Nezha (Third Prince)

Introduction

Wind-fire wheels under his feet, a fire-tipped spear in his hand, and the ability to dance to electronic music in neon costume: the Third Prince may be the coolest god in the world. He is Nezha from the classic novel Investiture of the Gods, third son of Li Jing, honored in the divine world as the Marshal of the Central Altar. Unlike other gods, he is always a child: a little bib, the Universe Ring, the wind-fire wheels, and energy to spare. But don't be fooled by appearances. The Third Prince is heaven's vanguard, a fearsome fighter who always walks at the very front of temple processions, leading the way to drive off evil. At the opening ceremony of the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, the "Electronic Third Princes" danced to electronic music in neon god costumes and brought the house down; they went on to the Shanghai World Expo, Japan, and the United States, becoming a signature symbol of Taiwanese culture. He is also one of the few gods worshipped in the form of a child. At temple festivals, the Third Prince performers play with children and hand out candy. No god feels closer.

Legend & Origin

The Third Prince's story is extraordinary from the moment he was born.

Li Jing's wife carried him for three years and six months (yes, you read that right), and what she gave birth to was a ball of flesh. Li Jing, terrified, drew his sword and split it open, and out jumped a little boy in a bib, standing on wind-fire wheels. This was Nezha.

From the start, Nezha was trouble. One day he went to bathe by the sea, threw the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea into chaos, and even killed the Dragon King's third son. The Dragon King came to Li Jing's door demanding the boy. With his whole family about to pay for it, Nezha did something earth-shaking: he cut away his bones to return them to his father and his flesh to return it to his mother, using his own life to sever his ties to his parents and shoulder all the blame alone.

Later the immortal Taiyi Zhenren rebuilt him a new body out of lotus flowers. From then on Nezha was no longer flesh and blood but a lotus incarnation: faster, fiercer, and stronger.

That spirit of owning what you've done is probably why Taiwanese love the Third Prince so much. He isn't perfect and he makes trouble, but he takes responsibility.

Worship Guide

What to pray for: children's safety and health, protection from evil, and drive in your career. When you need a push to charge ahead, the Third Prince is your god. If the kids at home are a handful, you can ask him to look after them too.

How to worship: bring candy, cookies, cola, and toys (he is a child, after all, and loves sweet and fun things). The three sacrificial meats are fine too, but he prefers snacks. When you offer incense and say your prayer, you can be a little lively; no need to be stiff. Some temples even let you leave a toy car on the altar as an offering. The Third Prince's altar may be the most fun one in Taiwan.

The one taboo: don't disrespect him just because he looks like a child. He is the Marshal of the Central Altar, and his fighting power is first-rate among the gods.

Festivals

The 9th day of the 9th lunar month is the Marshal of the Central Altar's birthday. Third Prince temples everywhere hold lively processions, and the energetic Electronic Third Prince performances are the highlight, blending traditional temple troupes with modern electronic music into a temple-festival culture unique to Taiwan.

Famous Temples

⛩️ Xinying Taizi Temple Details →

Tainan City

The head temple and founding ancestral temple of the Marshal of the Central Altar, with branch temples everywhere; its old temple building is a Tainan City monument.