The Five Camp Gods are the core guardian deities in Taoism and folk beliefs who protect the territory and homes by guarding the five directions. Led by the Middle Altar Marshal Nezha, they are divided into five camps: East, South, West, North, and Center. Each camp is in charge of the troops in that direction and is responsible for expelling evil spirits and protecting peace. They are the core force in Taoism’s rituals for protecting homes and warding off evil spirits, and are also important religious objects in folk beliefs for maintaining the safety of the territory and protecting the household. According to mainstream views, the Middle Camp is led by Li Nezha, commanding the Three Qin Army of the Middle Altar, holding a yellow flag and having a yellow complexion, commanding all five camps and controlling the overall situation, guarding the center and expelling evil spirits and protecting the lord;
Dongying is General Zhang Jiqing, leading the Nine Barbarian Army, holding a blue flag and having a blue complexion, guarding the east, preventing evil spirits from coming from the east, and protecting the peace of the household in the east; Nanchang is General Xiao Qiming, commanding the Eight Barbarian Army, holding a red flag and having a red complexion, guarding the south, controlling the southern fire， and protecting the peace of the household in the south； Xibang is General Liu Wuxiu， leading the Six Army， holding a white flag and having a white complexion， guarding the west， blocking the western metal， and protecting the stability of the household in the west； Beixiang is General Lian Zhonggong， commanding the Five Di Army， holding a black flag and having a black complexion， guarding the north， blocking the north’s Yin evil， and protecting the stability of the household in the north. The Five Camp Gods construct a spatial defense system through “guarding the five directions”. In Taoist rituals for protecting homes， opening temples, and warding off evil spirits， five camp banners or plaques are often set up. In folk beliefs， they are used to protect villages， temples， and homes， resisting evil spirits’ invasion. They correspond to the five elements of yellow earth， east’s green wood， south’s red fire， west’s white metal， and north’s black water. They are also related to the four spirits： Blue Dragon， Red Bird， White Tiger， and Black Turtle. This reflects the Taoist concept of “correspondence between heaven and humanity”， and has dual meanings of guarding and harmonizing yin and yang.
