Black Command Flag

The making of a black command flag uses a bamboo pole with a piece of black square or triangular cloth. Some write a summoning immortal talisman or purification talisman on the black cloth; others use the character "令" (command). The bamboo pole and black cloth must be consecrated before they can be used. The black command flag can also be said to be a spiritual flag. The author believes that the best placement for the black command flag is in a temple dedicated to the Queen Mother of the West on a lotus. The consecration of the command flag is the most important matter. Often, the spiritual power of a command flag can be seen from the consecration that empowers it. The power of the black command flag is very important. It is used for summoning and adjusting deities.

If we wish to summon deities or spirits, light an incense stick, face the black command flag and pray, inserting the incense into the black command flag. Its effect is more rapid than ordinary deity summoning. Some experts place three cups of fragrant tea below the black command flag, which is for passing deities to quench their thirst. Therefore, the black command flag has the function of summoning and adjusting deities. If a black command flag is installed in front of or behind a temple, one must务必 (must) keep the nearby area clean. Do not casually allow unclean hands to touch it; this would be extremely disrespectful.

If talismans are bound or attached to the black command flag, one can use the summoning immortal talisman and the opening hall talisman.

For installing the Five Camps' soldiers: In past spiritual altars or temples, there were commanders and soldiers of the Five Camps, namely the front, back, left, right, and center Five Camps. Whether Heavenly Soldiers and Generals or Yin Soldiers and Generals, they can be installed above the black command flag. If installing Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, one can use five-colored auspicious gold; if installing Yin Soldiers and Generals, one can use "gao qian" (tall coins). But remember not to remove all the bamboo leaves from the bamboo pole; the bamboo leaves can borrow the existence of spiritual energy. So when we see auspicious gold or "gao qian" hanging from a black command flag, we can know that this is a black command flag for installing the Five Camps' soldiers. This can replace the older style of worshipping the Five Spiritual Flags and the five camp general deity portraits. The Five Spiritual Flags are divided into five colors: white, yellow, green, red, and black. White represents Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, red represents the Orthodox Deities of the Thunder Department, yellow represents the Ten Great Marshals, green represents protective divine soldiers, and black represents Yin Soldiers and Generals. Some also use green to invite the Six Ding and Six Jia deities. The functions are all similar. The Five Camps' soldiers have the functions of protecting the altar and reconnaissance.

For leading and purification: When general deities' palanquins go on patrol, the places the palanquin passes through are mostly swept and led by black command flags. The main meaning is to drive away all evil spirits, so that all evil impurities do not interfere with the deity's patrol. Therefore, the black command flag is often held by one person, waving it back and forth in front of the divine palanquin. This is leading and purification.