The 72 Earth Huns are another set of celestial deities and ominous figures corresponding to the “36 Heavenly Generals”, jointly constituting the complete concept of “Heavenly Generals and Earthly Huns” in Taoism and folk beliefs. They mainly originated from the ancient people’s worship of celestial bodies (among the stars of the Big Dipper constellation, there are 72 Earth Huns). Later, they evolved into a group of divine and ominous figures that govern the earth, the underworld, the fortune and misfortune of human affairs, and even the changes in magic arts. Unlike the highly renowned “36 Heavenly Generals” as the orthodox guardian deities, the “72 Earth Huns” are more complex and diverse in terms of image and function, including both guardian deities and ominous deities, and are closely linked to magic arts and supernatural powers.
Core connotation and multiple identities
Celestial body deities and earth guardians: As Earth Huns, they govern matters related to the earth, such as mountains, rivers, city walls, and the safety of homes. In Feng Shui (geomancy) and architecture (construction), it is necessary to avoid or pacify the Earth Huns to achieve peace.
Evil gods and calamity omens (core original meaning): The character “sha” itself often has the meaning of danger and disaster. In traditional auspicious fortune-telling and astrology, “Earth Huns” often refer to the ominous gods and calamity stars that need to be avoided. For example, “Zi sha”, “Zhai sha”, “Jiao sha”, etc., all belong to the category of Earth Huns, governing diseases, injuries, and destruction, etc., of ominous matters. The saying of “being affected by Earth Huns” in folk belief means that one has offended these ominous gods and will encounter troubles.
Superpowers and changes (literature and magic extension): This is the most charming development of the concept of Earth Huns in literature and Taoist magic. In “Water Margin”, the 72 leaders of Liangshan correspond to the “72 Earth Huns”, giving the Earth Huns a positive image of “heroes on the earth, each with unique abilities”. More importantly, in Taoist magic (especially Taoist alchemy and transformation magic), “72 Earth Huns Magic” refers to 72 kinds of magical transformations or spells, such as:
Tranquility: Can communicate with gods and ghosts.
Drive gods: Drive gods.
Carry mountains: Carry mountains.
Ban water: Stop the flow of water.
Use wind, create fog, pray for clear weather, pray for rain, etc. Mastering these “Earth Huns Magic” means obtaining extraordinary abilities to control nature and change everything.
Correspondence with “36 Heavenly Generals”
“36 Heavenly Generals and 72 Earth Huns” is an inseparable yin-yang whole:
Heavenly Generals (36): Yang, governing the sky, symbolizing light, vigor, orthodoxy, and superior power. Often associated with the Big Dipper, the thunder department, and guardians.
Earth Huns (72): Yin, governing the earth, symbolizing the underworld, secrecy, change, and grassroots power. Often associated with the earth, mountains, the underworld, magic arts, and even ominous deities.
Relationship: Heavenly Generals and Earth Huns jointly form the complete cycle of the universe. Heavenly Generals are like leaders, commanding the overall situation; Earth Huns are like generals or officials, managing specific matters. In magic, one often needs to tread the positions of Heavenly Generals and Earth Huns, that is, to step on the positions of Heavenly Generals and Earth Huns to connect the energy of heaven and earth.
Reflection in culture and beliefs
Taoist magic and rituals: When a priest performs a ritual, they often need to “summon Earth Huns” or “subdue Earth Huns”. When building temples or moving earth for burial, they need to hold an initiation ceremony to “retreat Earth Huns”. In talismans and seals, there are often Earth Huns star maps or names.
Fortune-telling and auspicious fortune-telling: In the Eight Trigrams, Feng Shui, and choosing auspicious days, “Earth Huns” are necessary ominous deities to be treated with caution. One of the core principles of choosing auspicious days and arranging the main house and secondary house is “avoiding ominous deities and inviting auspicious deities”, with Earth Huns being the main objects to be avoided.
