The "eight" of the eight generals is actually just a common name. In the past, only boys with strong skills and good conduct could be selected.

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[Reporter Chen Fengli/Report from Nantou] Many palaces and temples are already preparing for the activities of "Xiao Mazu" in the third month of the lunar calendar, but who are the "eight generals" in the front row?

The Taiwan Archives of the National History Museum made a special introduction to the article on the Facebook fan page, emphasizing that the eight generals are also called "Shijia generals". The "eight" of the eight generals is a common name. , you must be physically fit and of good conduct to be selected.

The Taiwan Archives of the National History Museum in Zhongxing Xincun is a dedicated institution for preserving Taiwan-related historical and political documents. The archives of the Taiwan Governor-General's Office during the Japanese occupation period is one of them. The museum recently introduced the main characters in the battle on its Facebook page. Eight Generals".

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The Archives pointed out that the Eight Generals, also known as the Shijia Generals, played the role of guards and attendants of the main god during the tour of the gods. Their duties were to drive away shocks, calm the mind, eliminate evil spirits, and catch ghosts.

Therefore, the members who serve as family generals must open their faces, wear divine clothes, and wear divine crowns, shed their mundane identities, and transform into divine generals. Adhere to the discipline of the gods, such as: being a vegetarian and abstaining from womanizing.

Which eight generals are the "eight generals"?

The Taiwan Archives stated that "eight" is just a customary name, and the number of members in the battle varies, but the basic mission of the members is to be captured by Generals Fan and Xie (ie, Seventh Lord and Eighth Lord), and generals Gan and Liu to execute the punishment. Gods (spring, summer, autumn, winter) torture, so there are eight.

The eight generals have majestic and gloomy faces, glaring eyes, wearing helmets and robes, wearing straw sandals, holding fans in their outer hands, and holding various magical weapons and tokens in their inner hands. mean.

Sometimes the Bajia will add black flag generals, holding black flags in their hands, as the gods who open the way.

The Taiwan Archives also said that the eight families originated from the fact that the early villagers used their farming time to go to Miaokou to practice the master formation. First, they practiced martial arts to strengthen their bodies, and second, they could unite the centripetal force of the village.

In the past, not everyone could play the role of the generals of the Eight Schools. Only males with strong skills and good conduct could be selected. At that time, it was a sign of honor to be able to travel around the country with the gods.