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features, but as with all Chinese images there are local variations of which two major ones observed have been:
a. A shiny black Fa Chu Kung with six arms and standing barefoot, holding in his six arms:
(1) a sword held in each of three of them,
(2) a scimitar in one,
(3) a magic ring in one (this is identical to the bracelet of San T'ai Tzu),
(4) the sixth has a hand making the magical sign described above.
He is dressed in flowing golden robes, and has a small snake entwined around the arm with the hand making the magical sign. (Plate 25)
b. A Ch'ao Chow style carving of Fa Chu Kung has two pillars protruding from the base on either side of his body reaching to his waist height, making two "side table" tops on either side of him. On one side, on the "table top", stands a vase and on the other stands a bowl. Otherwise he is exactly as described in the basic description.
The images most likely to be confused with Fa Chu Kung are those of his two brothers which apart from the colour of their faces are identical to his. They have never been observed on an altar without him.* Also possibly confused with Fa Chu Kung is T'ai P'ao or Sha Ho Shang who is described at the end of this article.
Titles
Fa Chu Kung is known by various names or titles than by his best known title of Fa Chu Kung. According to Fukien temple keepers, Fa Chu Kung means the Controlling Duke. There is, however, a Buddhist term, Fa Chu, for the Lord of the Dharma, which is the Buddha himself. It is unlikely that this is the origin of Fa Chu Kung's title, even though several informants have suggested that, as he is black, he was an Indian and was formerly a trader from India. The various titles and names by which he is referred to, are:
a. Fa Chu Sheng Chün 法主聖君
Title given in Mutseh near Taipei to the group of the three brothers, all to be seen on one
* See Plate 26. A Fukienese god-carver's sketch of Fa Chu Kung is at Plate 27.