The plague gods （瘟神） in Chinese folklore. They are Spring Plague Zhang Yuanbo, Summer Plague Liu Yuanda, Autumn Plague Zhao Gongming, Winter Plague Zhong Shiji, and General Manager of Plague History and Literature, also known as the “Five Ghosts” or “Five Blessings Emperor” or “Five Spirit Lords”. They are the gods of plague worshipped by the Chinese people. Every year, some temples worship five ghosts to ensure the safety of livestock, referring to these five ghosts. It embodies the beautiful wishes of the Chinese working people to dispel evil, avoid disasters, and pray for blessings.
They say, a long, long time ago, there were five poor scholars in the Fuzhou area.
They were Zhang Yuanbo, Zhong Shixiu, Liu Yuanda, Shi Wenye, and Zhao Gongming.
One night, they agreed to go out and play together.
During their outing, they unexpectedly discovered that a plague ghost was secretly releasing poison in a well.
Seeing this, the five scholars were very worried. They knew the poison would harm the people.
So, they decided to sacrifice themselves and jumped into the well together, using their lives to warn the world.
After the Jade Emperor learned of this, he was very moved.
He appointed the five scholars as Xianling Gong, Yingling Gong, Xuanling Gong, Yangling Gong, and Zhenling Gong.
People collectively called them “Five Spirit Lords.”
The Five Spirit Lords were specifically responsible for driving away plagues on earth and protecting the safety of the people.
Their bravery and sacrificial spirit are still celebrated by the people of Fuzhou to this day.
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