"Nezha 2" Fever Sweeps the Globe: What Does the Third Prince Govern?

The Chinese animated blockbuster Nezha: The Devil Child Troubled In The Sea has seen its popularity skyrocket since its release, with the "Nezha whirlwind" captivating audiences worldwide! After months of eager anticipation, Malaysian fans finally received exciting news: Nezha 2 will hit cinemas nationwide on March 13, 2025, marking a historic moment for the franchise's global reach.

But how well do you know the legend of Nezha? Are you more familiar with the temples of Nezha or the temples of the Third Prince in Malaysia? What does the Third Prince protect? How do devotees worship him?

The Origin and Evolution of Nezha

The figure of Nezha traces its earliest documented roots to Central Asian Buddhism, likely originating from Persian mythological traditions. Scholars hypothesize a connection to Nowzar, the son of the seventh king of the Pishdadian dynasty in the Persian epic Shahnameh (Book of Kings).

In Buddhist narratives, Nezha is depicted as a youthful celestial deity (possibly derived from ancient Persian divinity) endowed with formidable magical powers and a steadfast protector of Buddhist teachings. He is described as a descendant of Vaisravana (Bishamonten). Within Buddhist texts, the deity is referred to as Nalakuvara, also transliterated as "Nazha Jubolo" or "Nazha Jufaluo," which later evolved into the simplified name "Nazha" or "Nezha". Nezha is traditionally regarded as the third son of Vaisravana, serving as a divine guardian and war deity who accompanies his father in safeguarding Buddhist doctrines. Some scriptures alternatively identify him as Vaisravana's grandson. Vaisravana himself originates from the Hindu deity Kubera, the god of wealth and king of yakshas (nature spirits), who is said to be the grandson of Brahma, the creator god in Hindu cosmology.

Commonly revered as Prince Nezha, this divine figure holds numerous honorific titles in Taoist cosmology, including Marshal of the Central Altar, Marshal Li, Lord Prince, Third Prince, Duke Nezha, Marshal Prince, Heavenly King of the Fiery Wheels, Grand Preceptor of the Celestial Realm, Magnificent General of Divine Might, and Great Deity of the Three Altars and Oceanic Assembly.

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In Taoist belief, Nezha bears the surname Li and is the third son of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, with two elder brothers, Jinzha and Muzha. He is celebrated as one of the Jade Emperor’s foremost generals, commanding the Five Battalion Divine Troops. Worshipped widely across Chinese communities, Nezha is prominently featured in folklore and literary classics such as the Ming-era mythical novels Journey to the West and Investiture of the Gods. The latter reimagines him as a disciple of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, diverging from earlier narratives.

Historical records reveal Nezha’s role as a Taoist guardian deity dates back to the Song dynasty. By the Ming era, texts like Sanjiao Soushen Daquan expanded his lore, portraying him as the Grand Golden Immortal under the Jade Emperor’s celestial court. Reborn as Li Jing’s son, Nezha’s tumultuous mortal life included inadvertently slaying a dragon deity and the son of the Stone Matron, for which the Stone Matron accused him.

To spare his family from divine retribution, Nezha chose self-sacrifice. His soul, adrift in anguish, sought salvation from Sakyamuni Buddha. Moved by his resolve, the Buddha resurrected him through a transcendent lotus, imbuing him with celestial powers. Thus reborn, Nezha wielded his newfound might to vanquish demons, quell chaos, and ascend as a paramount guardian of Buddhist teachings, earning titles such as Grand Preceptor of the Celestial Realm and Magnificent General of Divine Might. The Jade Emperor honored him as First Commander of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals.

Nezha’s legend has ignited imaginations for centuries, immortalized in countless novels, operas, and modern adaptations like Investiture of the Gods, Journey to the West, and The Creation of the Gods. The world is no stranger to Nezha—the heroic, fiery-haired deity who wielded a flame-tipped spear, soared on wind-fire wheels and wreaked havoc on the East Sea.

What Does the Third Prince Govern? How to Worship the Third Prince?

While many worship deities like the God of Wealth or Tudigong for fortune, devotees also enshrine Nezha in homes and businesses to unlock abundance and amplify financial luck. His divine influence extends to empowering careers, shielding workplaces from misfortune, and safeguarding travelers on perilous journeys.

Nezha’s legendary tools—the Wind-Fire Wheels and Universe Ring—embody his celestial might. With their left wheel conjuring gales and the right spewing flames, the Wind-Fire Wheels grant him lightning-speed flight across heavens and earth. This mythic prowess has made him a guardian deity for drivers, who often place his statue in vehicles to invoke protection.

The 9th day of the 9th lunar month, Nezha’s celestial birthday, is considered the most potent time to petition him for wealth, career success, and protection. It is customary to prepare offerings, toys, and Indian sandalwood incense, which is believed to attract wealth. Prayer to the Three Princes is also part of the tradition, and is said to bring good fortune, career success and safe travel.

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