Shen Gongbao

Shen Gongbao (申公豹) is a major character featured within the famed classic Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods.^[1] Shen Gongbao is a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, Jiang Ziya's junior fellow apprentice.^[2]

The earliest source of the character Shen Gongbao is in the novel Fengshen Yanyi, but according to some scientific theses from the 2000s in China, the portrayal of Shen Gongbao may have originated from the practice of tiger worship in Jinan that existed long before the appearance of the novel Fengsheng Yanyi.^[3]

In Fengshen Yanyi, Shen Gongbao is good at communication, persuasion, and magic arts in general. He first appeared in Chapter 37 and nearly convinced Jiang Ziya to burn the Investiture through a display of his Taoist sorcery, which allowed him to stay alive even after cutting off his head. The Old Man of the South Pole thwarted his plot by commanding the White Crane Boy (白鹤童子) to turn into a crane and snatch his head away. Upon learning that Shen Gongbao would die if his head was not returned to his body in time, Jiang Ziya pleaded for his life, and he was spared.^[4] Later, Shen Gongbao left Kunlun Mountain to assist King Zhou of Shang to battle the forces of King Wu of Zhou. Still holding a grudge against Jiang Ziya, he convinced many Jie Taoists to join the war in opposition of the Zhou army.

Finally, Shen Gongbao was arrested by his master Yuanshi Tianzun. Shen Gongbao was appointed as the General of East Sea (Chinese: 东海分水将军) in the end. The General of East Sea is one of the gods who manage the East China Sea.^[5][6]

In classical Chinese artwork, Shen Gongbao is frequently depicted as a deity riding a white-foreheaded tiger (白額虎), holding a treasure sword (寶劍) in one hand and a celestial pearl (開天珠) in the other, both possessing the ability to subdue demons. In contrast, in Chinese opera, Shen Gongbao is often portrayed as a deity riding a black panther, with a dark, flowing beard, while one hand is raised high and the other is poised for action.