Xiaotian Quan
Xiaotian Quan (Chinese: 哮天犬; lit. 'Sky Barking Hound'), also known as Howling Celestial Dog, is a Chinese mythological beast and companion of the Chinese god Erlang Shen. Depicted as a white dog, it assists Erlang Shen in battle by using its powerful bite and howl to attack, maul, or subdue demons. Qiaotian Quan appears in Journey to the West, Fengshen Yanyi, and other legends about Erlang Shen, such as Lotus Lantern and several Chinese folktales.[1][2]
Legends[edit]
According to folklore, before Erlang Shen became a deity, he encountered a stray dog on the street. Feeling a strong connection with the dog, Erlang Shen decided to bring it along with him. During his cultivation, Erlang Shen also taught the dog some spells. The dog was deeply grateful for Erlang Shen's recognition and care, remaining fiercely loyal to him. Although they appeared to have a master-servant relationship, in their hearts, they were already family, transcending mere species. The dog, later known as Xiaotian Quan, accompanied Erlang Shen in slaying demons and vanquishing evil. Xiaotian Quan is inseparable from Erlang Shen's legend, and as such, temples dedicated to Erlang Shen often also enshrine him.[3]
Xiaotian Quan first appeared in Gan Bao's In Search of the Supernatural.[4]
In the Chinese folktale of Lotus Lantern, Xiaotian Quan is the one who obstructs Liu Chenxiang from splitting Mount Hua to rescue his mother Huayue Sanniang.[5]
In the novel Investiture of the Gods, Yang Jian (assumed to be Erlang) sometimes sends his dog to bite his enemies.[6][7]
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In the novel Journey to the West, Xiaotian Quan helps Erlang fight Sun Wukong, preventing him from escaping by biting him in the leg. Later in Chapter 63, Sun Wukong, Erlang, and their companions battle against the Nine-Headed Prince when the dog defeats the enemy biting off one of monster's retractable heads. The prince then flees, choking on his own blood. Erlang lets him go and predicts he'll drown in his own blood.[8]
Xiaotian Quan is often identified with the primordial heavenly dog called Tiangou. In ancient times, with limited scientific understanding, solar and lunar eclipses were attributed to Tiangou's mischievous actions. During such celestial events, common folk would traditionally beat drums and gongs to drive away Tiangou. Even today, the saying "Tiangou eats the moon or sun" persists in popular culture.[9]
There is also a legend that after Hou Yi shot down nine suns to save humanity, the Queen Mother of the West rewarded him with an elixir of immortality. His wife, Chang'e, unable to bear the suffering of the mortal world, stole and consumed the elixir, ascending to the heavens alone. Hou Yi's black dog witnessed this and licked the remaining elixir, chasing after Chang'e. Hearing the dog's bark, Chang'e hastily hid in the moon. The dog, enraged, grew in size and swallowed the moon whole. Upon learning of this, the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West ordered the heavenly soldiers and generals to capture the black dog. Recognizing it as Hou Yi's hunting dog, the Queen Mother bestowed upon it the title of "Heavenly Dog" (Tiangou) and tasked it with guarding the Southern Gate of Heaven. The dog then released both the moon and Chang'e. After being honored, the Heavenly Dog became the divine beast of Erlang Shen, earning the name "Howling Celestial Dog" (Xiaotian Quan), assisting Erlang Shen in slaying demons and monsters.[9]
In the Legend of the Jade Emperor, at the end of the story, after the war, everyone was granted titles by the Jade Emperor, except for Xiaotian Quan. Feeling wronged, Xiaotian Quan swallowed the sun and moon in two bites, plunging the sky into darkness. The Jade Emperor sent someone to investigate and discovered it was Xiaotian Quan. He then ordered Erlang Shen to capture the dog and bring him back to be punished.[10]
In the Peking opera titled An Tianhui (安天會), Xiaotian Quan is depicted as Liu Tianjun (劉天君), with a red face divided into three sections like tiles. In the opera Nao Tiangong (鬧天宮), Liu Tianjun is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, a Taoist deity who can summon wind and rain. The red, three-sectioned face represents his loyalty and bravery, with thunder and fire patterns drawn on his forehead.[11]
The Interactive Encyclopedia states that Xiaotian Quang appeared in the Yuan dynasty zaju titled Erlang Shen Locks Up the Great Sage Equaling Heaven by an anonymous author. The play contains the following line:[12]
"With the True Lord's golden bullet, slender hound, and three-pointed double-edged sword, where can he escape to?"
Therefore, some scholars believe that Xiaotian Quan belongs to the Chinese Xigou (slender dog) breed.[13] It is said that a large Tibetan dog breed Tibetan Mastiff is the descendant of Xiaotian Quan.[9]
According to Chinese historian Zhang Zhenglang's research, the prototype of Xiaotian Quan is the divine rat beside Dujian, the second son of the Northern Heavenly King Vaishravana. Dujian is identified with Erlang Shen by a later Buddhist source.[14]
Proverb[edit]
According to folklore, Lü Dongbin had a conflict with Erlang Shen. As a result, Erlang Shen's divine dog, Xiaotian Quan, harbored a deep animosity towards Lü Dongbin. Once, when Xiaotian Quan fell into the mortal realm and was captured by humans, destined for slaughter at a dog meat shop, Lü Dongbin happened to pass by and rescue him. However, instead of gratitude, Xiaotian Quan, remembering his master's grudge, bit Lü Dongbin. This incident gave rise to the proverb, '狗咬呂洞賓——不識好人心' ("A dog bites Lü Dongbin—to fail to see the heart of a good person; to bite the hand that feeds you").[15]
Worship[edit]
Xiaotian Quan is enshrined in many temples dedicated to Erlang Shen. In a temple in Malaysia, the statue of Xiaotian Quan closely resembles that of a German shepherd, which has angered many people due to the misleading representation.[16]
The Yang Qiaotou Hall Temple in Haichang, Penang Island, is the only temple dedicated to Xiaotian Quan as a main deity.[17]
Due to Xiaotian Quan's image and its status as an animal deity, many believers who have pets at home specifically visit Erlang Shen temples to pray to Xiaotian Quan for their pets' health. Sometimes, before a pet undergoes surgery due to injury or illness, people also pray to Xiaotian Quan for a successful operation. Nowadays, some temples provide amulets specifically for pets, which owners can obtain. In addition to seeking amulets, Xiaotian Quan is worshipped for protection for their pets.[3]
The Yingyuan Temple in Taiwan enshrines Xiaotian Quan under the title "General Tiangu". Recognizing the loyal service of this divine beast, the temple has sculpted a special statue for worship, making it a rare guardian deity for pets. Founded in 1734, the Yingyuan Temple is primarily dedicated to Erlang Shen.[18]
In popular culture[edit]
The Song and Jin dynasties coins depict Xiaotian Quana, alongside his lord Erlang Shen.[19]
Film and TV series[edit]
- Portrayed by Chen Chuang in 2009 Chinese series Prelude of Lotus Lantern
References[edit]
- ^ 陜西民間故事集 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 遠流出版. 1989. ISBN 978-957-32-0066-6.
- ^ 八仙得道傳 (in Chinese). 飛翔時代. 1 January 1931.
- ^ a b Yifang, Lian (8 November 2019). "寵物開刀別擔心！到廟裡找哮天犬求平安". Now News (in Chinese).
- ^ 中国戏曲志: 黑龙江卷 (in Chinese). 中国 Isbn 中心. 1994. ISBN 978-7-5076-0052-0.
- ^ 神话传奇 (in Chinese). 青苹果数据中心. 27 January 2014.
- ^ 封神演义 (in Chinese). Beijing Book Co. Inc. 1 September 2019. ISBN 978-7-5455-4857-0.
- ^ 封神演义（中国古典文学名著） (in Chinese). 青苹果数据中心. 20 December 2013.
- ^ 嬉戲西遊 (in Chinese). 博益出版集團有限公司. 1983.
- ^ a b c "哮天犬食日天狗 二郎神神獸 - 大公報". Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group (in Chinese). 29 September 2009.
- ^ 玉皇大帝的传说 (in Chinese). 花山文艺出版社. 1995. ISBN 978-7-80611-252-6.
- ^ 學京劇‧畫京劇：百變臉譜 (in Chinese). 崧燁文化. 8 December 2022. ISBN 978-626-332-972-0.
- ^ 明人雜劇選 (in Chinese). 人民文學出版社. 1958.
- ^ 孤本元明雜劇 (in Chinese). 商務印書館. 1941.
- ^ "第四部分 二郎传说头绪多（3）". Sohu Book. 張政烺. 18 December 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-12-18.
- ^ 台灣俗語諺語辭典(精) (in Chinese). 五南圖書出版股份有限公司. 1 July 2022. ISBN 978-626-317-913-4.
- ^ "小狗斗"神兽"？雪纳瑞犬狂吠哮天犬". 中國報 China Press (in Chinese (China)). 13 April 2024.
- ^ "檳姓楊橋頭會堂宮供奉 哮天犬號斬妖除魔". 光明日报 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 14 February 2018.
- ^ "番仔寮應元宮天狗將軍 毛孩守護神 | 中華日報|中華新聞雲". China Daily News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 8 January 2021.
- ^ "二郎神在历史演变中不是特定人". Sina Collect (in Chinese). 6 April 2016.