Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work
Lord Zhang is a mystic knight errant - a chivalrous wandering warrior-sorcerer who went about righting wrongs and helping those in need.
He is also known as Fa Zhu Gong/Huat Zhu Gong/法主公 or Master of the Way in recognition of his mystical prowess.
Among his claims to fame include the subjugation of a demonic serpent, which he tamed and turned into his familiar animal.
You can see the serpent coiled around his body if you look closely at statues of him (he is also easily identified by his dark skin, full beard, the magic sword in his right hand and the fire wheels under his feet).
The serpent can transform into a spiritual whip, which he uses to scourge and dispel/destroy evil spirits.
This is the genesis of the 'huat soh' cobra-headed ritual whip that sintua mediums and practitioners crack to purify ritual spaces prior to performing their rites.
Here are pictures of Lord Zhang in statue form, Lord Zhang being channeled by a medium and examples of the huat soh whip.
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