Introduction of Wu Fang Wu Lao aka Five Elder Lords (五方五老尊)

 

Wu Fang Wu Lao (五方五老) aka Wu Fang Wu Lao Zun (五方五老尊) or Wu Fang Wu Lao Jun (五方五老君), translated as the Five Elder Lords of the Five Directions in the Universe (為宇宙中五方五行之尊神).

In Taoist Records, these Five Elder Lords were known as the manifestation of Yuan Shi Tian Wang – the very first form of Energy in the Null (五方五老由元始天王所聚集之大鈞之氣所化成).

After Yuan Shi Tian Wang manifested San Qing (The Three Pure One 三清) and Si Yu (The Four Celestial Emperors 四御), Yuan Shi Tian Wang gathered another large energy from the Universe – by collating the Two Energies of Positive and Negative together to form the Five gusts of Energies, which later after being dispensed out, the Five Elder Lords were formed.

They are:

East: Qing Ling Shi Lao Jun (青靈始老君。亦稱東方安寶華林青靈始老君)　

South: Dan Ling Zhen Lao Jun (丹靈真老君。亦稱南方梵寶昌陽丹靈真老君)

Central: Zhong Yang Huang Lao Jun (中央黃老君。亦稱中央混元玄靈黃老君)

West: Hao Ling Huang Lao Jun (皓靈皇老君。亦稱西方七寶金門皓靈皇老君)

North: Wu Ling Xuan Lao Jun (五靈玄老君。亦稱北方洞陰朔單鬱絕五靈玄老君)

In records, these Five Elder Lords were being appointed to station at one corner in the Universe to look into issues that were associated with the Directional Element that they were being allocated to (for eg: East will be the element of Wood, etc).

Soon after the World was being formed and settled down, things started to grow and living beings started to enjoy the opportunities of living in the Mortal Realms, the Five Elder Lords were then given permission (or out of kindness) to manifest another group of Five Directional Dukes known as Wu Fang Wu Di (五方五帝), using their own Spiritual Will, to assist them in the looking after of the infinite quantity of cases that were associated with the Five Elements, etc.

This group of Five Directional Dukes manifested by the Five Elder Lords was being appointed to look into issues that were closely associated with the Four Seasons in this Mortal Realm.

They are:

Eastern Directional Duke: in-charge of Spring and assist in the issues associated with Wood (化為東方青帝，主木-司春，其名曰靈威仰)

Southern Directional Duke: in-charge of Summer and assist in the issues associated with Fire
(化為南方赤帝，主火-司夏，其名曰赤熛怒)

Central Directional Duke: in-charge of Four Seasons and assist in the issues associated with Earth
(化為中央黃帝，主土-司四季，其名曰含樞紐)

Western Directional Duke: in-charge of Autumn and assist in the issues associated with Gold or Metal
(化為西方白帝，主金-司秋，其名曰白招拒)

Northern Directional Duke: in-charge of Winter and assist in the issues associated with Water
(化為北方黑帝，主水-司冬，其名曰十光紀)

In Singapore, these 2 groups of Deities are rarely or seldom being seen in Temples or being respected by any folks. But during Grand Taoist Rituals/Ceremonies, these 2 groups of Deities will be invited to witness the events and join in the joyous of the Celebration.