Chinese Auspiciousness · Door Gods

Author: Compiled by the Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-01
Features: Chinese auspicious art is a vivid cultural phenomenon of the Chinese nation, aimed at warding off evil and seeking good fortune. From daily life aspects such as food, clothing, housing, and transportation, to wedding and funeral customs, as well as life utensils, rituals, prayers, agricultural activities, and festivals, it leaves traces of auspicious culture. In the themes of Chinese folk New Year paintings, the "Door God" has the earliest origin. In ancient times, when science was not yet advanced, people could not correctly understand many phenomena of nature and believed that events like harvests, disasters, and fortune and misfortune were all governed by gods, ghosts, and spirits. Therefore, posting "Door Gods" on doors during the New Year was done to ward off disasters and evil, ensuring the well-being of homes in the coming year. The "Door God" became an important category of New Year paintings. The images of folk "Door Gods" are diverse. The earliest images are the two gods, "Shen Cha" and "Yu Lei," mentioned in Wang Chong's Lunheng, who were said to bind harmful ghosts and feed them to tigers on the "Mount Dusu" in the "Ocean of the Universe." During the Tang Dynasty, the image of Zhong Kui, who was specifically known for capturing evil ghosts, also appeared. Later generations' "Door Gods" mainly included warrior figures such as Yu Chi Gong and Qin Shubao, which are widely recognized. In Buddhist temple halls, pairs of Jinn or heavenly kings are often used as "Door Gods." Additionally, animals like tigers and lions are also frequently depicted as "Door Gods." This issue of postcards features a collection of "Door God" New Year paintings, showcasing a glimpse of the charm of Chinese auspicious art to a broad readership.