《無上祕要》Vol. 9

Supreme Secret Essentials, Volume Seventeen: The Crowns and Robes of the Many Sages, Part One — The Crowns and Robes of the Dao Lords

A modern-language interpretation follows.

The Crowns and Robes of the Dao Lords

Heavenly King Primordial Beginning (1)

According to the Upper Scripture of the Golden Writ of the Supreme Ultimate (Dongzhen Taiji Jinshu Shangjing), Heavenly King Primordial Beginning wears the Crown of the Boundless Grotto-Heaven and a nine-colored silk cape. He wears a robe of flying forest frost pearls, with a sword belt adorned with a morning-glow sun bell at his waist. He wears the Huoluo on his left and the Golden Perfected on his right.

Heavenly King Primordial Beginning (2)

According to the Scripture of the Seventy-Four Transformations of the Grotto-Truth (Dongzhen Bianhua Qishisi Fang Jing), Heavenly King Primordial Beginning wears the Crown of Purple Radiance and Flowing Essence of the Nine Qi. He wears a seamless red-speckled natural tiger skirt in nine colors and a belt made of Mount Tai fire-jade.

High and Lofty Jade Emperor

According to the same scripture, the High and Lofty Jade Emperor wears the Precious Crown of the Supreme Seven Luminaries. He wears a skirt of jade-patterned bright light and flying clouds, carries the Vermilion Emperor’s jade seal, and wears a sword called “Metal-Taming, Flying Essence, Summoner of Mountains.”

Elder of the Nine Heavens

According to the Upper Scripture of the Golden Root of the Purple Book of the Grotto-Truth (Dongzhen Zishu Jin’gen Shangjing), the Elder of the Nine Heavens wears a fur robe patterned with nine colors and wears the Purple Dawn Crown. He sits above the Purple Void, within the empty mystery.

Central Yellow Venerable Lord

According to the Central Scripture of the Nine Perfected of the Grotto-Truth (Dongzhen Jiuzhen Zhongjing), the Central Yellow Venerable Lord carries the dragon’s dark pattern and the divine tiger’s talisman, wears a bell of flowing gold, and holds a staff of purple feathers. He may wear a headcloth of golden essence or lean on the Crown of Flowering Dawn.

Great Emperor Lord

According to the Upper Scripture of the Golden Writ of the Supreme Ultimate, the Great Emperor Lord wears a vermilion crown adorned with seven treasures, a cape patterned with nine-colored natural clouds, and a feathered robe of flying silk and radiant light. At his waist are a phoenix seal and a flowing-gold fire bell. He holds the nine-colored staff for subduing demons. The Nine Elders of the Immortal Capital raise aloft a stand of golden essence that stands in empty space.

Emperor Lord of the Soul Essence with the Jade Pendant and Emperor Lord of the Po Soul Spirit with the Golden Dangling Ornament

According to the Precious Writ of the Highest Clarity (Shangqing Baowen), the Emperor Lord of the Soul Essence with the Jade Pendant wears a floral cape embroidered with pearls and a flying brocade blue skirt. He wears the moon embracing the sun at his waist, wears a purple crown, holds a jade pendant, and stands on the left. The Emperor Lord of the Po Soul Spirit with the Golden Dangling Ornament wears a purple cape embroidered with pearls and a flying silk vermilion skirt. He wears the sun embracing the moon at his waist, wears a floral crown, holds a golden dangling ornament, and stands on the right.

High Sage, Most High Lord of the Great Dao

According to the Scripture of the Primordial Record of the Seven Sages of the Grotto-Truth (Dongzhen Qisheng Yuanji Jing), the High Sage, Most High Lord of the Great Dao wears a nine-colored silk cape and a flying frost-pearl brocade skirt. He wears the crown of a hundred transformations in an instant, and at his waist are a morning-glow sun bell and the Sword of Nurturing Continuance. He wears the Huoluo crossed belt and carries a jade seal bearing the phoenix design, with flowing gold illuminating the void and the Seven Essences. The Most High ascends to the vermilion palace of nine tiers and seven reflections.

In these passages, terms such as “crown,” “cape,” “skirt,” “wear,” “belt,” and “hold” often refer to the regalia and garments of the immortals. Details vary somewhat between scriptures. The cited works are mostly texts from the Grotto-Truth section of Daoist literature, used to define the forms and ranks of the many sages.

This passage describes the attire and ritual implements of several important Daoist goddesses. First are the images of the Three Primordial Ladies (high-ranking goddesses):

Lady Bai Su of the Right (governing the West) wears an upper garment of white brocade embroidered with dragon patterns and a lower white brocade embroidered skirt. She adorns a purple hibiscus crown and carries two divine golden tiger tallies at her waist. In her left hand she holds a Flowing Gold Fire Bell (an exorcism implement), while her right hand cradles the Scripture of Supreme Wisdom (Taishang Zhihui Jing).

Lady Huang Su of the Center (governing the Middle) wears a yellow cloud-patterned brocade upper garment and a yellow gauze skirt with flying floral designs. She also wears the purple hibiscus crown and carries divine golden tiger tallies. Holding the fire bell in her left hand, she supports the Perfect Scripture of the Great Cavern (Dadong Zhenjing) with her right.

Lady Zi Su of the Left (governing the East) dons a purple brocade upper garment with tiger patterns and a magnificent purple skirt embroidered with dragons. Her headdress is the Purple Dawn Floral Crown, and she rides under a purple canopy with twin pearls. At her waist hang the Flowing Gold Fire Bell along with two divine golden moon tiger tallies, while her left hand holds the Scripture of Supreme Demon Dispelling (Taishang Xiaomo Jing) and her right presents the Chapter of Golden Truth and Jade Radiance (Jinzhen Yuguang Zhang).

Next described is the supreme Great Primordial Lady (Tai Su Yuanjun), the trinitarian highest goddess who is mother to the three ladies. She wears a jewel-inlaid feathered crown, a purple cloud-patterned brocade cape, and a nine-colored feathered skirt with dragon motifs. Her waist is adorned with the Flowing Gold Fire Bell, tiger tallies, and dragon-patterned documents.

The three daughters of the Great Primordial Lady are:

Lady Zi Su (eldest daughter) wears the Crown of Infant Dawn (Taizhen Chenying Guan) with triangular-shaped hair cascading to her waist. Her attire consists of a purple brocade upper garment and a Frost-Flying gauze skirt, tied with the Great Ribbon of Spiritual Flight.

Lady Huang Su (second daughter) also wears the Crown of Infant Dawn, with a yellow brocade upper garment and a five-colored flying azure brocade skirt. She is adorned with a phoenix-patterned jade ribbon and carries the Flowing Yellow Essence-Swinging Sword at her waist.

Lady Bai Su (youngest daughter) is similarly attired in a radiant white brocade upper garment and a frost-green flying brocade skirt. She wears the Six-Mountain Fire Jade Pendant and phoenix-patterned ribbon, with the Sun's Prolonged Radiance Sword hanging at her waist.

Finally mentioned is the Jade Purity Green Emperor of Eastern Extremity (Dongji Yuzhen Qingdijun) from the Shangqing Jade Palace, who wears the Nine Qi Essence-Penetrating Crown. These garments and ritual implements all carry symbolic meanings, representing each deity's authority and divine functions.

The following passages from the Wushang Miyao describe the attire of the Five Emperors of the Jade Palace and the ceremonial robes and crowns of the Five Jade Administrators. The explanations below give their meaning in modern language, retaining proper names and briefly clarifying them where needed.

The Five Jade True Emperors

From the Dongzhen Qiong Gong Lingfei Liujia Jing

Supreme Clarity Jade Palace Southern Pole Jade True Red Emperor

He wears a “crown of the three Qi for advancing the worthy,” a brocade robe in cinnabar red, and a flying skirt of crimson gauze over his shoulders. Around his waist is a belt fashioned after the “sword that refines the body with fire essence.” In his hand he holds a red jade talisman of pure essence, attuned to the spiritual power of Bing and Ding.

Supreme Clarity Jade Palace Western Pole Jade True White Emperor

He wears a “precious crown of the seven Qi that reaches Heaven,” a white brocade robe, and a flying skirt of plain gauze over his shoulders. Around his waist is a belt fashioned after the “sword of golden radiance that prolongs the sun.” In his hand he holds a white jade talisman of pure essence, attuned to the spiritual power of Geng and Xin.

Supreme Clarity Jade Palace Northern Pole Jade True Dark Emperor

He wears a “crown of the five Qi, the mysterious treasure,” a brocade robe in dark blackish blue, and a flying skirt of dark gauze over his shoulders. Around his waist is a belt fashioned after the “Seven Primordial Powers’ cinnabar register.” In his hand he holds a dark jade talisman of pure essence, attuned to the spiritual power of Ren and Gui.

Supreme Clarity Jade Palace Central Pole Jade True Yellow Emperor

He wears a “crown of the five Qi that connects to the primordial source,” a yellow brocade robe, and a yellow gauze flying skirt over his shoulders. Around his waist is a belt fashioned after the “register of the life-spirit of the Central Origin.” In his hand he holds a yellow jade talisman of pure essence, attuned to the spiritual power of Wu and Ji.

The Southern Pole Red Emperor described above, like the emperors of the eastern, western, northern, and central poles, is a revered deity of the Jade Palace associated with a direction and one of the Five Directions. The earlier section of the original text also describes the Eastern Pole Blue Emperor’s robes and crown, along with a blue jade talisman of pure essence attuned to Jia and Yi.

Robes and Crowns of the Five Jade Administrators

From the Dongzhen Siji Mingke

Blue Emperor Jade Administrator

He wears a flying robe of blue feathers, decorated with a nine-colored phoenix insignia. He wears a nine-origin precious crown and holds a nine-colored ceremonial staff. He governs the Eastern Great Luminous Yang Terrace grotto-heaven.

Red Emperor Jade Administrator

He wears a vermilion robe with cinnabar designs, decorated with a nine-colored phoenix insignia. He wears a jade crown of the flying spirit that levels Heaven and holds a nine-colored ceremonial staff. He governs the Southern Terrace of Vermilion Yang grotto-heaven.

White Emperor Jade Administrator

He wears a robe of plain, radiant white brocade, decorated with a seven-colored phoenix insignia. He wears the precious crown of the flying essence that shines upon Heaven and holds a seven-colored ceremonial staff. He governs the Western Feathered Wilderness grotto-heaven.

Black Emperor Jade Administrator

He wears a dark, patterned robe decorated with a five-colored phoenix insignia. He wears the precious jade crown that connects to Heaven and holds a five-colored feathered staff. He governs the Great Dark Realm of Mysterious Yin grotto-heaven.

Central Yellow Emperor Jade Administrator

He wears a yellow fur robe, adorned with insignia in nine colors, and a morning crown of precious jade that reaches Heaven. He governs the Central Palace of Great Mystery and presides over the heavens beyond the highest and lowest, within and without, surface and interior, and beyond all bounds—heavens that extend through countless eons without limit.

Notes

Supreme Clarity (Shangqing) is the name of a celestial realm revered by the Shangqing school of Daoism.

A grotto-heaven is a hidden blessed realm in Daoism, a world where immortals dwell.

Jia and Yi, Bing and Ding, Geng and Xin, Ren and Gui, and Wu and Ji are Heavenly Stems associated with the Five Phases and the five directions. They are often inscribed on spiritually potent jade talismans to indicate the Qi governed by the emperor of each direction.

A ceremonial staff is a ritual baton carried during sacrifices and court audiences.

In liturgical texts, crowns, shoulder mantles, flying skirts, belts, swords, and jade talismans often distinguish rank and office through their association with the colors of the five directions—blue, red, white, black, and yellow—as well as with phoenix insignia and the grades of precious crowns.

Modern Interpretation of the Supreme Secret Essentials

Titles and Attire of the Five Directional Emperors

• East: Anbao Hualin Qingling Shilao, honored as the Azure Emperor. He wears a crown of azure essence and jade, and a flying robe of azure feathers infused with the nine Qi.
• South: Fanbao Changyang Danling Zhenlao, honored as the Vermilion Emperor. He wears a crown of vermilion essence and jade, and a flying robe of cinnabar feathers infused with the three Qi.
• Center: Yubao Yuanling Yuanlao, honored as the Yellow Emperor. He wears a crown of yellow essence and jade, and a five-colored flying robe.
• West: Qiding Jinmen Haoling Huanglao, honored as the White Emperor. He wears a crown of white essence and jade, and a flying robe of white feathers.
• North: Dongyin Shuodan Yujue Wuling Xuanlao, honored as the Mysterious Emperor. He wears a crown of dark essence and jade, and a flying robe of dark feathers.

(From the Scripture of the True Writings in the Jade Chapters of the Red Book of the Cavern Mystery.)

Attire of the Primordial Spirit Children of the Five Directions

• Azure Heaven of the Nine Qi: There is a Primordial Azure Spirit Child, dressed in an azure-feather robe and holding an azure pennant, standing in attendance on either side of the scripture.
• Cinnabar Heaven of the Three Qi: There is a Primordial Vermilion Spirit Child, dressed in a vermilion-feather robe and holding a vermilion staff, standing in attendance on either side of the scripture.
• Central Yellow Heaven: There is a Primordial Yellow Spirit Child, dressed in a yellow-feather robe and holding a yellow battle-axe, standing in attendance on either side of the scripture.
• Pure Heaven of the Seven Qi: There is a Primordial Pure Spirit Child, dressed in a white-feather robe and holding a white banner, standing in attendance on either side of the scripture.
• Dark Heaven of the Five Qi: There is a Primordial Mysterious Spirit Child, dressed in a dark-feather robe and holding a black standard, standing in attendance on either side of the scripture.

(From the Scripture of the Jade Instructions in the Red Book of the Cavern Mystery.)

Crowns and Robes of the Jade Children of the Three Heavens

The Jade Children of the Three Heavens wear crowns of the Three Blossoms and Precious Radiance of the Cavern Heavens. They are dressed in brocade robes patterned with seven transformations of azure and yellow, wear at the waist the vermilion seal of the Heavenly Prohibition of Essence, and carry bells of flowing gold marked with the Seven Luminaries.

(From the Scripture of the Seventy-Four Transformations of the Cavern of Truth.)

Crowns and Robes of the Lord of the Cavern Heavens’ Transformation and the Immortals of the Various Cavern Heavens

• Supreme Lord of the Immortals, Primordial Lord of the Primordial Cavern of Radiant Origin, Radiant Luminary, and Extending Spirit: A flying-morning precious crown and a plain azure brocade skirt.
• Supreme Lord of the Immortals, Heavenly Lord of the Azure Radiance, Lesser Yang, and Opening Brightness of the Primordial Cavern: An azure crown of the Morning Jade, and an azure silk skirt.
• Supreme Lord of the Immortals, Great Solar Lord of the Primordial Cavern, Yellow Spirit, Great Cinnabar, Flame Fragrance, and Radiant Brilliance: A crown of the Three Mysteries, and a brocade skirt of the Yellow Spirit.
• Supreme Lord of the Immortals, Great Immortal and Primordial Destiny Lord of the Primordial Cavern, Eastern Yang, Grand Year, Double Radiance, and Shining Spirit: A flying-morning jade crown and a plain azure flying skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Heaven, Primordial Grotto—the Eastern Pole Grand Primordial Sovereign, the Numinous Treasure Soul and Radiance of Po: wearing a crown of blue essence jade and a flying blue-feather skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Heaven, Primordial Grotto—the Jade Maiden of the Year Star, Extending the Cliffs, Blue Waist, and Everlasting Yang: wearing her hair in a Flying Clouds coiffure and a flying blue gauze skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Heaven, Primordial Grotto—the Elder of the Southern Pole, Radiant Spirit of the Sun: wearing her hair in a triangular Clouds coiffure and a flying blue skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Heaven, Primordial Grotto—the Green Yang, Emerald Spirit Immortal Boy of the Eastern Sovereign of Radiant Yang: wearing his hair in a Three-Peak Clouds coiffure and a patterned blue skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Heaven, Primordial Grotto—the Jade Maiden of Vermilion Gui, Red Elixir, Extending Life, and Graceful Countenance of the Red Sovereign: wearing her hair in a drooping Clouds coiffure and a patterned vermilion flying skirt.

The Mixed-Transformation Lords of the Earth Grotto: Crowns and Robes

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Sovereign of Great Numinous Mechanism, Primordial Life, and the Great Grotto of the Planet Mars: wearing a crown with three ridges, adorned with vermilion jewels, and a single-layer crimson robe.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Lord of Registers who Upholds the Law and Extends Life in the Flame Region of Nanyang: wearing a dark-cloud jeweled crown and a cinnabar-patterned skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Supreme Void Lord of Mysterious Heaven, Central Sovereign of the Five Yangs and Five Yins, and Central Radiance of the Grotto’s Limit: wearing a Crown of Far Roaming and a cinnabar brocade skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Grotto-Born Lord who Records the Three Heavens and Oversees Fate, Registers, Peril, and Passage: wearing a jade crown of the Mysterious Dawn and a vermilion-patterned flying skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Southern Pole Great Red Star, the Numinous Treasure Soul and Radiance of Po: wearing a jeweled crown of jade essence and a single-layer crimson robe.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Spirit-Communing Immortal Boy of the Sovereign Balance, Red Yang, and Crimson Zhang: wearing a jade jeweled crown that reaches Heaven and a crimson-patterned flying skirt.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of Earth, Cave of Perfection—the Five-Spirits Jade Boy, Loyal to the Great Stabilizing Primordial Yellow Supreme Simplicity Sovereign Mechanism: wearing his hair in a Flying Horns coiffure and a yellow gauze skirt.

The Mixed-Transformation Lords of the Abyss Grotto: Crowns and Robes

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of the Abyss, Cave of Mystery—the Great Immortal of the Golden City, Radiant Radiance, Primordial Essence, and Primordial Guidance, Son of the Planet Venus: wearing a jeweled jade crown of the Mysterious Dawn and a plain brocade flying robe.

The Supreme Lord’s Immortal Grotto of the Abyss, Cave of Mystery—the Great Star Radiance of the Celestial Mechanism, Bright and Pure, of the Planet Venus: wearing a cloud-roaming jeweled crown and a plain-patterned flying skirt.

This section comes from the Wondrous Scripture of the Great Presence of the Plain Spirit of the Cavern of Truth. It lists several Taishang immortals who dwell in the realms of the “Cavern Abyss and Cavern Mystery” and describes their headwear and garments.

Lord of the White People, Supreme Sovereign of the Luminous Element, Great Yin, Whose Golden Radiance Shines on the Great White: wears a Dark Dawn crown and a white brocade flying skirt.

Solitary Lord of the Lush Origin and Radiant Flower, Spirit of Prolonged Life, Five Luminaries, Great Yin of the Mysterious Cavern of the Great Star: wears a Heaven-Penetrating crown and a dark cloud-brocade skirt.

Lord of the Five Immortals of the Supreme Ultimate, Gate of the Mysterious Cavern of the Luminous Crow: wears a Dark Dawn crown and a skirt patterned with mysterious designs.

Lord of the Radiant Soul and Shining Spirit, Precious Northern Pole, Supreme Emperor of the Great Immortals: wears dark robes.

Jade Youth of the Transformed Radiant Spirit, Supreme Emperor of the Supreme Ultimate, Great Spirit of Mysterious Radiance and Yin Brilliance: wears three-tiered topknots styled like flying clouds and a plain patterned skirt.

Jade Youth of the Spirit of Yin, Plain Yin of the Western Emperor, Shadow of Yin: wears three-tiered topknots styled like drooping clouds and a dark brocade flying skirt.

Jade Maiden of the Golden Tower and Jade Gate, Wing-Bearing Successor of the Great Cavern, Ninefold Guide of the Prolonged Shadow of Great White: wears a drooping-cloud topknot and a white gauze gui (a short jacket or lower garment).

Here, “crown” and “topknot” refer to the headwear worn by divine beings in formal court rites. “Flying skirt,” “brocade skirt,” “dark robes,” and “white gauze gui” are common garment descriptions in Daoist liturgical texts, used to indicate rank, direction, and Yin-Yang attributes. They often appear in visualization practices such as inward contemplation, paying homage to the perfected ones, and Zhaijiao (purification ritual), where practitioners envision the forms of heavenly perfected beings.