The Ten Kings of Hell 十殿阎王 the Ten Kings of the Underworld

The Ten Kings of Hell 十殿阎王 the Ten Kings of the Underworld

Paul Peng
The Ten Kings of Hell, also known as "the Ten Kings of the Underworld", are the rulers of the ten halls in hell and in charge of the cycle of reincarnation.


  • The First Hall: Yama King Jiang (Guangming King Jiang Ziwen), whose birthday is on the 1st day of the 2nd lunar month (or the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month according to another saying). He is specifically responsible for the lifespan, birth, death, good and bad fortune of all beings in the human world.
  • The Second Hall: Yama King Li of Chu River, with his birthday on the 1st day of the 3rd lunar month. He is in charge of the Living Great Hell, namely the Ice Hell.
  • The Third Hall: Yama King Yu of Song (Sovereign Bright King of Song), born on the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month. He oversees the Black Rope Great Hell.
  • The Fourth Hall: Yama King Lü of the Five Offices (Official Bright King), whose birthday falls on the 18th day of the 2nd lunar month. He is responsible for the Combined Great Hell, i.e., the Blood Pond Hell.
  • The Fifth Hall: Yama King Bao (Yama Emperor Bao Zheng), born on the 8th day of the 1st lunar month. He presides over the Crying Great Hell.
  • The Sixth Hall: Yama King Bi of Biancheng, with his birthday on the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month. He is in charge of the Great Crying Hell and the City of Unjust Deaths.
  • The Seventh Hall: Yama King Dong of Mount Tai, born on the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month. He oversees the Noisy Hell, also called the Meat Paste Hell.
  • The Eighth Hall: Yama King Huang of the Metropolis, whose birthday is on the 1st day of the 4th lunar month. He is responsible for the Great Noisy Hell, namely the Stuffy Pot Hell.
  • The Ninth Hall: Yama King Lu the Equal, born on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. He presides over the Iron Net Avici Hell.
  • The Tenth Hall: Yama King Xue, the Wheel-Turning King of the Five Paths, with his birthday on the 17th day of the 4th lunar month. He is specifically tasked with handling the ghosts sent from each hall, distinguishing between good and evil, determining their grades, and sending them to be reincarnated.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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