Bao Zheng, commonly known as Bao Gong, was a Chinese politician during the reign of Emperor Renzong in China's Song Dynasty. During his twenty-five years in civil service, Bao was known for his honesty and uprightness, with actions such as impeaching an uncle of Emperor Renzong's favourite concubine and punishing powerful families. His appointment from 1057 to 1058 as the prefect of Song's capital Kaifeng, where he initiated a number of changes to better hear the grievances of the people, made him a legendary figure. During his years in office, he gained the honorific title Justice Bao due to his ability to defend peasants and commoners against corruption or injustice. Bao Zheng is depicted as the incarnation of the Astral God of Civil Arts, while another protagonist — famous Northern Song warrior Di Qing as the Astral God of Military Arts.

In East Asian and Buddhist mythology, Yama or King Yan-lo/Yan-lo Wang, also known as King Yan/Yan Wang, Grandfatherly King Yan, Lord Yan, and Yan-lo, Son of Heaven, is the King of Hell and a dharmapala said to judge the dead and preside over the Narakas and the cycle of saṃsāra.