Heibai Wuchang

The Messengers of Death

White-faced and black-faced soul-catchers of the underworld in folk processions.

The Black and White Impermanence are the two soul-catchers who escort the dead to the underworld. White Impermanence, tall and smiling, meets souls gently; Black Impermanence, short and stern, binds those who resist. Their names — Xie Bi’an and Fan Wujiu — pun on “thank you for peace” and “no salvation,” turning death’s messengers into folk riddles of fate.