Lost in Kaohsiung
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n Taiwan's traditional society, major religious pilgrimages usually center on religious figures called Infernal Generals who walk in choreographed groups called arrays. Many people who encounter these Infernal Generals on the street are wary of them because of their elaborate costumes and gaudily painted faces, which is a pity: in doing so they miss an opportunity to admire the folk artistry behind the performances. In fact, these Infernal Generals not only symbolize the religious beliefs of the people, they also reveal the cultural and historical background of their ancestors.
There are many tales regarding the origin of the Infernal Generals. Some scholars believe that they have close ties to the "Five Deities of Plague Control". As residents of Fujian tell it, the Infernal Generals are the bodyguards or lieutenant generals for the Five Deities of Plague Control who sweep away plagues troubling local residents. The five deities were once students before they were designated deities by the Jade Emperor - the ultimate God figure in Chinese culture. One night these students observed that the devil of plague was trying to poison the water in a well so that local residents who drank it would be poisoned. They sacrificed their own lives by jumping into the well to warn local residents that the water was poisoned. The Jade Emperor acknowledged their sacrifices and kindness in helping the people, by designating them the Five Deities of Plague Control. Since that time one of the most controversial of all folk tales has been the story that the Infernal Generals were sent by the Jade Emperor to assist the Five Deities of Plague Control in getting rid of plagues among the civilian population.
Another version holds that the Infernal Generals had been bandits before they became religious figures. Chenghuang, the god of cities and castles, forced them to turn over a new leaf and become his right-hand men. At the same time, in some provinces of China many people believe that the Infernal Generals are the religious figures of ancient policemen who are now worshipped as ambassadors from the underworld. In fact, many academic sources can be found to support this tale.
There are eight members of the Infernal Generals, including Gan, Liou, Fan, and Hsieh as the four generals and Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter as four seasonal gods. Currently, however, many arrays featuring the Infernal Generals are formed of 4, 6, 8, 10 or even 12 figures, highly inconsistent with the original tales of the "eight generals". This usually happens when the organizers of a pilgrimage recruit too many or too few people to pose as the Infernal Generals.
Regardless of how many people may be recruited, the arrays of Infernal Generals must follow certain structures. To begin with, they must wear helmets and robes, and they keep one arm raised above the shoulder and the other folded next to the armpit at all times. Footwear calls for straw sandals with bells attached. In addition, the arm that is raised above the shoulder holds a fan (which may be black, white, red or a mixture of flowery colors) while the other holds a religious instrument. Finally, they make up their faces in keeping with traditional symbolism and ceremonial rules. In fact, putting on make up is the first of many steps in getting ready for a performance.
Once the make-up has been applied, actors playing the Infernal Generals are not allowed to eat meat or to talk to anyone. According to ceremonial rules, any actor who breaks this rule is subject to punishment from the gods. When show time arrives, the actors all stand in an array to mark the beginning of the performance. The actors shake their heads, stare with their eyes and swing their bodies wildly as they walk, maintaining a respectable and powerful attitude throughout the whole process. In addition, the Infernal Generals cannot allow anyone other than crewmembers to get close to them, which is another way they command respect from those around them.
DSC_00650057
n Taiwan's traditional society, major religious pilgrimages usually center on religious figures called Infernal Generals who walk in choreographed groups called arrays. Many people who encounter these Infernal Generals on the street are wary of them because of their elaborate costumes and gaudily painted faces, which is a pity: in doing so they miss an opportunity to admire the folk artistry behind the performances. In fact, these Infernal Generals not only symbolize the religious beliefs of the people, they also reveal the cultural and historical background of their ancestors.
There are many tales regarding the origin of the Infernal Generals. Some scholars believe that they have close ties to the "Five Deities of Plague Control". As residents of Fujian tell it, the Infernal Generals are the bodyguards or lieutenant generals for the Five Deities of Plague Control who sweep away plagues troubling local residents. The five deities were once students before they were designated deities by the Jade Emperor - the ultimate God figure in Chinese culture. One night these students observed that the devil of plague was trying to poison the water in a well so that local residents who drank it would be poisoned. They sacrificed their own lives by jumping into the well to warn local residents that the water was poisoned. The Jade Emperor acknowledged their sacrifices and kindness in helping the people, by designating them the Five Deities of Plague Control. Since that time one of the most controversial of all folk tales has been the story that the Infernal Generals were sent by the Jade Emperor to assist the Five Deities of Plague Control in getting rid of plagues among the civilian population.
Another version holds that the Infernal Generals had been bandits before they became religious figures. Chenghuang, the god of cities and castles, forced them to turn over a new leaf and become his right-hand men. At the same time, in some provinces of China many people believe that the Infernal Generals are the religious figures of ancient policemen who are now worshipped as ambassadors from the underworld. In fact, many academic sources can be found to support this tale.
There are eight members of the Infernal Generals, including Gan, Liou, Fan, and Hsieh as the four generals and Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter as four seasonal gods. Currently, however, many arrays featuring the Infernal Generals are formed of 4, 6, 8, 10 or even 12 figures, highly inconsistent with the original tales of the "eight generals". This usually happens when the organizers of a pilgrimage recruit too many or too few people to pose as the Infernal Generals.
Regardless of how many people may be recruited, the arrays of Infernal Generals must follow certain structures. To begin with, they must wear helmets and robes, and they keep one arm raised above the shoulder and the other folded next to the armpit at all times. Footwear calls for straw sandals with bells attached. In addition, the arm that is raised above the shoulder holds a fan (which may be black, white, red or a mixture of flowery colors) while the other holds a religious instrument. Finally, they make up their faces in keeping with traditional symbolism and ceremonial rules. In fact, putting on make up is the first of many steps in getting ready for a performance.
Once the make-up has been applied, actors playing the Infernal Generals are not allowed to eat meat or to talk to anyone. According to ceremonial rules, any actor who breaks this rule is subject to punishment from the gods. When show time arrives, the actors all stand in an array to mark the beginning of the performance. The actors shake their heads, stare with their eyes and swing their bodies wildly as they walk, maintaining a respectable and powerful attitude throughout the whole process. In addition, the Infernal Generals cannot allow anyone other than crewmembers to get close to them, which is another way they command respect from those around them.