Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Devices and Tools: Volume 8

Page Eleven

Diagrams of Fire Monsters

original: "Huo Yao." The term "Yao" implies something monstrous, supernatural, or a calamitous omen. In traditional Chinese thought, these "Fire Monsters" were often unexplained atmospheric phenomena—such as ball lightning, meteors, or glowing gases—that were believed to appear as warnings from Heaven.

The following illustrations depict six distinct types of these fire phenomena. Each is shown as a concentrated orb of energy with jagged, radiating protrusions that represent flickering flames or intense light. In a historical context, seeing such an object was rarely a matter of simple curiosity; it was usually recorded by court officials as a sign of impending social or political upheaval.

The placement of these diagrams within the "Devices and Tools" section, specifically following military hardware, suggests a historical connection between the power of gunpowder weapons and the terrifying power of "heavenly fire." Scholars of the Ming Dynasty often grouped natural disasters and strange phenomena alongside the tools used to manage or defend the state.