Generally speaking, the "eight household generals" include an "external squad" of four, surnamed Kan, Liu, Hsieh and Fan, who are responsible for arrest and punishment, followed by an "internal squad" made up of the spirits of the four seasons, who are responsible for investigation and interrogation.
一般所謂的八家將是指甘、柳、謝、范四將為「外班」，負責捉拿與刑罰；之後是春、夏、秋、冬四季神為「內班」，負責盤查審問。