I. Character Profile: The Three-Eyed Mountain-Bearer
Aliases and Nicknames
Erlang Shen, Yang Jian, Guankou Erlang, the Exalted Holy True Lord (his divine title, meaning “Revealed Saint True Lord”)
Appearance
Standing at eight chi tall, he has a dignified and handsome look, with a third divine eye between his brows that can pierce through the illusions of demons and ghosts. He wears silver armor under a light green robe, a mountain-splitting axe at his waist, and wields a three-pronged two-edged halberd. By his side is often his celestial hound, a loyal companion capable of barking at the sun to subdue evil.
Abilities
Master of the 72 celestial transformations, he can ride clouds to travel tens of thousands of li in a day. His divine strength is boundless—he can carry massive mountains like Taihang and Wangwu on his shoulders. The third eye allows him to see through lies and observe all three realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld). He specializes in taming dragons and controlling floods, having defeated many water-spawning dragons that terrorized humans.
II. Origin: The Growth of the Jade Emperor’s Nephew
Yang Jian is the son of Yao Ji, the Jade Emperor’s younger sister, and the mortal man Yang Tianyou. He grew up in Guankou (now Dujiangyan, Sichuan). When Yao Ji was imprisoned under Taoshan for marrying a mortal against heavenly rules, young Yang Jian sought refuge with Yu Ding Zhenren, a hermit sage in Jinxia Cave on Yuquan Mountain. After a decade of rigorous training, he gained godlike powers. He split Taoshan with a divine axe to rescue his mother, a feat that touched the Jade Emperor. He was then granted the title “Exalted Holy True Lord” and tasked with guarding Guankou to protect the people.
III. Classic Stories: Legends of Braving Natural Disasters
1. Carrying Mountains to Chase the Suns: Taming Nine Scorching Suns
In ancient times, ten suns rose together, scorching the earth and drying up rivers. Sent by the Jade Emperor to save humanity, Yang Jian plucked six massive mountains—including Mount Tai and Mount Hua—and carried them on a golden pole. He chased the nine extra suns across the sky. Each time he caught one, he trapped it under a mountain, turning it into a dormant star. The “Nine Peaked Mountain” in Shandong today is said to be where these suns were sealed. This act restored balance to the climate, making him a savior in mortal eyes.
2. Splitting the Mountain to Save His Mother: Filial Piety that Moved Heaven
After his mother was imprisoned under Taoshan, Yang Jian vowed to free her. For three years, he hacked at the mountain with his divine axe, ignoring the Heavenly Court’s warnings. When the rock finally split, golden light poured out, and Yao Ji walked free unharmed. This story later inspired The Lotus Lantern legend, becoming a timeless symbol of filial piety—honoring parents even against celestial authority.
3. Dragon-Taming and Flood Control: Guardians of Rivers
A malevolent dragon once plagued the Minjiang River, causing devastating floods. Yang Jian disguised himself as a fisherman and fought the dragon for three days and nights. His third eye revealed the dragon’s weak spots; his halberd chopped off its horns, and finally, he chained it under Fulong Temple in Dujiangyan. To prevent future floods, he led locals to build an irrigation system, digging canals and reinforcing riverbanks. This laid the foundation for the Dujiangyan Dam, a marvel of ancient engineering still protecting lives and crops today.
IV. Relationships: Connections Across Three Realms
- Family Ties: Nephew of the Jade Emperor; son of the celestial fairy Yao Ji and mortal Yang Tianyou; his younger sister is San Shengmu (the Third Goddess of Huashan, star of The Lotus Lantern); his nephew is Chen Xiang, another hero known for splitting a mountain to save his mother.
- Allies: His faithful celestial hound, which can grow as large as an elephant to assist in battles; the Six Brothers of Mei Mountain, his sworn siblings who master mountain magic and always join him in defeating demons.
- Foes: Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), with whom he fought to a standstill in Journey to the West; the Nine-Headed Worm, a water demon defeated by Yang Jian and his hound together.
V. Relevant Traditional Literature and Mythology
- Classic Texts: First mentioned in the Song dynasty collection Taiping Guangji. Detailed descriptions appear in Ming dynasty works like Journey to the West (Chapter 6, where he battles Sun Wukong) and Investiture of the Gods, where he’s called “Qingyuan Miaodao True Lord” (Pure Source Wondrous Path True Lord) and aids King Wu in overthrowing the Shang dynasty.
- Local Legends: Temples dedicated to him in Guankou (Dujiangyan) and Huashan (Shaanxi), along with historical sites like the “Mountain-Splitting Site” in Huashan, weave his myths into China’s regional culture.
- Folk Belief: Embraced by Taoism as a water god, he’s worshiped alongside Li Bing and his son (the historical architects of Dujiangyan) in temples, symbolizing humanity’s wisdom in coexisting with nature.
VI. Folk Festivals and Customs: Millennium-Old Traditions
- Erlang Temple Fair: Held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month in Guankou and Huashan, the fair features grand processions with Yang Jian’s statue, folk dances mimicking his “mountain-carrying” steps, and dragon-taming performances to pray for丰收 (abundant harvests) and flood-free years.
- Three-Eyed Hats: In some regions, children wear hats embroidered with three eyes during the Dragon Boat Festival, believing the symbol will invoke Yang Jian’s protection against diseases and misfortune.
- Riverside Sacrifices: Before starting water conservancy projects, fishermen and engineers offer rituals by the river, presenting wine and meat to honor Yang Jian as the “Water-Control God,” thanking him for his blessings on their work.
VII. Historical Contributions: From Myth to Reality
Yang Jian’s legends are more than stories—they reflect ancient Chinese people’s struggle to survive natural disasters. His “mountain-carrying” courage symbolizes humanity’s determination to transform nature; his “mountain-splitting” filial piety embodies Confucian values of family loyalty; his “dragon-taming” wisdom aligns with the philosophy of “harmony between man and nature.” The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a real-world wonder built over 2,000 years ago, echoes his mythical teachings, proving that ancient wisdom can stand the test of time.
VIII. Business and Cultural Significance: The Modern Spirit of Responsibility
In today’s business world, Yang Jian’s “mountain-carrying spirit” is seen as a symbol of courage and accountability. Companies admire his ability to take on heavy burdens—like making tough decisions during market storms, similar to his resolve in chasing the scorching suns, or solving complex problems with the patience of a dragon-tamer. Internationally, his stories showcase China’s “culture of perseverance,” highlighting how resilience and public service have shaped both myth and reality, making him a bridge between ancient legends and global values.
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