《道法會元》Vol. 238

This passage describes the divine generals and their summoning talismanic incantations recorded in the Qingwei Xiling Chongming Danhua Dafa (Great Method of the Western Numinous Chongming and Golden Florescence) of the Qingwei lineage, an important Daoist school. It consists of three main sections:

First is the depiction of Marshal Zhao (the folk deity Zhao Gongming, popularly known as the God of Wealth): His face appears iron-black with round eyes and thick beard, wearing an iron headscarf bound with a yellow forehead ribbon. Clad in golden armor with an overrobe and green boots, he wields an iron whip in his right hand while grasping an iron chain in his left, accompanied by a black tiger. His full title—"Supporting Heaven's Vast Sageliness, Revered Wonder of Western Numinosity, Jade Primordial Cavern's Pure Flowing Harmony, Soaring Spirit True Lord"—demonstrates his elevated status within the Daoist pantheon.

Next are descriptions of four directional generals: General Zhou Liangfu of the East has a blue face with yellow hair and three eyes, armored in iron while wielding an axe; General Wu Chang of the South bears a purple complexion with red hair and four eyes, holding a blade accompanied by a crimson serpent; General Zhong Bin of the West appears white-faced with blue hair, carrying bow and arrows; General Tang Zhong of the North shows a black visage with furious expression, gripping a fiery wheel. All wear iron helmets and armor, their attire colors corresponding to their respective directions (blue, red, white, black).

Finally are instructions for using summoning talismans: To invoke Marshal Zhao, one must draw the talisman while chanting "Danrong Yuqin, I reverently invite Zhao [X] to descend swiftly." For dealing with thieves, the "Taiqing Danhua Lightning Command Talisman" should be written with black ink on yellow paper or with dark ink on red paper. Disaster-averting talismans require writing Zhao Gongming's name within a circle while reciting spirit-invocation incantations. These talismans are primarily used in Daoist ritual practices like exorcism and calamity prevention.

The term "Danhua" (Golden Florescence) refers to the spiritual radiance appearing during Neidan (internal alchemy) practice, while "Xiling" (Western Numinosity) represents the western divine system—reflecting Daoism's characteristic integration of directional symbolism, the Five Phases (Wuxing), and deity worship.

This records the methods for using Daoist fulu (talismanic symbols employed for exorcism and healing). When inscribing a talisman, one must write the names of divine generals (Daoist guardian deities) within specific circular designs—for instance, the Zhao-named divine general used to expel various demons and malevolent spirits. These evil entities include different categories of ghosts such as "Kui," "Gou," "Xiao," and others.

Healing talismans can be ingested or applied externally, while childbirth talismans are specifically designed to assist delivery. During inscription, the divine general's name must be written seven times within the circle while silently reciting incantations, ensuring the talisman's power flows unobstructed—as smooth as loosening a garment belt—before concluding the stroke downward.

The Xiling talisman follows a similar method: the divine general's name is written seven times within the circle to summon ghosts ranging from "Kui" to "Piao," then channeling the energy of the Tiangang star (one of the Big Dipper's seven stars, revered in Daoism for its potent spiritual power). Finally, the talisman is empowered with the "Three Heavens Taboo Names" (the secret appellations of the Daoist supreme Sanqing deities) and completed by overlaying it with a "fire brush" (likely referring to a cinnabar brush).