Kang Jinlong

Kang Jinlong (Chinese: 亢金龙; pinyin: Kàng Jīnlóng; lit. 'The Golden Dragon of Neck') is a star deity from traditional Chinese mythology and astrology. The star god is one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions (二十八宿), specifically the second mansion of the Azure Dragon (青龙), known as Kang (亢). In ancient Chinese cosmology, Kang Jinlong is associated with the Azure Dragon's neck and symbolizes the quintessence of the dragon. Over time, Kang Jinlong has also become a prominent cultural icon in religious art and modern media.

Kang Jinlong was sometimes regarded as a wind spirit and a dragon deity capable of flight and weather manipulation. Ancient Chinese sources describe him as the "essence of the dragon" and refer to his spiritual connection with water and thunder.^[1]

In Chinese astronomy, the Neck Mansion (亢宿亢宿, Kàng Xiù) is located in the modern Western constellation of Virgo. The mansion itself is an asterism composed of four primary stars: Kappa Virginis (κ Vir), Iota Virginis (ι Vir), Phi Virginis (φ Vir), and Lambda Virginis (λ Vir). These stars form the "neck" of the great Azure Dragon. During the Qing dynasty, the asterism was expanded to include twelve additional stars.^[1]

The Neck Mansion holds a significant position as the second station in the Azure Dragon's sequence, following the Horn Mansion (角宿, Jiǎo Xiù) and preceding the Root Mansion (氐宿, Dī Xiù). Its appearance in the night sky was traditionally associated with agricultural activities and seasonal changes.^[1]

Kang Jinlong's true form is that of a dragon and is a representation of the shape of the star mansion, a tradition originating from the ancient night sky. Kang Jinlong is associated with the element of metal (金), which is further subdivided into yin and yang. As a result, the deity has been depicted in both male and female forms, symbolizing the transformation of Kang Jinlong's yin and yang attributes across different spatial orientations and temporal contexts.^[2]

According to the Beidou Gu Fa Wuwei Jing (北斗牿法武威经), Volume 55 of the Wushang Huanglu Dazhai Licheng Yi (无上黄箓大斋立成仪), and Volume 3 of the Daomen Dingzhi (道门定制), the Star Lord of the Kang Mansion governs strong winds in the human world. He is said to reside in the Kaihe Palace, located to the north of the Chen direction (辰北), where he is responsible for receiving those who attain the Dao and complete their path to immortality. He oversees the Gui–Mao (癸卯) pairing from above and is linked to the Gou (姤) hexagram, while from below, he is connected to the Jia–Chen (甲辰) pairing and corresponds to the Cui (萃) hexagram. Furthermore, within the Kang (Neck) Constellation, there is said to be a celestial force of 90,000, composed of Spirit Officials (靈官 Língguān), Divine Immortals (神仙 Shénxiān), and celestial soldiers and horses under his command.^[3]

According to the Yunji Qiqian (云笈七签), the celestial official Yi (乙) is a yin spirit under the authority of Lord Kang. There are four yin spirits, with the surname Fu and the given name Sima. They are described as having horse heads and bare red bodies, dressed in crimson silk garments, and armed with swords. All are under the command of the Lord Kang.^[4]

A passage from the Daoist encyclopedia Sandong Zhunang states:^[5]

"The Second Mansion is Kang (亢宿). In the celestial realm above, it presides over the Wuji (the Infinite) and the Xuwu Ziran (the Void of Spontaneous Being). In the terrestrial realm below, it presides over Lutang Mountain (鹿堂山). The stellar deity of Kang Mansion is designated as Junming (君明). (This mansion is located within the heaven called Xuanming Gongqing Tian (玄明恭庆天), and the name of that heaven's emperor is Longluo Puti (龙罗菩提)."

There are two passages about Lord Kang in the Daoist text Dongshen Wuxing Zhuxiu Riyue Hunchang Jing (太上洞神五星诸宿日月混常经), which state:^[6]

"亢、氏、房三星之精常以寅卯日同行，衣青苍衣，皆乘骢马，游於人众中，或大斋会处。容貌殊异，头上微有紫气，即是求之，多与人救世之术，不令贫苦。"

(Translation): "The essences of the three mansions—Kang (亢), Di (氐), and Fang (房)—often travel together on Yin and Mao days. Dressed in azure robes, they all ride dappled-green horses. They wander among crowds of people or appear at places of grand [Daoist] fasting ceremonies.

Their appearance is extraordinary, and a faint purple aura can be seen above their heads. If you see them, you should seek their favor. They often grant people the arts for saving the world and prevent them from suffering poverty and hardship."

"亢宿天庭星君，上应玄明恭庆天（观明端靖天，去恭庆天四千万气。玄明恭庆天，去极瑶天三千万气。），照临郑国分野，掌海外西天竺国、乾国、罗谢国并九小国，下管人间瘟灾、大风、飚石、百药、国师、三公、五老百官禄秩之司。"

(Translation): "The Lord of the Kang Mansion in the Celestial Court corresponds to the Xuanming Gongqing Heaven (located 40 million qi from Guanming Duanjing Heaven and 30 million qi from Jiyao Heaven).

He shines upon the celestial field associated with the ancient State of Zheng and holds dominion over the overseas kingdoms of Western India, the Kingdom of Qian, the Kingdom of Luoxie, and nine other minor states. In the mortal realm below, he governs matters related to epidemics and plagues, great winds, falling meteors, all medicinal herbs, state preceptors, the Three Dukes (三公), the Five Elders (五老), and the official positions across all ranks of government."

Kang Jinlong appears twice in the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. In Chapter 65, Kang Jinlong is depicted as one of the celestial protectors dispatched by the Jade Emperor to rescue the protagonist, Sun Wukong, who is imprisoned inside magical Golden Cymbals (金铙, jīn náo) wielded by the Yellow-Browed Demon at the Little Thunder Sound Temple (小雷音寺). Kang Jinlong leads a contingent of star deities and heavenly generals, forming a celestial vanguard against the demon forces. To assist in the rescue, Kang Jinlong uses his divine dragon horn to discreetly bore a small hole in the cymbals without breaking them entirely, so as not to alert the demon. Sun Wukong then transforms into a tiny form and escapes through the hole.^[2]

Kang Jinlong appears again in a later episode when Sun Wukong and his companions encounter a trio of formidable rhinoceros demons: the King of Cold Protection (辟寒大王), the King of Heat Protection (辟暑大王), and the King of Dust Protection (辟塵大王). After repeated failed attempts to defeat them, Sun Wukong calls upon the assistance of celestial forces. Kang Jinlong, along with other stellar deities, descends to join the battle. In this episode, Kang Jinlong’s horn is described as possessing a special power capable of breaking the demons’ magical defenses.

One of the most notable representations of Kang Jinlong is found at the Jade Emperor Temple in Zezhou County, Shanxi Province, China. The temple, first constructed during the Northern Song dynasty in 1076, houses a collection of 28 clay sculptures representing the Twenty-Eight Mansions, created by Yuan dynasty artist Liu Yuan (also known as Liu Luan).^[1]

The statue of Kang Jinlong stands approximately 1.92 meters tall and depicts the deity as a fierce, dynamic female figure with flowing garments and a commanding expression.^[1]

In the acclaimed 2024 game Black Myth: Wukong, Kang Jinlong is depicted as a fallen female star god who has succumbed to lust and darkness, becoming a villain. The game's depiction of the character draws heavily from the Yuan dynasty sculptures at the Jade Emperor Temple, sparking renewed public interest in this celestial figure and the rich mythology of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. This resurgence has contributed to increased cultural tourism at the temple.^[2]