he guards the cardinal direction of the south.

THE PARASOL- NORTH

His younger brother, Mó Lǐhóng (魔礼红)- carries a parasol called "the parasol of primitive chaos", covered with luminous pearls and all manner of precious gems. It is an immense nearly galactic weapon capable of miracles and wonders. No one dares to open this parasol, because when it does, the sky is veiled, the earth darkens, no more light comes from the sun or the moon. The parasol is a portable eclipse and walking night. It can also create obscuring mists that hurts foes. When it twirls the world shakes. The pearls on the umbrella spell out "the weight of the universe." Aside from his iconic umbrella, Mo Lihong's face's often depicted with a green face and he guards the cardinal direction of the north.

THE LUTE- EAST

The third brother, Mó Lǐhǎi (魔礼海)- carries an enchanted pipa (Chinese Mandolin) called "Jasper Pipa" with four strings each designated "earth, water, fire and wind." The pipa functions similarly to his elder brother's "Azure Cloud Sword" and can unleash elemental calamities upon his foes. Mo Lihai is also an expert player so in his frenzy and rifts can combine various elemental attacks all into one dazzling onslaught. A rift in storms. Aside from his iconic pipa, Mo Lihai's face's often depicted with a white face and he guards the cardinal direction of the east.

THE SNAKE- WEST

The youngest brother, Mó Lǐshòu (魔礼寿)- is the summoner zoo keeper of the group. His dragon like snake acts like his divine lasso against his foes. He carries an enchanted small bag with a monstrous pet called the "Purple fox marten." Though rat like in appearance once it was let out of the bag it can swiftly grow to the size of a white elephant and can devour countless men and whole armies. Aside from his iconic snake (or bags.) Mo Lishou's face's often depicted with a red face and he guards the cardinal direction of the west.

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

In the "Journey to the West" the Four Heavenly Kings were all deployed by the Jade Emperor along with the heavenly army to apprehend Monkey King. A resounding callback to this even was featured at the opening of Black Myth Wukong where the heavenly army appeared to cut down Wukong after he already finished with his (original) journey.