Qing Dynasty Fa Zhu Gong #3 Heavenly Marshal Zhang Taoist Deity Wood Gold Gilt

Qing Dynasty Fa Zhu Gong #3 Heavenly Marshal Zhang Venerated Taoist Deity Hardcarved Solid Wood Gold Gilt 19thc

            Statue’s   Measurement

              Height                                               10” inches (25.4 cm)

              Base Width                                         6” inches (15.2 cm)

              Base Depth                                         5” inches (12.7 cm)

Here is Zhang Gong Fa Zhu Gong Sheng Jun, born on 23rd day of the 7th lunar month of 1139 AD as Zhang Ci Guan ( 张慈观 ) aka Zi Guan ( 子 观 ), aka Zhang Sha ( 张沙 ), in a village of Yong Tai ( 永泰 ), Lord Zhang ( 张公圣君 ), also known as Fa Zhu Gong or Master of the Way ( 法主公 ), is, to simplify a long legend, a Taoist mystic warrior who through years achieving mastery of the martial arts and the art of Taoism is able to accomplish amazing feats, ranging from slaying demons to healing the sick and has attained deity hood after a long list of exploits and deeds that revolved around assisting the people in the many villages throughout the land. And after each accomplishment the villagers would venerate him for his good works. Throughout his life he learned the way of Taoism, mysticism and the highest level of martial arts.  His skin is permanently blackened from a fight with fire-wielding demons; the cobra wrapped around his arm is the transformation of a 30-foot magical serpent that he subdued and turned into his pet. Whenever needed, he can transform the serpent into a ritual whip, which can dispel any evil, particularly evil spirits that have possessed people. The legend of Lord Zhang gave rise to the use of this as a special ritual item, based on his cobra - the fa suo ( 法索 ) or ritual whip, shaped to look like a Cobra. If a ritual is to be performed in an area, the medium will crack the whip in or around the relevant space to dispel evil and bless the place as a form of preparation. The whip is considered to be a sentient being, and is treated with appropriate respect.

This is a wonderful Temple quality rendition of Fa Zhu Gong. He is in pretty good condition considering his age with all of his original hair and with minimal condition issues. There is a hairline crack at the base from the solid piece of carved wood aging, you can see in the picture of the base it occurs at a natural check in the wood, radiates slightly at the robe you can see by his right foot. He has lost his weapon along the way. He has the gesture of Karana - Banishing & Expelling Negativity mudra for his left hand, the tip of his pinkie is missing. He is at the height of Chinese Folk Religion with elements of his throne animistic creatures each with animated spirits. He is ornately embellished in his dragon robe edged with the emperors colors along the base. Fa Chu Kong is venerated for preventing or curing sickness, destroying evil spirits and even creating favorable weather (rain during drought, sunshine during flooding). This particular carving is very old from the Qing period and dates we believe to late 1800’s to early 1900’s. He is detailed with intricate metal filigree. His cobra pet wraps around his arm. Always interesting to study the treatment of the throne, this has nice hand painted scroll details really a pleasure to meditate on. His feet rest on symbolic wheels that represent his ability to ride the clouds. He has an incense patina you can see some colors have become muted.The finish has some wear the condition is a reflection of the age. This is a 10” tall 6” wide by 5” deep solid wood carving. This Taoist statue is part of our large collection (I have included a group photo some of the statues I’m listing) we have gathered after a lifetime of looking. The iconography is superb the execution traditional and the skill at the highest level. This is an authentic temple quality rendition of the Taoist Deity Fa Zhu Gong known as a kind benefactor and protector.  I included some of the many adventures in his life (where he is referred to as Ci Quan) found on a blog below. Email with any questions or if you require any additional photographs.

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Origin:

The spelling of different deities can vary in the English language because the translation is phonetic and the pronunciation and subsequent spelling varies.

Tales from the illustrious life of Fa Zhu Gong

1142 AD, Ci Guan, 3 years  old. One day, his father (De Ren) was traveling in a remote mountain path and was confronted by a demon. At the critical moment, a child spirit appeared and chased the demon away, thus saving De Ren.  De Ren was so grateful but he didn't realize that the child spirit was actually his son (Ci Guan).

1143 AD Ci Guan age 5. At that time, his father (De Ren) was very sick, in fact bedridden. Ci Guan stayed by his side all day long, preparing and brewing herbal medicines continuously. His loving care touches his father. Unfortunately, his father passed away.  And Ci Guan mourned for three years.After his father ‘s death Ci Guan worked, due to his family poverty , on his auntie's  farm planting vegetables for his daily bread, He toiled on the farm for several years. This was indeed a hardship for a 5 year old boy.   Ci Guan stayed with his auntie and his brother nephew. They labored in the fields together and although they are very poor and life is tough, they lived happily together.   Due to their poverty, Ci Guan's mother remarried and handed Ci Guan to the care of a distant relative. Ci Guan's was accepted by Taoist master Zhou Zou and learned martial arts at night while working in the day.

1148 AD Ci Guan now age 10. Ci Guan worked in the village of Panjiaoyang in Yongtai. One day, he ventured to a mountain in search of wood. In the depth of the forest, he saw two Sages/Immortals playing chess. They looked alike and were dressed in Taoist high priest robes. Beside the chess board there was a big peach half red / half green. Ci Guan approaches and observes the game with interest. The Sage offers the peach to Ci Guan. After eating half of the peach, Ci Guan quietly discarded the other half peach of the peach because it didn’t taste very good. On seeing this one of the Sages immediately tells Ci Guan to leave. Ci Guan journeys home, carrying the day-collected wood. On the way, he rested at a pavilion. Nearby, there was a temple, Geng Yi Ting where there lived a famous Taoist High priest by the name of Master Fang Long Shu. Ci Guan consulted with this Master telling him what had happened in the forest. Master Fang Long Shu then explained that these two Sages/Immortals were actually Tai Shang Lao Jun and Yuan Shi Tian Cun. And the half red half / green peach was a three thousand year old heavenly peach!  If you (Ci Guan) had completely eaten the whole peach you would have gained deity hood and would able to ride the cloud (that is, travel/fly on a cloud). However, since you only ate half of the peach, you (Ci Guan) would have to cultivate and practice longer and do more good deeds to alleviate human suffering and exterminating devils and demons. Ci Guan then asked the Master how he could meet these two Immortals again. Ci Guan then begged the Master: I wish to go back to these two Sages/Immortals. Can you please assist me? The Master said: Tai Shang Lao Cun has already ascended to heaven. Yuan Shi Tian Cun resides in the Purple cloud pavilion also in heaven. You're still a human and yet can't ride the cloud. So how can you find them? However, the Master then advised him that on the 16th day of the 8th lunar Month, you and your two brothers (Xiao Ming) of Xian You and Zhang Min (of JiuDu), must go to Yang Jiao Zhou, Fuzhou and wait there. When you see a boat in the middle of the river, the three of you can ride this magic boat which will take you to Lv shan to learn and practice Taoist skills and martial arts and culture. After which, you three will achieve deity hood and will reach the heavens. In 1150 AD, Ci Guan now age 12. One day, the weather suddenly changed drastically. The sky darkened and strong winds blew. The three brothers decided to leave the mountain to investigate. On the way, the whole forest suddenly went up in flames, the river boiled and rose violently. In the mist of all this, a huge python appeared in the distance. The three brothers concentrate and focus on this thing and realize that it is a crow-faced deity that was causing all the disturbances. Then they realized that it's the coming of the Heavenly Master. The Heavenly Master instructed: Ci Guan, you must go help capture the devilish demon. Zhang Min, Xiao Ming, you two have other assignments. Thus the three brothers departed to go their separate ways. Ci Guan requested for a protective treasure. The Heavenly Master advised: Your wood cutting tools are your protective treasures. It will protect you against any evil spirits. Ci Guan bowed, thanking the Heavenly Master and took his leave, hastily returning to the chaotic and troubled human world.  On the way, Ci Guan reached a mystic island where he saw two hemp ropes on the path. The two hemp ropes suddenly turn into two long snakes. One of them quietly stole away. Ci Guan quickly seized it but it quickly coiled rounded his neck. With his magical skill learned from his Heavenly Master, he finally managed to control the snake. Various magical colors radiated in its eyes and a loud breathing sound can be heard from a distance. The snake suddenly became a precious protective weapon. (This is why there's always a snake coiled around one of his hands).

1155 AD: Age 17 Ci Guan again found a job in the village of Yongtai. In February, Taoist Master Zhou of Mount Lv came to visit him and teach him various advanced talisman skills and Taoist skills. In March, Ji Guan helped the people of WuTong village plant the rice. The village womenfolk provided daily meals. They cooked earthworms with red wine to serve with the cooked rice. Ci Guan decided to save the earthworms. He used his chopstick to pick the earthworms one by one and placed them in the drain and chanted a life-giving/reincarnation spell. Slowly but surely, the cooked earthworms come to life and began swimming again in the drain. This created a new species of red colored earthworms in Yongtai. This is the legend of the famous red colored earthworms of Yongtai. This special type of earthworm still carries a distinguishing mark at its midpoint which is said to be the place where Ji Guan used his chopstick to pick them up.

1156 AD Ci Guan age 18. It was August when Ci Guan returned to Mount Lv's Bai Yun Tang where he further improved on this magical skills and martial arts from the High Priest, Master Gong Long Shu. Master Gong Long Shu taught him a special magical skill, known as Wu Lei Tian Xing fa (Five Thunder Heaven Heart spell). And this was when he was also given a very powerful seven-star sword. Ci Guan quickly paid his due respects and left to continue on a life-saving mission. 

He visited his sworn brother Xiao Ming at Xian You. They set off together. They both learned very fast and are now very well advanced in their respective skills and arts. On their way, they meet Zhang Ming. The three of them became sworn brothers. At that time, Zhang Ming was 26 of age, Ji Guan 18 of age and Xiao Min 16 of age. The three of them set off to Fu Zhou village of Yang Jiao Zhou, as instructed by Master Lung Shu (where they were transported by a magical boat to Jiangxi Lu Shan to further their instruction in their magical skills.)

1171 AD. Ci Guan age 33. In the village of Ming Zhong Ke, it rained heavily for the past thirty three days with thunder and lighting flashing non stop. The noise irritated the Jade Emperor and He decreed that Lei Gong is to stop making anymore thunder noise. Unfortunately, Lei Gong can't read, thus he asked Zhang Gong (Ci Guan) to read the decree. Zhang Gong had also been taught the thunder making skills. He used this skill to speak to Lei Gong, saying: Zhang Gong supervises Lei Gong! Zhang Gong then immediately instructed Lei Gong to stop all the thunder. Lei Gong was then known as the one who stopped all the chaos. When the Jade Emperor found out, He then conferred Zhang Gong the title of "The Controller of Thunder".

1172 AD Ci Guan age 34.There was a chaos and upheaval in the village of Fu Qing. A huge red monstrous snake was creating havoc and fears in western Fu Qing. This monster likes to swallow whole pigs, cows and goats (all prize assets of the villagers).When Ci Guan heard of this, he quickly rushed to the place. Upon his arrival, the huge monster snake was creating huge waves (from its movement). It was very nasty and fierce. Ci Guan jumped onto the snake and ought it with his magical skills.After subduing this monster, he slowly skinned the snake and made protective armor out of it. Later the villagers also realized that Ci Guan was the same person that had cured all the villagers of Fu Tian. The villagers hence fore addressed Ci Guan as Zhang En Gong, meaning: kind benefactor. 1177 AD. Ci Guan age 39. Ci Guan's cultivation is now at a new level. He was able to ride cloud (i.e travel on a cloud).   Ci Guan worked tirelessly without any demand for rewards. His philanthropic spirit had the respects and admiration of millions of folks 1182 AD. Ci Guan age 44. It’s June.  Ci Guan was traveling in Ming jian preaching the Tao of karma - Causes and Effects. He discovered that this mortal world was full of evil and wrong doings. He summaries it with the saying : “There will be repercussions for all evils. There will be rewards for all good deeds.” Ci Guan also preaches the philosophy of Taoism. Ci Guan also builds a small pavilion near the Jinsa Bridge for the conveniences of the travelers. Meanwhile, Ci Guan continued his missions and also spread the teaching of Taoism far and wide, endlessly. Eventually, he returned to Shi Nui Tong for the winter.

1183 AD. Ci Guan age 45. Ci Guan's skills are now beyond comparison and he had attained deity hood. Having fully completed and accomplished a lifetime of learning and protective missions he ascended to Heaven from Jiu Long Tan, a waterfall at the foot of Shi Niu Shan.  Jiu Long Tan is on the northeastern foot of Shi Nui Shan. It about 20-li away from Shi Hu Dian (Zhang  Gong  Fa  Zhu  zu  dian).