Malaysia / China: Carving of Huang Feihu, depicting his role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Huang Feihu, originally known as Prince Wucheng of the Shang Dynasty, was a fictional character from the Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. Born to a family of officials who had served the Shang Dynasty for seven generations, Huang Feihu was granted the title of 'Prince Wucheng Who Guards the Kingdom', while his younger sister was a concubine of cruel King Zhou of Shang.

King Zhou, corrupted and bewitched by the vixen spirit Su Daji, starts to lust after Huang Feihu's wife, Lady Jia. He tries to rape her, but Lady Jia commits suicide to preserve her dignity. Consort Huang, Huang Feihu's sister, scolds King Zhou for his wicked ways, resulting in him throwing her off Zhaixing Tower to her death in anger. When Huang Feihu learns the truth, he defects to the vassal state of Xiqi, precursor of the Zhou Dynasty, bringing along his family and followers.

When Ji Fa, the future King Wu of Zhou, leads a campaign to overthrow the Shang Dynasty, Huang Feihu fights under him in various battles. He is eventually killed during the Battle of Mianchi at the hands of General Zhang Kui. The sage Jiang Ziya deifies him at the end of the novel, making him the leader of the rulers of the Five Sacred Mountains, tasked with overseeing the fate and fortunes of mortals, as well as watching over the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Anandajoti

Credit:

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