Qianliyan

How to recognise Qianliyan

1. Hand raised to the browHis right hand is lifted to his forehead as if gazing far into the distance, the gesture that tells him apart from Shunfeng'er, who cups a hand to his ear.
2. Green skinIn most Taiwanese temples Qianliyan is green and Shunfeng'er is red, though some temples, such as Beigang Chaotian Temple, reverse the colours.
3. Large, bright eyesHis round, shining eyes show that his power is sight; the Fengshen Yanyi describes them as bright as golden lamps.
4. Fierce faceHe usually has a wide mouth, tusk-like teeth and one or more horns, though some temples, such as Baishatun Gongtian Temple, show him with an open mouth and a human-looking face.
5. HalberdHe often holds a fangtian huaji (方天畫戟), a long pole with a spear point and a crescent blade, but sources differ on which general carries it, so it is not a fixed mark.
6. Warrior's dressHe wears flowing garments or open armour, with sashes, golden armbands and often a tiger-skin at the waist, and in Taiwan sometimes a golden fillet on the head; some temples instead dress him in an official's cap and court robes holding a gold ingot.
7. Place beside MazuIn Taiwan he usually stands on Mazu's left, the worshipper's right, while Hong Kong sources place him on the worshipper's right and a few temples reverse the order.

Names and titles

• Thousand-Mile EyeThe literal meaning of his name: sight that reaches a thousand li, a Chinese idiom for any great distance
• Far-Seeing GuardianHis keen sight spots danger and distress on the sea and in fog or bad weather
• Watcher Through the FogHis sight is said to pierce fog, mist and darkness to protect sailors
• Guardian at Mazu's LeftIn Taiwan he stands at Mazu's left, with Shunfeng'er on her right
• From Mischief to GuardianA once-troublesome spirit, subdued by Mazu, became her loyal general

Feast days

• Birthday of the Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er Generals (千順將軍聖誕)7th day of the 4th lunar month (next: 11 May 2027)

  The birthday of Mazu's two guardian generals, Qianliyan ('Thousand-Mile Eye') and Shunfeng'er ('Fair-Wind Ear'). Devotees honour them as a pair at Beigang Chaotian Temple and at temples that took incense from it.

  How it's celebrated. Dates differ by temple and are not in the almanac. At Yuque Chaoren Temple in Wuri, Taichung, devotees keep the seventh day of the fourth lunar month, a date learned from Beigang's guardian-general troupe. A chanting group recites sutras, and the altar is filled with chicken drumsticks (said to be the generals' favourite), longevity peaches and noodles. Devotees also give thanksgiving puppet shows.

  Sources: NOWnews: 媽祖座前護法千順將軍 聖誕日在哪天？ · China Times: 北港莊儀團登錄民俗保存者

• Mazu's Birthday (媽祖聖誕)23rd day of the 3rd lunar month (next: 28 April 2027)

  The birthday of the sea goddess Mazu, one of the most widely kept festivals of her devotees. Her guardian generals, Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er, stand beside her and are honoured with her.

  How it's celebrated. Temples and devotees keep the day with pilgrimages, processions and worship. At Beigang Chaotian Temple, the 'Welcoming Mazu' procession comes just beforehand, and the guardian-general troupe walks with her processions. In Singapore, Thian Hock Keng's procession carries Mazu in her sedan chair accompanied by the two generals.

  Sources: Taiwan Panorama: The Taiwanese Camino: Mazu Pilgrimages · Ministry of Culture (Taiwan): Beigang Chaotian Temple · BiblioAsia (NLB): Mazu Worship in Singapore