The Three Primordial Kings are the three high-ranking goddesses revered by the Taoist Shangqing sect, also known as “Three Pure Women” or “Three Yuan Ladies”. They are the divine manifestations born from the fusion of the Taoic Qi of the Three Pure Ones and the cosmic pure Qi by the transformation of the Three Pure Ones’ Taoic Qi and the cosmic pure Qi by the Primordial Heavenly Lord. They are in charge of the cosmic pure Qi in the Shangqing realm, the inheritance of the scriptures, and the cultivation and ascension of practitioners. In the Taoist goddess system, they hold a highly respected position, along with the Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors, and are listed in the upper realm of Shangqing. The core scriptures can be found in the “Great Cave True Scripture” and the “Record of the Immortals of the First True Lord” among others.
The Three Primordial Kings correspond to the three types of pure Qi: “Tai Su”, “Huang Su”, and “Bai Su”. Each has its own specific duties and symbolic meanings: The Tai Su Primordial King is also known as “Tai Su Qingxu Yuan King”, being the leader among the Three Primordial Kings. She is the source of the Taoic Qi of the Three Pure Ones and is transformed by the Taoic Qi of the Primordial Heavenly Lord. She is in charge of the Tai Su pure Qi (corresponding to heaven and blue Qi), and is responsible for the transmission of the Shangqing scriptures and the awakening of the practitioners’ innate potential. It is said that she once imparted the “Great Cave True Scripture” to the Primordial Heavenly Lord, making her a core goddess in the inheritance of Taoist scriptures. Her image is dressed in a blue silk robe, wearing a jade crown, holding a jade scroll, with a serene and solemn expression, surrounded by blue Qi clouds.
The Huang Su Primordial King is also known as “Huang Su Yuan King”, corresponding to earth and yellow Qi. She is in charge of the harmonization of the Huang Su pure Qi and the cultivation of practitioners’ physical form and health, responsible for protecting practitioners from impurities in their bodies, condensing true form, and facilitating the union of their physical bodies and Taoic Qi. Her image is dressed in yellow silk clothing, wearing a golden flower crown, holding a pure lotus, with a gentle and compassionate expression, surrounded by yellow Qi light.
The Bai Su Primordial King is also known as “Bai Su Yuan King”, corresponding to water and white Qi. She is in charge of the Bai Su pure Qi and the cosmic pure liquid, responsible for the ascension of practitioners and the tranquility of their souls. She can cleanse the souls of the deceased of their sins and lead them to a good path, and can also protect the souls of practitioners in the mortal world from dispersing. Her image is dressed in white silk robes, wearing a jade crown, holding a jade purification bottle, with a peaceful and holy expression, surrounded by white Qi glow.
The core functions of the Three Primordial Kings span four major dimensions: At the level of cultivation, they protect the disciples of the Shangqing sect from reading the true scriptures and practicing internal alchemy, harmonizing the practitioners’ bodies with the three elements (upper, middle, and lower) of the three pure ones with the pure Qi of the three pure ones, helping them eliminate distractions and condense true elixirs, achieving the state of “pure Qi enveloping the body” and the unity of form and spirit”. In terms of scripture inheritance, it is said that they once imparted the “Great Cave True Scripture” and the “Three Pure Treasure Scripture” to the immortals on the sacred mountains such as Taibai Mountain and Luofu Mountain, being the guardians and disseminators of the Shangqing scriptures. In terms of protecting the people’s livelihood, they can eliminate disasters and misfortunes, dispel evil spirits and impurities, protect the purity of the believers’ bodies and homes, especially providing special protection for female practitioners and believers seeking a clear soul. In terms of the afterlife transformation, the Bai Su Primordial King often irrigates the souls of the deceased with pure liquid, helping them remove sins and ascend to a good path, complementing the salvation function of the Taixi Jiufu Tianzun.
In the Taoist system, the Three Primordial Kings belong to the high-ranking goddesses of the Shangqing realm, ranking second only to the Three Pure Ones, the Four Emperors, and the Western Queen Mother. Unlike the Queen Mother of the Heavenly Realm who governs the order of the celestial realm and the longevity, they focus more on “the nourishment of the Taoic Qi’s source” and “the cultivation and ascension of practitioners”, being important carriers of the Taoist concept of “valuing life” and the sacred worship of women. Their images combine the clarity of Taoic Qi and the grace of a goddess, without any fierce appearance, fully displaying sanctity and compassion, and are often depicted in Shangqing scriptures and Taoist temple murals, serving as objects of worship and supplication for practitioners.
In folk beliefs, many believers offer incense and sacrifices on the 15th day of the third lunar month (the feast day of the Tai Su Primordial King), the 6th day of the 6th lunar month (the feast day of the Huang Su Primordial King), and the 9th day of the 9th lunar month (the feast day of the Bai Su Primordial King), using fresh fruits, clean water, and pure flowers as offerings, praying for the protection of the Three Primordial Kings to ensure the smoothness of practitioners’ cultivation, a pure body and mind, and the elimination of disasters and blessings.
