CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

— 401 —
M> Is T*f pitched his camp, and prepared for the coming battle (1).
Being apprized of the arrival of the celestial army, Hwang
Fei-hu jif H| ^ proceeded in all haste to inform Kiang Tze-ya
U| ^f- 5JS of the danger which threatened them on all sides. The 4
Great Generals of the Genii, said he, who have encamped
near the
North gate of the city, are most powerful warriors, versed in all the
secrets of magic, and skilful in the use of mysterious charms, hence
it is feared we may be unable to withstand the shock of their arms.
The eldest of these powerful genii is called Mo Li-ts'ing jf| ^
^if (2). He stands 24 feet high, carries a magic lance (3), and
is wont to fight on foot. His features resemble those of a crab, and
the hairs of his beard are like brazen spikes. On his magic lance,
known as the "Blue Cloud", are inscribed the words: earth, water,
fire, wind, Ti-shui, hwo-fung J-jjj 7J\ J^. When he wields it, a vio-
lent storm is produced (4),
which dashes down and crushes whatever
it encounters on its way. This famous weapon also causes fire, and
fills the air with fiery snakes, or on striking the ground produces
a column of dense smoke, which blinds and consumes the enemy's
troops. There are no means of evading these terrible scourges.
The second is called Mo Li-hung J| jj|| fl- He holds in his
hand a magic umbrella (5), adornea with gems, precious stones, and
(1) All that follows is a mere tale of the genii, and hence devoid of any
historical value with reference to the origin and evolution of these fanciful
kings.
(2) Mo $|, a malignant spirit, a devil, a demon. It enters into the
composition of the word Mara, the Buddhist god of lust, sin and death.
Taoists seem to have made of him a kind of genius. Williams. Dictionary
of the Chinese Languague.
(3) See Illustration n° 85, where he is represented as a fierce, black
monster, with lance in hand.
(4) As an elemental god, his function seems especially to rule the winds
and produce storms.
(5) See Illustration n° 86, where he is represented in full armour, and
bearing in his hands his famous umbrella. Buddhists represent him also
with the same symbol. Chinese Superstitions. Vol. VII. p. 397. — Edkins.
Chinese Buddhism, p. 240.— Hackmann. Buddhism as a Religion, p. 215.