A wonderful large size antique hand-painted painting of a Daoist immortal in full costume. His name is “Wang-Ling-Guan”, probably the most famous protecting god in Daoism. There are many protecting gods or immortals in both Buddhism and Daoism. Wang-Ling-Guan is usually placed at the first main hall in a Daoist temple after entering the temple. He is said to be able to protect the Daoist religion, other Daoist gods, the temple, and even worshipers.

To make it short, he originally was said to be a small god from some unknown temple, and he devoured virgin boys and girls. Then, he was burned by another Daoist god “Sa-Zhen-Ren”, but did not get killed. Instead, he got the third eye (of fire). Eventually, he followed “Sa-Zhen-Ren”as his teacher and was made into a good powerful god instead of a bad one.

He usually appears, in the painting or sculpture, with a third eye of wisdom, one hand holding a whip, while his feet riding on a wheel of fire. As far as the artist who painted this painting, we do not know, because there is no signature on it which is common for folk painting.

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