Leigong

Leigong is the formidable Duke of Thunder, supreme marshal of the cosmic storm and the relentless executor of celestial retributive justice in the traditional Chinese pantheon and in Taoism. Enthroned as supreme commander of the Ministry of Thunder (Leibu), he descends riding black storm clouds, with membranous bat wings, the hooked beak of an eagle and steel talons, holding a pointed hammer and a chisel of glowing meteoric iron with which he splits the firmament to punish secret criminals, perjurers, tyrants and undutiful sons who evaded justice among men on earth. Working in perfect celestial harmony with his consort Dianmu (the Lady of Lightning), who lights the target with her clear bronze mirrors to prevent judicial errors, Leigong is also the auspicious announcer of spring's awakening of agriculture at the Jingzhe festival, reviving the fertility of the soil with the powerful voice of his necklace of bronze drums. His sacred hammer and his celestial drums keep the harmony of the cosmic order, guaranteeing fertile rains for the crops and incorruptible justice before Heaven. His stormy strength ensures the uprightness of human conduct.

15 min read · Reviewed on September 28, 2026 · How we research

The hammer, the drums, the bat wings and the bird's beak

Primary sources

• Anônimo, Shan Hai Jing. translation: Anne Birrell, 1999.
• Wang Chong, Lunheng. translation: Alfred Forke, 1907.
• Liu An, Huainanzi. translation: John S. Major, 2010.
• Xu Zhonglin, Fengshen Yanyi. translation: Gu Zhizhong, 1992.

Studies

• Anne Birrell, Chinese Mythology: An Introduction. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993.
• Edward H. Schafer, The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T'ang Exotics. University of California Press, 1963.
• Henri Maspero, Taoism and Chinese Religion. University of Massachusetts Press, 1981.
• Livia Kohn, Daoism and Chinese Culture. Three Pines Press, 2001.