Huang Feihu () is a character in the Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi). He is a military commander of the Shang dynasty who defects to the Zhou dynasty after King Zhou (Di Xin) causes the deaths of his wife and sister.
At the end of the novel, Huang Feihu is appointed the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak (), with the title . He is given authority over the underworld and over human life, death, and fortune.
Role in the novel
Background and defection
Huang Feihu is the son of the Shang general Huang Gun and the brother of Huang Feibiao, Huang Feibao, and Consort Huang. He holds the title Prince Wucheng Who Guards the Kingdom () and commands Shang forces. His family is described as having served the Shang dynasty for seven generations. He rides a Five-Colored Divine Bull () and uses a spear in battle.
During a New Year's court ceremony, Huang Feihu's wife, Lady Jia (), is brought to the attention of King Zhou through Daji. When King Zhou attempts to approach her, Lady Jia refuses him and jumps from the Star-Plucking Tower, killing herself. Huang Feihu's sister, Consort Huang (), confronts the king and is also thrown from the tower and killed.
After learning of their deaths, Huang Feihu decides to leave the Shang. His retainers Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, and Wu Qian accompany him. Huang Feihu leaves Chaoge with his brothers, sons, retainers, and about 1,000 household soldiers and heads toward Xiqi.
On the journey west, Huang Feihu passes through several Shang military defenses. At Tongguan, he is wounded by Chen Tong and later meets his son Huang Tianhua, who helps him recover.
At Jiepai Pass, Huang Feihu encounters his father Huang Gun, who commands the pass. Huang Gun refuses to let his son pass and orders his troops to capture him and take him back to Chaoge. Huang Gun says that the Huang family has served the Shang for seven generations and accuses Huang Feihu of abandoning his loyalty to the dynasty.
Huang Feihu and his followers eventually leave Jiepai Pass and continue toward Xiqi. Huang Gun later joins them.
Arrival in Xiqi
Huang Feihu reaches Xiqi and meets Jiang Ziya. He explains his reasons for leaving the Shang court, and Jiang Ziya accepts him and his followers.
King Wu receives Huang Feihu and changes his title from Prince Wucheng Who Guards the Kingdom () to Prince Wucheng Who Founds the Kingdom (). Huang Feihu's father, brothers, sons, four retainers, and household soldiers also enter Xiqi.
Huang Feihu later commands Zhou forces in several campaigns. At Qinglong Pass, he leads an army that includes Huang Ming, Zhou Ji, Long Huan, Wu Qian, Huang Feibiao, Huang Feibao, and his sons Huang Tianlu, Huang Tianjue, and Huang Tianxiang.
During the fighting at Qinglong Pass, Huang Tianxiang is captured and killed. Huang Feihu continues fighting at the pass.
Death and deification
Huang Feihu is killed at the Battle of Mianchi by the Shang general Zhang Kui ().
In the final chapter, Huang Feihu is appointed Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, Mount Tai, Equal to Heaven, Benevolent and Sacred (). The novel gives him authority over the eighteen levels of the underworld and states that matters concerning the lives, deaths, transformations, and fortunes of humans and other beings are to be examined through the Eastern Peak.
Characterization
Mark R. E. Meulenbeld describes Huang Feihu as one of the memorable characters in Investiture of the Gods, noting his martial ability and the compassion he shows toward his subjects and enemies. He also discusses Huang Feihu's appointment as the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak and his place among the novel's martial deities.
Worship and folk religion
Huang Feihu is identified with the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak in some Chinese religious contexts. Meulenbeld cites Anne Swan Goodrich's research at the Beijing Eastern Peak Temple in 1930–1932, in which local informants identified the temple's Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak as Huang Feihu.
A 2021 interview with writer Li Tianfei in The Paper describes another example in Shanxi. Li recounts that folklorist Luan Baoqun visited an Eastern Peak Temple where Huang Feihu was worshipped as the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak. Huang Gun, Huang Feihu's father in the novel, was also enshrined at the temple.
A 2025 article in The Paper also discusses the identification of the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak with Huang Feihu at the Beijing Eastern Peak Temple. It cites Goodrich's research and reports that a Daoist priest interviewed there in 1930–1932 identified the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak with Huang Feihu and the deity in the Hall of the Prince of Mount Tai with his eldest son, Huang Tianhua.
A publication on the folk customs of Yuhang records that the local Dongyue Temple identified Dongyue Dadi as Huang Feihu. It states that his birthday was observed on the 28th day of the third lunar month and that a temple fair was held around that date.
Meulenbeld notes that the title of Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak predates Investiture of the Gods and that the novel gives the position to Huang Feihu.
Family and associates Father: Huang Gun () Spouse: Lady Jia () Siblings: Huang Feibiao (), younger brother Huang Feibao (), younger brother Consort Huang (), younger sister, Di Xin's concubine Children: Huang Tianhua (), slain by Gao Jineng Huang Tianlu (), slain by Wu Wenhua Huang Tianjue () Huang Tianxiang () Subordinates: Huang Ming () Zhou Ji () Long Huan () Wu Qian ()
Li Tianfei also describes a local tradition in Gansu involving Huang Feihu. He says that most residents of one village have the surname Huang and claim to be descendants of Huang Feihu. Li notes that Huang Feihu is a fictional character in Investiture of the Gods, but that local residents believe he was a historical person.
See also
Dongyue Dadi Investiture of the Gods Chinese mythology
References