Black & White Impermanence
(Hei Bai Wu Chang)
Story & Myth
Black and white impermanence (also known as impermanence, 7th master and 8th master) are a pair of gods in the traditional folk culture of the Han nationality, and they are also the most famous ghost messengers. They are both white impermanence and black impermanence. White impermanence is named Xie Bi An, tall and thin, with pale complexion and a long tongue; black impermanence is called Fan Wu Jiu, with a fierce face, a wide and fat body, a small and black face. These two gods are with handcuff and legcuff, which they are dedicated to arresting ghosts and assisting in rewarding the good while punishing the evil. They are the subordinates of the underworld gods such as King Yama, Cheng Huang, and Emperor Dong Yue. Black and White Impermanence are well-known gods among the people because they frequently "go up to the world" for believers to solve their worries. The two donned long robes and high hats in white and black, with the inscriptions "Fortune at first sight" and "Peace in the World" inscribed on the hats, respectively.
The Story
The name of White Impermanence is Xie Bi An, also known as the Seventh Master, while the name of Black Impermanence is Fan Wu Jiu, also known as the Eighth Master. Xie and Fan are claimed to have been best friends since childhood. It was raining one day as the two went for a walk under the Nan Tai Bridge. The eighth master was told to wait while the seventh master went home to grab an umbrella. The downpour poured and the river surged unexpectedly after the seventh master left. The ninth master did not want to miss the appointment, and he was finally drowned due to his tiny height. Soon after, the seventh master returned with an umbrella, but he realised that the eighth master had disappeared. The seventh master was depressed, so he hanged himself from a bridge pillar (that is why the images of Bai Wu Chang is with a long red tongue). Because of their faithfulness, the Lord of Jia Xun instructed them to arrest the lawless spirits in front of the City God Lord. Some people say that Xie Bi An means that he will be at peace if he rewards the gods; Fan Wu Jiu means that those who break the law have no salvation. Of course, this is all based on legend. The King of Hell thought Xie and Fan were loyal and righteous when they arrived to the King of Hell's Palace, so they were given the names Black and White Impermanent.
