Interethnic Interaction, Exchange, and Integration: A Layered Study of the Erlang Shen Image in Guanxian

Abstract

 The legend of Erlang Shen has been widely circulated in Southwest China, with Guanxian Ancient Town (present-day Dujiangyan, Sichuan) being one of the key birthplaces of his worship. At the local Erwang Temple, Han, Tibetan, Qiang, and other ethnic believers have worshipped together for generations, a phenomenon of multi-ethnic shared belief that warrants in-depth investigation. Drawing on field observations, interviews, and historical documents, this article examines how key symbols in the Erlang Shen image—the third eye, the Howling Dog, and the Trident Blade—have been disseminated, interpreted, and reinterpreted among different ethnic groups. It further explores how the diachronic evolution of these images has contributed to ethnic integration. The study finds that the third eye simultaneously carries Han Chinese "heavenly eye" concepts, Di-Qiang "vertical eye" traditions, and Tibetan protector deity beliefs. Similarly, the Howling Dog and the Trident Blade hold plural meanings across traditions. Rather than generating conflict, these diverse interpretations have enabled ethnic groups to forge an identity of "unity in diversity" through shared worship. The Guanxian case demonstrates that the formation of the Chinese national community is not about eliminating differences but about finding common ground within them, offering a concrete reference for understanding the historical path of interethnic interaction, exchange, and integration in Southwest China.