Gods & Deities
One of Malaysia’s Oldest and Most Revered Temples.
The main shrine of the temple is a sacred and spiritually significant space, thoughtfully structured into three main sections: the central altar, the left wing, and the right wing. Each section is dedicated to distinct celestial beings in Taoism and plays a specific role in the temple’s divine hierarchy and ritual practices.
Central Altar: Honoring Dou Mu Yuan Jun and the Nine Emperor Gods
At the very heart of the temple stands the central altar, the sacred focal point of spiritual reverence and cosmic alignment. This altar is not simply a place of worship—it is the axis around which the temple’s spiritual life revolves, embodying the connection between Heaven, Earth, and humanity. At its center resides Dou Mu Yuan Jun (斗母元君), the revered Celestial Mother of the Big Dipper and a supreme figure in Taoist cosmology. She is deeply honored as the divine mother of the Nine Emperor Gods (九皇大帝), celestial rulers believed to govern the stars and maintain cosmic order, health, and purification. As a maternal deity, Dou Mu Yuan Jun represents compassion, protection, and the nurturing forces of the universe. Her importance is especially highlighted during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, celebrated in the ninth lunar month with acts of devotion such as ritual purification, vegetarianism, and solemn processions. This festival is seen as a time of spiritual renewal and a rebalancing of cosmic energies, guided by her benevolent presence.
Standing guard over this sacred space is Wang Ling Guan, the formidable Heavenly Marshal. He is instantly recognizable with his blazing red face, fierce expression, and the third eye on his forehead symbolizing heightened spiritual insight. Armed with a flaming sword, Wang Ling Guan is known for his fierce loyalty and incorruptible righteousness. As a guardian deity, his primary role is to protect the temple grounds, ward off malevolent spirits, and enforce the moral and spiritual integrity of the sacred space. His presence at the central altar underscores the critical Taoist principle that compassion and order must be safeguarded by vigilance and strength. To devotees, he represents the spiritual warrior who defends both the divine law and the faithful from unseen threats.
Surrounding Dou Mu Yuan Jun on the central altar are several other highly venerated deities, each bringing their unique spiritual virtues and celestial roles. Among them is Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa (观世音菩萨), known in Mahayana Buddhism as Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. She is beloved for her ability to hear the cries of suffering beings and to respond with boundless mercy. Her presence at the altar reflects the integration of Buddhist compassion into Taoist practice, reminding worshippers of the importance of empathy, kindness, and spiritual salvation. Another key figure is Guan Sheng Di Jun, the deified form of the historical general Guan Yu, flanked by his loyal son Guan Ping and faithful aide Zhou Cang. Revered for his loyalty, martial valor, and unwavering righteousness, Guan Yu serves as a symbol of moral integrity and heroic virtue, appealing especially to those seeking justice and ethical guidance in life.
Presiding above all celestial beings is Yu Huang Da Di, the Jade Emperor, who occupies the highest throne in Taoist cosmology. As the sovereign ruler of Heaven and Earth, he commands all gods and spirits and dispenses divine justice and cosmic order. His enshrinement at the central altar affirms the temple’s alignment with heavenly law and the supreme authority of the celestial hierarchy. Complementing his role is Wei Tuo Pu Sa, a fierce protector bodhisattva known for defending temples and the spiritual teachings contained within them. Often portrayed as a youthful warrior in armor, Wei Tuo symbolizes alertness, strength, and the vigilant protection of sacred spaces and traditions.
Another significant deity found on the central altar is Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai, the commanding form of Ne Zha, a youthful and powerful warrior deity. Known for his fiery spirit and fearless battle against injustice, Ne Zha is often depicted wielding a spear and riding his iconic Wind-Fire Wheels. Despite his youthful appearance, he commands great spiritual authority and is revered for his unwavering defense of righteousness and truth. His presence on the central altar reinforces the values of courage, moral conviction, and energetic spiritual resistance against evil.
Altogether, the central altar represents more than a collection of revered figures; it is a carefully constructed microcosm of the Taoist universe. Each deity embodies a facet of the cosmic order; compassion, protection, loyalty, righteousness, wisdom, and divine authority interwoven into a spiritual tapestry that aligns the earthly with the celestial. To stand before this altar is to enter a sacred dialogue with the cosmos, to seek guidance, protection, and inspiration, and to reaffirm one’s path in harmony with the will of Heaven. This altar is not only the heart of the temple it is the living embodiment of divine presence and the ever-watchful eyes of the celestial realm.
Left Wing Altar: Devotion to Nan Dou Xing Jun and Southern Celestial Protectors
To the left of the temple’s central sanctuary stands the left-wing altar, a sacred space infused with celestial energy and divine protection. This altar is dedicated primarily to the Nan Dou Xing Jun (南斗星君), the Lords of the Southern Dipper constellation. In Taoist cosmology and celestial theology, the Southern Dipper plays a complementary and balancing role to the Northern Dipper (Bei Dou). While the Northern Dipper governs death, fate, and retribution, the Southern Dipper presides over life, fortune, health, and the positive aspects of human destiny. Together, they form an inseparable duality in Taoist astrology, representing the cosmic forces that regulate the human lifespan from birth to death. The Nan Dou deities are particularly invoked for blessings of longevity, good fortune, and harmonious living. Their position on the left wing of the temple signifies their life-affirming nature bringing light, vitality, and celestial guidance to devotees who seek divine intervention in health, wellness, and the unfolding of destiny.
Presiding over this sacred altar is the majestic figure of Bao Sheng Da Di, known as the Great Emperor Who Protects Life. One of the most widely venerated deities in southern Chinese Taoism, Bao Sheng Da Di is considered a divine physician and guardian of human health. His worship is rooted in a historical figure Wu Tao of the Song Dynasty who was later deified due to his extraordinary medical skill and compassion. Over time, his image evolved into that of a celestial healer, holding instruments such as a gourd of elixirs, a herbal scroll, or surgical tools, each symbolizing his dominion over disease, recovery, and longevity. His presence at the altar reflects the temple’s function not only as a center of spiritual worship but also as a sanctuary of healing, where the faithful come to seek relief from illness and guidance for both physical and spiritual well-being. Devotees offer prayers and incense in the hope that Bao Sheng Da Di will grant them protection from afflictions, success in healing, and an extended, harmonious life.
Surrounding the Great Emperor is a pantheon of martial and benevolent deities, forming a divine retinue that reinforces the themes of protection, balance, and prosperity. Among them is Heavenly Marshal Lei , also known as Lei Gong, the Thunder Marshal. A powerful enforcer of divine justice, Lei Yuan Shuai is believed to wield thunder and lightning to subdue demons, evil spirits, and those who act with malice or deceit. His thunderous presence serves not only as a celestial enforcer but also as a cleanser of spiritual impurities, symbolizing the dramatic and purifying force of nature that restores moral and cosmic order. Alongside him is Heavenly Marshal Kang, another protective figure often called upon to guard the temple and defend the righteous. While less prominent in popular folklore than Lei Gong, Marshal Kang’s role is no less vital, he represents the steady, vigilant aspect of celestial guardianship, the watchful protector who maintains spiritual discipline and order within the sacred precincts.
Adding to the altar’s formidable aura is the commanding presence of Xuan Wu Da Di , the Dark Warrior Emperor, also known as Zhen Wu Da Di. A deity of immense power, Xuan Wu is revered for his associations with the north, the element of water, martial strength, and spiritual purification. Traditionally depicted with a tortoise and serpent symbolic of endurance, transformation, and alchemical balance. Xuan Wu is a protector against both spiritual and physical threats. His mythic narrative tells of overcoming internal demons and achieving transcendence, making him a symbol of triumph through discipline, inner strength, and perseverance. Within the temple, his presence lends an air of solemnity and sacred power, inspiring worshippers to confront their own inner obstacles and walk the path of righteousness.
In contrast to the stern martial guardians, the altar also enshrines the cheerful and benevolent Shang Cai Tong Zi, the Good Fortune Boy, who brings joy, wealth, and auspicious blessings. Often portrayed as a youthful attendant bearing ingots or symbols of prosperity, this deity represents the abundant, life-giving energies that flow through the universe when one lives in harmony with Heaven’s will. His presence at the left altar softens the intensity of the martial figures and offers a hopeful reminder that spiritual devotion can also yield material rewards and joyful outcomes.
Prominently featured as well is the dynamic figure of Ne Zha, one of the most beloved warrior deities in Chinese folklore and Taoist tradition. Known for his rebellious spirit, youthful energy, and fierce devotion to justice, Ne Zha is a deity who defies convention and confronts evil with unmatched ferocity. His iconography is easily recognizable: a fiery spear, a Universe Ring, and his Wind-Fire Wheels, upon which he flies through the skies in defense of the innocent. Though young in age, Ne Zha’s spiritual authority is immense, embodying the defiant courage needed to resist oppression and falsehood. In many temples, Ne Zha is also honored under the title San Tai Zi “Third Prince” a reference to his divine lineage as the third son of Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. In some traditions, San Tai Zi may refer to other divine princely figures as well, though in this context, it is most often understood as another form of Ne Zha. His inclusion at the altar emphasizes bravery, moral conviction, and the youthful power of transformation.
Altogether, the left-wing altar stands as a celebration of life in its fullness its vitality, its challenges, and its rewards. It embodies Taoism’s deep respect for the interplay between cosmic forces that govern not only the length of life but also its quality and purpose. This altar is a sanctuary for those who seek to be protected from harm, healed from illness, and blessed with health, prosperity, and spiritual strength. The deities enshrined here, from Bao Sheng Da Di’s gentle healing hand to Ne Zha’s fiery resolve, from the thunderous might of Lei Gong to the steady gaze of Xuan Wu, form a complete and harmonious constellation of divine influences. They stand together as guardians of the living, protectors of destiny, and guides on the path of balance, reminding every visitor that life itself is sacred, and that within the embrace of the temple, one walks under the protection and blessing of the stars.
Right Wing Altar: Devotion to Bei Dou Xing Jun and Celestial Warriors
Positioned on the right side of the temple’s sacred triad stands the right-wing altar, a spiritually charged space dedicated to the Bei Dou Xing Jun (北斗星君), the celestial Lords of the Northern Dipper constellation. In Taoist cosmology, these deities play a critical role in maintaining cosmic balance, spiritual discipline, and karmic justice. They are believed to govern over the fate of mortals, celestial administration, and the process of spiritual ascension, complementing the life-giving functions of the Southern Dipper deities. More than a star formation, the Northern Dipper is seen as a divine mechanism of moral order, a celestial compass that guides the soul through life, death, and into the realms beyond. It is deeply revered in Taoist internal alchemy, where meditations on the Dipper facilitate spiritual transformation and alignment with the Dao. This altar, therefore, is not just a place of worship, but a powerful reminder of the cosmic laws that underlie destiny, karma, and the pursuit of enlightenment.
Presiding over this altar is the formidable and venerated Heavenly Marshal Tian Du, also known as Tian Du Yuan Shuai, who serves as the principal protector of this spiritual domain. Uniquely, Tian Du is not only a celestial figure but also a historical one. He was originally Li Hai Qing, a renowned figure during the Tang Dynasty, celebrated for his exceptional talents in both martial arts and traditional Chinese opera. His life embodied a rare synthesis of physical mastery and refined artistic expression, a harmony deeply respected in Chinese cultural tradition, where martial training and opera performance have long been interconnected. After his death, Li Hai Qing’s virtues, discipline, and cultural contributions earned him deification. As Tian Du Yuan Shuai, he became not only a celestial general tasked with guarding spiritual thresholds, but also a patron deity for martial artists, opera performers, and those engaged in the performing arts. His spiritual role is thus multifaceted: he stands as a fierce defender against malevolent forces, ensuring that the sanctity of the Northern Dipper remains unbreached, and simultaneously as a symbol of artistic and martial integrity. His unique origin underscores the Taoist ideal that mortal virtue can lead to divine transcendence, and his presence in the temple continues to inspire both practitioners of the martial path and those devoted to preserving traditional culture.
Flanking Tian Du are some of the most iconic and spiritually potent deities in the Taoist pantheon. Foremost among them is Heavenly Marshal Er Lang, a legendary figure renowned for his supernatural powers, unshakable loyalty, and uncompromising sense of justice. Most famously identified by his third eye, which grants him the ability to see truth beyond illusion, Er Lang is a powerful exorcist and demon-slayer, often depicted alongside his faithful celestial hound. His inclusion on this altar emphasizes the values of discernment and righteous action—qualities essential for navigating the spiritual path and confronting the karmic forces that shape destiny. Er Lang’s mythology is widely celebrated for illustrating how spiritual insight must be paired with moral strength in the service of cosmic harmony.
Standing nearby is Heavenly Marshal Zhao, another divine general who, though less well known in popular tales, is deeply respected for his protective and judicial functions. Often invoked for spiritual safety, Marshal Zhao acts as a quiet but resolute guardian, defending against spiritual imbalance, misfortune, and unseen malevolence. He complements the more dramatic presence of Er Lang with his steady watchfulness and unwavering commitment to cosmic order. Together with Marshal Tian Du, this trio of celestial defenders enshrines the principles of vigilance, courage, and karmic accountability, central tenets in Taoist religious thought.
Adding an earthward dimension to this heavenly court is Fu De Zheng Shen, also known as Da Bo Gong, the God of Earth and Prosperity. Unlike the martial generals, Fu De Zheng Shen represents benevolence, domestic peace, and material blessings. Revered across Chinese communities, particularly in homes and businesses, he symbolizes the sacredness of daily life and the importance of gratitude, stewardship, and ethical livelihood. His placement on the right-wing altar reflects the Taoist belief that prosperity and spiritual order must go hand in hand that blessings are best received and retained when one lives in harmony with both heaven and earth.
One of the most colorful and spiritually compelling figures on this altar is Qi Tian Da Sheng, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, better known as Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Originating from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, Sun Wukong is a figure of paradox and transformation. At once rebellious and righteous, he begins as a defiant spirit who challenges celestial authority, but ultimately evolves into a loyal protector under the guidance of the Buddha. His magical powers, fiery spirit, and relentless drive make him a beloved symbol of spiritual perseverance, inner strength, and personal redemption. His presence at the right altar serves to remind devotees that the path to enlightenment is not always straight, and that spiritual awakening often emerges through struggle, rebellion, and the overcoming of inner demons.
Together, the deities enshrined at the right-wing altar embody the cosmic dimension of fate, justice, discipline, and spiritual transformation. This altar complements the temple’s holistic cosmological structure: while the central altar, anchored by Dou Mu Yuan Jun and the Nine Emperor Gods, represents the origin of the universe and divine governance, and the left-wing altar, aligned with the Southern Dipper, embodies vitality, healing, and prosperity, the right-wing altar serves as the spiritual backbone where the principles of divine order, karmic balance, and righteous conduct are preserved and enacted. It is the sacred space where souls are measured, protected, and set upon the path toward cosmic harmony.
Within the sacred design of An Shun Dou Mu Gong, these three altars form a tripartite cosmological temple system. Each altar upholds a unique yet interconnected aspect of the Taoist worldview: creation and governance at the center, life and health on the left, and fate and justice on the right. Together, they offer a complete path for spiritual seekers one that embraces the fullness of existence: from birth to transformation, from earthly responsibility to celestial destiny. In the presence of these divine guardians, devotees are reminded that to live in alignment with the Tao is to walk with protection, purpose, and the promise of transcendence.