Ba Jia Jiang originated from the Southern Han folk beliefs and myths, and usually generally refers to eight members of the godly realm. The general understanding of the origin of Ba Jia Jiang is that it is derived from the existence of eight generals who performed exorcism of evil spirits for the Wufu Emperor (五福大帝). These eight generals became revered as the gods of the underworld, and are represented as the bodyguards or attendants for the temples of the nether Gods such as the Dongyue Emperor (東獄大帝), Yama (King of Hell, 閻羅王) and Cheng Huang (the City Gods, 城隍). Gradually Ba Jia Jiang evolved to appear also as bodyguards to Wang Ye (Royal Lord, 王爺) and Matsu (媽祖), and at many other temples. Later on, believers at those temples dressed up as Ba Jia Jiang in order to defend the Gods. These actions evolved into Taiwanese folk activities, which are part of the Wu Array (Military Array, 武陣) in Din Tao (Taiwanese troupes, 陣頭). Ba Jia Jiang is responsible for the capture of ghosts and evil spirits, bringing safety and good luck, and providing protection. They contain a strong religious nature, and Din Tao (Taiwanese troupes, 陣頭) often seem as mysterious, threatening and serious. Some Ba Jia Jiang members have relations with Taiwanese gangsters.[1]
Ba Jia Jiang is one of the general troupes in Taiwan. The general groups are originated from Shih Jia Jiang (什家將) in Tainan Bai Long An (Tainan White Dragon Temple, 臺南白龍庵), and after spreading to Chiayi Ci Ji Temple (嘉義慈濟宮), the number of Gods in the array becomes four main generals and four Season Gods, that is eight members in total. Therefore, it is called Ba Jia Jiang (The Eight Generals). According to different heritages around different actual situations, the number of Gods can be four, six, eight, ten, twelve or thirteen. The reasons these general groups are named either Shih Jia Jiang or Ba Jia Jiang are due to their heritages. However, nowadays the general media and the public sector call all the general troupes "Ba Jia Jiang".
The number of Gods in Ba Jia Jiang or Shih Jia Jiang is not fixed. The more complete group is with a number of thirteen Gods, and it is also the common type of Ba Jia Jiang in Taiwan's temples. Its members include: Shih Yi (什役), Wen Chai (Civil Official, 文差), Wu Chai (Military Official, 武差), Gan Ye (甘爺), Liu Ye (柳爺), Xie Ye (謝爺), Fan Ye (范爺), the great Spring God (春大神), the Great Summer God (夏大神), the Great Autumn God (秋大神), the Great Winter God (冬大神), Wen Pan Guan (Civil Judger, 文判官) and Wu Pan Guan (Military Judger, 武判官). Their identities and Responsibilities are as follows:
Shih Yi (什役), Wen Chai (Civil Official, 文差) and Wu Chai (Military Official, 武差)
The Front Four Members
Named Bi-An Xie (謝必安), also known as General Xie (謝將軍), Da Ye (First Lord, 大爺), Qi Ye (Seventh Lord, 七爺), Gao Ye (Tall Lord, 高爺) and Zhuo Ye (Catching Lord, 捉爺). He is responsible for catching ghosts and evils.
Wu-Jiu Fan (范無救), also known as the General Fan (范將軍), Er Ye (Second Lord, 二爺), Ba Ye (Eighth Lord, 八爺), Ai Ye (Short Lord, 矮爺) and Na Ye (Arresting Lord, 拿爺). He is responsible for catching ghosts and evils.
The Back Four Members
These four Gods are called The Four Seasons Gods (四季神) and The Four Seasons Emperor (四季帝君). Their identities or surnames and stories have different versions such as General "Hong (洪), Liu (劉), Peng (鵬), Jin (金)", General "Hong (洪), Cao (曹), Feng (馮), Jin (金)", General "He (何), Zhang (張), Xu (徐), Cao (曹)", "Fang (方), Yang (楊), He (何), Sun (孫)" God, "He (何), Yang (楊), Fang (方), Sun (孫)" God and many more.
Wen Pan Guan (Civil Judger, 文判官) and Wu Pan Guan (Military Judger, 武判官)
Wen Pan Guan and Wu Pan Guan are the highest Gods in the medium position of the group. Some troupes do not have these two roles in their troupes.