The Spirit Marshals, or Lingguan, are revered Daoist guardian deities who serve as divine protectors of sacred…
The Spirit Marshals, or Lingguan, are revered Daoist guardian deities who serve as divine protectors of sacred rites. Tradition speaks of Five Hundred Lingguans, but the most renowned among them all is Wang Lingguan. With a blazing third eye on his forehead, he discerns truth from falsehood and sees the good and wicked alike. Some scriptures identify Wang Lingguan as Wang Shan, a historical figure from the Song dynasty under Emperor Huizong. Others trace him back to Wang E of the Tang dynasty.