The High Abbess is a senior authority figure in the spiritual realm depicted in the film Saga of the Phoenix. She is portrayed as a stern and adamant leader who, alongside Abbott Ji Ku, holds the responsibility of maintaining order and enforcing the laws that govern otherworldly beings, particularly those who cross into the human world. Her primary role is that of a guardian of spiritual protocol, and she approaches her duties with a strict, unwavering demeanor.

Her primary motivation in the story is the protection of the human world from supernatural threats, specifically centered on the fate of Ashura, the Hell Virgin. After Ashura is caught practicing magic on Earth, the High Abbess argues for a permanent and harsh solution to this breach of cosmic law. She is adamant that Ashura cannot remain on Earth and sentences her to an eternity of imprisonment inside a giant Buddha statue. While Abbott Ji Ku shows pity for the young Ashura and grants her a seven-day reprieve to roam the human world, the High Abbess's stance is defined by caution and a belief that it is better to be safe than sorry when dealing with such powerful, hell-spawned entities. She enforces this position by taking action beyond the Abbott’s more lenient decree; she dispatches three highly skilled subordinates known as the Moon, Star, and Sun Abbesses to shadow Ashura, with the directive to kill her if she fails to earn the right to a soul within the allotted time.

The High Abbess’s key relationships are primarily defined by her interactions with other spiritual leaders and her subordinates. Her dynamic with Abbott Ji Ku is central to the film’s early conflict, as they hold differing opinions on how to handle Ashura. While both are authorities of the same order, she represents the strict, unyielding letter of the law in contrast to his more sagely and compassionate judgment. She also acts as a commander to the three nuns who serve as her agents in the field, demonstrating her authority and willingness to see her severe judgment carried out.

Regarding her development, the High Abbess does not undergo a significant personal transformation within the story. She remains a fixed, authoritative force whose decisions create the central framework for Ashura’s trial. Her character serves as an obstacle and a source of tension, setting the rules and consequences that drive the narrative forward rather than evolving herself. Her notable abilities are not explicitly demonstrated through combat or magic, but her power lies in her spiritual authority and her capacity to command other powerful warriors. Her stern judgment and the armed force she commands are the primary tools she uses to influence the events of the film.