Hu Ye (Chinese:虎爺; Pe̍h-ōe-jī:Hó͘-iâ; lit.'Tiger Deity'), also known as Huye Jiangjun (虎爺將軍; Hó͘-iâ-chiong-kun; 'General Tiger') or Hu Jiangjun (虎將軍; Hó͘-chiong-kun; 'General Tiger'), is a tiger deity in Chinese folk religion. He is usually depicted as a tiger and is worshipped as a guardian deity. Hu Ye is commonly depicted with either black or yellow fur. Traditionally, the Tiger Deity served as a mount for mountain gods, Tudigong (the Earth God), and the City God. In later traditions, he also became associated with Wangye (Royal Lords) and Mazu as their mount. He is also worshipped as a protector of temples, villages, regions, and cities. Hu Ye is also known as Xiatan Jiangjun (下壇將軍; Ē-tôaⁿ-chiong-kun; 'General of the Lower Altar') and Jinhu Jiangjun (金虎將軍; Kim-hó͘-chiong-kun; 'Golden Tiger General').
Origin
The Tiger Deity is an animal deity in Chinese folk religion. Its worship is associated with ancient Chinese nature worship and the reverence for tigers. Tigers were regarded by the Han Chinese as fierce and powerful animals, and their worship later became part of folk religious traditions influenced by Taoism.
Although tigers are not native to Taiwan, the Tiger Deity is widely worshipped there. It is associated with various deities and may serve as their attendant, mount, or messenger. Its role and powers vary according to the deity it accompanies. For example, the Tiger Deity associated with Zhao Gongming, the Martial God of Wealth, is associated with wealth and prosperity, while one associated with Baosheng Dadi is believed to have healing powers and is worshipped as a protector of sick children. The Tiger Deity may also serve as a vanguard in religious processions, a guardian of temples, and a protector of travelers and fishermen.
Worship
The Wenchang and Wenwu Daye (Great Public Spirits) Festival at the Dizang Temple, Taiwan.
Traditionally, the Tiger Deity in Taiwanese temples is enshrined below the altar of the main deity. In some places, however, it is placed on the main altar or worshipped in a separate temple. These Tiger Deities are sometimes classified as "Heavenly Tigers" (Tianhu) and "Earth Tigers" (Dihu), with the latter traditionally enshrined below the main deity. Temples dedicated to the Tiger Deity can be found in Chiayi, Changhua, Waipu in Taichung, and Shiding in Taipei. The Tiger Deity also accompanies other deities in religious processions, and its birthday is celebrated on the sixth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar.
In temples, the Tiger Deity is usually depicted as a tiger. Other depictions include cute, fierce, and cartoon-like versions. Some temples also depict it as a tiger-headed human or as a human wearing a tiger-shaped hat. The Xinmin Temple in Yilan has all three forms: a tiger, a tiger-headed human, and a human wearing a tiger-shaped hat.
The Tiger Deity is also revered as the mount of Chenghuang (the City God). In Chenghuang Temples, altars dedicated to Hu Ye are usually placed below the main altar or in a man-made cave outside the main temple building. According to folk beliefs, Hu Ye is also invoked for protection against xiaoren (小人), or malicious individuals who engage in deceitful and vengeful schemes.
