{"id":5300,"date":"2026-04-27T10:36:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/zhong-kui\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:32:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:32:33","slug":"zhong-kui","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/zhong-kui\/","title":{"rendered":"Zhong Kui"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"5300\" class=\"elementor elementor-5300 elementor-2007 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10fdade e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"10fdade\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-herohlft0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"herohlft0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3ceb64 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c3ceb64\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96ae5e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"96ae5e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui, God of the Chinese Tradition<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e45238a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e45238a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zhong Kui is a god of the Chinese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The passing on of knowledge and narratives across generations.\" tabindex=\"0\">tradition<\/span>.<\/p><p><strong>The <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effects are attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demon<\/span> hunter, terror of evil <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A bodiless being to which agency in the world is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">spirits<\/span>, protector of the night.<\/strong> Zhong Kui is one of the most popular protective deities of China, not by imperial commission, but through popular recognition of his power against evil spirits (*yao* and *gui*).<\/p><p>With a grotesque and wild appearance, blue skin, hair standing on end, a sharp-toothed laugh, he is frightening, but only to evil.<\/p><p>The <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span> says: a gifted general was unjustly executed, returned as a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An incorporeal being to which an effect upon the world is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">spirit<\/span> and took it upon himself to hunt down all <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demons<\/span> and damned souls.<\/p><p>Ever since, millions of Chinese have hung his portrait on their doors, not for <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The linguistic turning of a person toward a deity.\" tabindex=\"0\">prayer<\/span>, but as an effective deterrent.<p>Zhong Kui is China&#8217;s legendary demon hunter and popular protective god.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-klsbdg01 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"klsbdg01\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-klshtm01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"klshtm01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iwg-pill-row\"><span class=\"iwg-klasse-badge\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"God \/ goddess: personified supreme power within the pantheon of a culture, with clear areas of responsibility, forces of nature, fate, war, fertility. Venerated through cults, sacrifices and temple institutions.\">God<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/china\/\" class=\"iwg-kultur-badge\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"Chinese religion of gods, spirits and folk belief, Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian.\">China<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f74855 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f74855\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c30362 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"1c30362\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;Es wurden keine \\u00dcberschriften auf dieser Seite gefunden.&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-circle&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;,&quot;rendered_tag&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 512 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;},&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__1c30362\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__1c30362\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__1c30362\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-herorght0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"herorght0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-heroimg00 iwg-hero-image elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"heroimg00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_china_zhong-kui-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5301\" alt=\"Zhong Kui - Gods from the Chinese tradition, historical-illustrative\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_china_zhong-kui-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_china_zhong-kui-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_china_zhong-kui-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_china_zhong-kui.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32917199 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"32917199\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26e916cb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26e916cb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-253a40d4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"253a40d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1200c304 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1200c304\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-159dcf9a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"159dcf9a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48cee66f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48cee66f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">At a Glance: Zhong Kui<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f50d82c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f50d82c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Type:<\/strong> Chinese principal <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>, demon hunter and <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Warding off evil: of signs and objects intended to keep harmful influences away.\" tabindex=\"0\">apotropaic<\/span> protective god<br><span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the gods of a religion or culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">Pantheon<\/span>: <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Chinese religious-philosophical tradition oriented toward the Dao, the Way.\" tabindex=\"0\">Daoism<\/span>, Chinese folk <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The academic discipline that studies religions comparatively and without confessional commitment.\" tabindex=\"0\">religion<\/span><br>Function: driving away demons, protection at the New Year, patron of examination candidates<br>Principal attributes: black full beard, red official&#8217;s robe, sword, captured demon&#8217;s head<br>Principal <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of religious acts of veneration for a deity or sacred figure.\" tabindex=\"0\">cult<\/span> sites: Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A structure that serves the veneration of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span> in Anhui, in every Chinese house entrance as a door image<br>Tradition: centrally <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The petitioning or invoking address to a deity or power.\" tabindex=\"0\">invoked<\/span> at the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18613602 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18613602\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-262b8a9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"262b8a9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Context<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46dcb7d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"46dcb7d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61d3ab3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"61d3ab3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-117c166 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"117c166\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Period of the Texts<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73997a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"73997a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zhong Kui (Chinese <em>Zh&#333;ng Ku&iacute;<\/em>) first appears in the Tang dynasty (7th to 10th century AD).<\/p><p>Main legend: an examination candidate who, despite outstanding performance, is not admitted to the imperial civil service because of his ugly appearance, takes his own life out of honour, and is appointed king of the demon hunters in the afterlife.<\/p><p>Main flourishing period: Tang to Ming dynasty. Today still widespread in every Chinese house entrance as a door image, especially at the Chinese New Year and at the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie). In modern Chinese popular culture (films, games, anime) extremely widespread.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d47b156 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d47b156\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff38c2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff38c2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Area of Distribution<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e49fcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e49fcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Principal cult sites: <strong>Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A structure that serves the veneration of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span><\/strong> in Anhui (his supposed birthplace), <em>Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A structure that serves the veneration of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span><\/em> in Pingyao (Shanxi). More frequent than <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Handed over to the sacred through a religious act and thereby set apart from the everyday.\" tabindex=\"0\">dedicated<\/span> <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A structure that serves the veneration of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span>: the door-image tradition. Images of Zhong Kui are hung at house entrances to ward off demons.<\/p><p>At the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie, 5th day of the 5th month) he is especially invoked, because this day is regarded as dangerous for demonic intruders. In the Taiwanese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of religious acts of veneration for a deity or holy figure.\" tabindex=\"0\">cult<\/span> he is venerated under the designation &#8220;Lord of Demons&#8221; (Da Wang).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db03c39 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"db03c39\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-229a87b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"229a87b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f471fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f471fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Source Situation<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36b1201 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"36b1201\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Central sources: Tang sources (anecdotes at the court of Emperor Xuanzong, who saw Zhong Kui in a dream and had him painted), <em>Zhong Kui legend<\/em> collections from the Song dynasty onward.<\/p><p>Pictorial tradition: Wu Daozi&#8217;s Zhong Kui image (Tang period, lost), numerous later painters. Secondary literature: Werner, <em>Myths and Legends of China<\/em>; Bordahl, <em>The Eternal Storyteller<\/em>; Cahill, <em>Chinese Painting<\/em>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ae0637c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3ae0637c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31d07739 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"31d07739\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Name and Variants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7642947 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b7642947\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a086266 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a086266\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zhong Kui is terrifying and fearsome: blue or black skin, a red, distorted face with a large, wrathful laugh. His hair stands on end as though electrified.<\/p><p>He is often shown with a broad sword or whip, which he uses against demons. Especially characteristic: in his arms or at his feet are captured demons, often shamed or made small.<\/p><p>His portrait is widely found on doors and walls, not as a delicate work of art, but as an effective <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Practices that seek to intervene in the course of events through special actions or formulas.\" tabindex=\"0\">magical<\/span> threat to evil. While other deities are majestic, Zhong Kui is deliberately ugly and wild; his power lies in ferocity, not in dignity. Swords, capturing tools and captured demons surround him.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-709a44a8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"709a44a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f585873 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2f585873\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Description<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70621c12 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"70621c12\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4296eb49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4296eb49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zhong Kui is a purely practical protective god, with no <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The academic study of God and the doctrines of a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">theological<\/span> role in heaven or hell, but rather the defender of the house against supernatural intruders.<\/p><p>His portrait on the door is a warning signal: the demon hunter is watching, you are not welcome. At the New Year festival, Zhong Kui portraits are hung up anew, a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An ordered sequence of symbolic acts with religious or cultural meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">ritual<\/span> renewal of his mandate.<\/p><p>In southern China, Zhong Kui processions take place, in which performers embody the role and simulate demon traps. Buddhist <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A structure that serves the veneration of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span> and Daoist <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sacred place dedicated to the veneration of a deity.\" tabindex=\"0\">sanctuaries<\/span> acknowledge Zhong Kui, but not hierarchically; he is an agent against evil, not a central <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>.<\/p><p>Popular veneration is not devout, but practical: people trust Zhong Kui not out of love, but out of conviction in his effectiveness.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44e71476 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"44e71476\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c1fc3f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3c1fc3f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Profile: Zhong Kui<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84f33b8e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"84f33b8e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-hqkdc67p elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"hqkdc67p\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The most important aspects of Zhong Kui at a glance. The following fields summarise origin, function, appearance, veneration, symbols and cultural parallels.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pemmx7c5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"pemmx7c5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pemmx7c1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"pemmx7c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-qh9oavvu iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"qh9oavvu\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-awzx8k2k elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"awzx8k2k\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tradition<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-x6rowhv0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"x6rowhv0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>According to <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span>, Zhong Kui was a Tang-period scholar from Shaanxi (or Anhui) who passed the imperial examinations with the highest performance, but was not appointed by the emperor because of his ugly appearance (too dark, too powerfully built, too wild). Out of honour and despair he dashed his head against the palace pillar.<\/p><p>In the afterlife his <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An incorporeal being to which an effect upon the world is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">spirit<\/span> was appointed king of the demon hunters by the <em>Yuhuang<\/em> (Jade Emperor); he is to catch and destroy all evil spirits.<\/p><p>In some versions he appears to Emperor Xuanzong (8th century AD) in a dream and drives away a demon that is troubling the emperor, whereupon the emperor has his image hung at the house entrances as protection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e3o4kxs iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8e3o4kxs\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08rkdgov elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"08rkdgov\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Addressees<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-uwjelx8s elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"uwjelx8s\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Patron of the driving away of demons. Protection against illness (especially in early summer), evil spirits, intruders. In the personal household cult, hung up as a door image at the New Year and at the Duanwu Jie.<\/p><p>Patron of examination candidates (he himself was a candidate unjustly rejected); young students pray to him before examinations. In modern Chinese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Religious ideas and customs that are widespread in everyday life.\" tabindex=\"0\">folk belief<\/span> he remains popular as a door image.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-jm2n74ec iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"jm2n74ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8vufse4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8vufse4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui's Appearance<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mwb9u015 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mwb9u015\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Characteristically depicted as a powerful, bearded male figure with a <strong>black full beard<\/strong>, dark hair, and a wild facial expression (eyes opened wide, sometimes one of them enlarged). He wears a <strong>red official&#8217;s robe<\/strong> with dragon embroidery (a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in place of an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span> of his posthumous appointment) and an official&#8217;s hat.<\/p><p>In the right hand a <strong>demon hunter&#8217;s sword<\/strong>, in the left often a severed demon&#8217;s head or a captured demon. He is frequently shown riding a tiger or accompanied by small demons that serve him.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pemmx7c2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"pemmx7c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37ss2yr6 iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37ss2yr6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3v0wp3wx elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3v0wp3wx\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Function<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-w3247g2m elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"w3247g2m\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Sphere of effect:<\/strong> Zhong Kui is venerated in every Chinese house entrance as a door image, one of the most popular door-image traditions of China. At the Chinese New Year and at the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie) his image is renewed or hung up anew.<\/p><p>Examination candidates pray to him before examinations. In the personal illness <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of religious acts of veneration for a deity or holy figure.\" tabindex=\"0\">cult<\/span> there is <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The petitioning or conjuring address to a deity or power.\" tabindex=\"0\">invocation<\/span> for protection against demonic causers of illness. In modern popular culture (films, anime) very frequent; his image is one of the most iconic of East Asian <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the transmitted tales of the gods of a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0qpjal9w iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0qpjal9w\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ndoih0o elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6ndoih0o\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui's Means of Defence<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6684tyh9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6684tyh9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Black full beard, red official&#8217;s robe, demon hunter&#8217;s sword, severed demon&#8217;s head, official&#8217;s hat, small demon servant. <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Belonging to the divine and thereby withdrawn from everyday use.\" tabindex=\"0\">Sacred<\/span> animals: tiger (mount), bats (a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in place of an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span> of good fortune). Sacred plants: sweet flag (calamus, hung on the door at the Duanwu Jie). Sacred colours: red and black. Sacred number: 5 (5th day of the 5th month).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3lfi7x32 iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3lfi7x32\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0kg99ga1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0kg99ga1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui's Parallels<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-n0fum6kp elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"n0fum6kp\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Zh&#333;ng Ku&iacute;<\/em> (Japanese <em>Sh&#333;ki<\/em>, an adaptation of its own with a festival-eve protector function in Japan), <em>Pazuzu<\/em> (Mesopotamia, apotropaic protective demon), <em>Bes<\/em> (Egypt, ugly household-protection god), <em>Gorgoneion<\/em> (Greece, terrifying face as protection), <em>Vajrap&acirc;ni<\/em> (Buddhism, wrathful protection), <em>St. Michael<\/em> (Christian, demon-fighting archangel), <em>Bhairava<\/em> (Hinduism).<\/p><p>Functionally, all apotropaic threshold protectors with a dangerous appearance share aspects with Zhong Kui.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7533bc7a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7533bc7a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2447d18d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2447d18d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Protective Practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5d0260c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d5d0260c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-341be2ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"341be2ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Rituals for Defence<\/h3><p>The Zhong Kui defensive <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An ordered sequence of symbolic acts with religious or cultural meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">ritual<\/span> is strongly widespread in Chinese households; Zhong Kui images at house entrances serve to ward off <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demons<\/span>, especially in southern China (Guangdong, Fujian).<\/p><p>Daoist priests perform Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The ritual driving out of a spirit or demon understood as harmful.\" tabindex=\"0\">exorcism<\/span> ceremonies (Zhong Kui Qu E) to drive malevolent spirits out of houses. Historically attested: Tang dynasty (8th century), Emperor Ming documented a Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A linguistic ritual intended to summon or bind a power.\" tabindex=\"0\">conjuration<\/span> against pestilence.<\/p><h3>Conjurations and Invocations<\/h3><p>Daoist <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The ritual driving out of a spirit or demon understood as harmful.\" tabindex=\"0\">exorcism<\/span> <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sacred syllable or formula repeatedly spoken in Hinduism and Buddhism.\" tabindex=\"0\">mantra<\/span>: &#8220;\u937e\u9997\u6349\u9b3c&#8221; (Zhong Kui Zhua Gui, Zhong Kui, catch the spirits). Description from Tang literary texts: commands to evil spirits to fear Zhong Kui. A <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An object to which an effect of bringing about luck or success is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">talisman<\/span> with red ink and a Zhong Kui portrait, which is <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Belonging to a fixed religious sequence of actions.\" tabindex=\"0\">ritually<\/span> activated by a Daoist priest.<\/p><h3><span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A worn object to which a protective, misfortune-averting effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">Amulets<\/span> and Protective Symbols<\/h3><p>Zhong Kui prints (lithographed portraits) at the house entrance, especially during the Duan Wu festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month). Zhong Kui statues in <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A small sacred place of safekeeping or devotion.\" tabindex=\"0\">shrine<\/span> niches.<\/p><p>Archaeologically attested: Tang paintings in the British Museum (Zhong Kui with a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demon<\/span>), Ming-period wood carvings in Suzhou museums. Modern practices: Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A worn object to which a protective, evil-averting effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">amulet<\/span> papers (Fu) available at Daoist priest shops.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a584676 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5a584676\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d0757bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d0757bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui, Parallels in Other Cultures<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60563f68 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"60563f68\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a93fdd6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a93fdd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<footer class=\"iwg-literatur\"><p>Zhong Kui resembles the European Saint George (dragon slayer), the Mexican Xipe Totec (the Flayed Flayer, transformation through <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A gift to a deity in order to express thanks, a request or veneration.\" tabindex=\"0\">sacrifice<\/span>), and the Hindu Kali (demon hunter, wild appearance). In contrast to George (<span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Belonging to the divine and thereby withdrawn from everyday use.\" tabindex=\"0\">sacred<\/span>, male, European), Zhong Kui is not legitimised in monotheistic terms, but is wild and organic.<\/p><p>With Kali, Zhong Kui shares aesthetic ferocity as power. With Xipe Totec, the transformation of pain (execution) into power (demon hunting).<\/p><p>In the Japanese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the gods of a religion or culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">pantheon<\/span>, Susanoo has similar dragon-slayer qualities, but Zhong Kui is a pure demon-hunting specialist, not a multifunctional god. Unique is his organic popularity, not decreed by the state, but adopted by the people.<\/p><div data-nosnippet=\"true\" class=\"iwg-litliste\"><\/div><\/footer>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpe7ace4f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cpe7ace4f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp5bedb34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cp5bedb34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Legend of the Failed Scholar<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp73f1ac1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cp73f1ac1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp77e917c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cp77e917c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The best-known narrative about the origin of Zhong Kui connects him with the Tang emperor Xuanzong, who reigned in the eighth century.<\/p><p>According to this <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span>, the emperor fell ill with a fever and saw in a dream a small <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demon<\/span> stealing objects from him. A large, grim-looking man appeared, seized the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demon<\/span> and devoured it. When the emperor asked, the figure introduced himself as Zhong Kui.<\/p><p>In his account, Zhong Kui relates that in life he had been a scholar who had passed the imperial examination, but who had been denied his deserved rank because of his repellent appearance. Out of shame he had taken his own life.<\/p><p>In the afterlife, however, he had been granted an honourable burial, and out of gratitude he had vowed to rid the empire of evil spirits.<\/p><p>When the emperor awoke, his fever had vanished. He had the court painter Wu Daozi capture the dream image, and thus, it is said, the first portrait of Zhong Kui came into being.<\/p><p>Scholarship regards this <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span> as an aetiological narrative, that is, as a subsequent explanation for an already existing <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A handed-down action regularly repeated within a community.\" tabindex=\"0\">custom<\/span>. Sinological work has pointed out that the name Zhong Kui linguistically echoes an old word for a mallet or club made of peach wood, a traditional implement for warding off spirits.<\/p><p>It is therefore quite possible that a personified protective figure gradually emerged from a ritual object, and that the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span> of the failed scholar was added only later, in order to provide this figure with a life story.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp0a96cad e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cp0a96cad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpbcbf18a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cpbcbf18a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui in Painting and in the New Year Custom<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp415c399 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cp415c399\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp752a921 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cp752a921\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Zhong Kui is among the most frequently depicted protective figures of Chinese art. His image almost always shows a massive man with a thick beard, a furrowed face and a wrathful gaze, often in the attire of an official and with a sword.<\/p><p>He is frequently surrounded by small demons whom he subdues or who have become subservient to him. This <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The study of pictorial content and its meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">iconography<\/span> can be traced back to the Tang period and remained remarkably stable through the Song, Ming and Qing periods up to the present.<\/p><p>In the course of the year, Zhong Kui was originally associated with the New Year festival. Images of him were hung on doors and walls in order to keep the coming year free of harmful influences.<\/p><p>Over time, his principal veneration shifted to the Dragon Boat Festival in the fifth lunar month, a time associated in the Chinese calendar with illness and misfortune. During this period his images were regarded as a particularly effective protection against epidemics and evil spirits.<\/p><p>The genre of Zhong Kui painting developed its own subtypes over the centuries. There are stern, defensive depictions, but also humorous images, such as Zhong Kui travelling, at the wedding of his sister, or at play with the subjugated demons.<\/p><p>Important painters of the Ming and Qing periods took up the theme, and folk prints, which were affordable for broad classes, also spread his image. This range from learned ink painting to the simple woodcut shows how deeply Zhong Kui was rooted in all classes of <a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/china\/\">Chinese culture<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp8cefaaf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cp8cefaaf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp3f255cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cp3f255cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Zhong Kui in Opera, Theatre and Modern Reception<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp74c2d4a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cp74c2d4a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpf7e8134 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cpf7e8134\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Beyond painting, Zhong Kui found a firm place on the stage. In Chinese opera and in puppet theatre he is a popular figure, who usually appears with an elaborate, fear-inspiring mask or face painting.<\/p><p>Plays in which Zhong Kui subdues demons served not only for entertainment, but often had a ritual function of their own: a performance was regarded as a means of purifying a place.<\/p><p>Especially widespread is the scene of Zhong Kui marrying off his sister, accompanied by a retinue of subjugated demons.<\/p><p>This episode combines the dreadful with the comic and shows a characteristic peculiarity of the Zhong Kui <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The transmission of knowledge and narratives across generations.\" tabindex=\"0\">tradition<\/span>: the figure of terror is at the same time a character met with a certain sympathy and even cheerfulness. The ugly scholar, disadvantaged in life, becomes in death a powerful, yet also popularly approachable, protector.<\/p><p>In the present day, Zhong Kui lives on in film, television and comics, both in the People&#8217;s Republic of China and in Taiwan and in Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.<\/p><p>Modern film adaptations take up the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span> and place him as a demon hunter at the centre of adventure narratives. In doing so, the emphasis shifts from the ritual protective function toward action and the heroic image.<\/p><p>From the standpoint of <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The discipline that studies religions comparatively and without confessional commitment.\" tabindex=\"0\">religious studies<\/span>, however, it remains remarkable that the basic structure, the person wrongly rejected who becomes a benefactor after death, has been preserved through all the transformations of media. It connects today&#8217;s entertainment with the old notion of the just dead who intercede for the living.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpc15c307 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cpc15c307\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp60da64e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cp60da64e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Position in Chinese Folk Religion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpda618aa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cpda618aa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp5202400 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cp5202400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Within Chinese folk religion, Zhong Kui occupies a distinctive position. He is not a high god of the heavenly bureaucracy, as religious <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Chinese religious-philosophical tradition oriented toward the Dao, the Way.\" tabindex=\"0\">Daoism<\/span> knows it, nor a nature god.<\/p><p>He belongs to the broad class of deified human beings, that is, of historical or legendary persons who are venerated after their death as effective protective powers. His sphere of duties is clearly defined: the driving away of illness demons and harmful spirits.<\/p><p>Zhong Kui is frequently imagined as the leader of a host of spirit beings whom he once subdued and placed in his service.<\/p><p>This notion of the demon subduer who himself employs the subjugated powers for protection is attested several times in the religious history of East Asia. It allows the threatening not to be denied, but to be placed under an ordered supervision.<\/p><p>In comparison with protective figures of other cultures, a parallel emerges with figures such as the Buddhist gate guardian or the deified generals who likewise keep watch at thresholds and entrances. What distinguishes Zhong Kui is the close binding to the biography of a human being with a concrete injustice in his life story.<\/p><p>This injustice, the denial of the deserved rank because of his appearance, gives him a moral background: he is not only powerful, but also an <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A vivid image that stands for an abstract idea.\" tabindex=\"0\">emblem<\/span> of the fact that outward ugliness says nothing about the worth of a human being.<\/p><p>This message contributed substantially to his lasting popularity in all classes of the population. Those interested in related protective figures will find further examples in the field of the <a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/china\/\">Chinese tradition<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36dd7469 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"36dd7469\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13760ab4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13760ab4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Further Links<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28c87796 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"28c87796\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d6538df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d6538df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"\/en\/jade-emperor\/\">Yuhuang, the celestial ruler set above him<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/yanluo\/\">Yanluo, a related official of the dead<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/guan-yu\/\">Guan Yu, a related protective warrior<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/china\/\">China, pantheon overview<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/high-deities\/\">High deities, sub-category<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/gods\/\">Gods, class overview<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-grl4kl40 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"grl4kl40\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bzsbfrmh elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bzsbfrmh\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sources and Literature<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c13224a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2c13224a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eymh9ub elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0eymh9ub\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<footer class=\"iwg-literatur\" data-nosnippet=\"true\"><ul><li><span data-nosnippet>Bordahl, Vibeke: <em>The Eternal Storyteller. Oral Literature in Modern China<\/em>. London 1999.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-nosnippet>Cahill, James: <em>Chinese Painting<\/em>. New York 1985.<\/span><\/li><li>Walde, Christine (ed.): <em>Der Neue Pauly<\/em> (entry &#8220;Zhong Kui&#8221;).<\/li><\/ul><\/footer>\n<p class=\"iwg-bib-more\"><span data-nosnippet>Further standard works in the <a href=\"\/en\/literature\/\">literature index<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06850e1 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"06850e1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f73039 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9f73039\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Frequently Asked Questions about Zhong Kui<\/h2><div class=\"iwg-faq-q\"><h3>Who is Zhong Kui in Chinese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the transmitted tales of the gods of a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>?<\/h3><p>In Chinese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the transmitted tales of the gods of a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>, Zhong Kui is the subduer of demons and spirits. According to <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span>, he was a highly gifted scholar who was denied the top rank in the imperial civil-service examination because of his repulsive appearance.<\/p><p>In despair he took his own life. In the afterlife he was appointed king of the spirits and entrusted with the task of hunting and subduing evil demons. He is depicted with a wild beard, a menacing gaze, a scholar&#8217;s robe and a sword.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"iwg-faq-q\"><h3>How is Zhong Kui used in <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the handed-down customs of a community.\" tabindex=\"0\">folk custom<\/span>?<\/h3><p>Zhong Kui is one of the most popular protective figures of Chinese folk religion. Images of him are placed on doors and walls in order to guard the house against evil spirits and misfortune.<\/p><p>His image is especially widespread at the time of the Dragon Boat Festival in the fifth lunar month, traditionally regarded as a dangerous time during which harmful influences must be warded off. Zhong Kui is moreover a frequent <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A recurring element of content in art or narrative.\" tabindex=\"0\">motif<\/span> of Chinese painting, often depicted humorously, for instance at the wedding of his sister.<\/p><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Who is Zhong Kui in Chinese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the transmitted tales of the gods of a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In Chinese <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the transmitted tales of the gods of a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>, Zhong Kui is the subduer of demons and spirits. According to <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An edifying narrative, usually about the lives of saints.\" tabindex=\"0\">legend<\/span>, he was a highly gifted scholar who was denied the top rank in the imperial civil-service examination because of his repulsive appearance. In despair he took his own life. In the afterlife he was appointed king of the spirits and entrusted with the task of hunting and subduing evil demons. He is depicted with a wild beard, a menacing gaze, a scholar's robe and a sword.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How is Zhong Kui used in folk custom?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Zhong Kui is one of the most popular protective figures of Chinese folk religion. Images of him are placed on doors and walls in order to guard the house against evil spirits and misfortune. His image is especially widespread at the time of the Dragon Boat Festival in the fifth lunar month, traditionally regarded as a dangerous time during which harmful influences must be warded off. Zhong Kui is moreover a frequent <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A recurring element of content in art or narrative.\" tabindex=\"0\">motif<\/span> of Chinese painting, often depicted humorously, for instance at the wedding of his sister.\"}}]}<\/script>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zhong Kui, God of the Chinese Tradition Zhong Kui is a god of the Chinese tradition. The demon hunter, terror of evil spirits, protector of the night. Zhong Kui is one of the most popular protective deities of China, not by imperial commission, but through popular recognition of his power against evil spirits (*yao* and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5301,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Zhong Kui","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Zhong Kui: China's Demon Hunter | iWell Guard","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Door protection against evil spirits, portraits for the New Year festival and the hunt for demons in the Chinese folk tradition.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_angie_page":false,"gefaehrdungsstufe":"","wesen_kultur":"","wesen_klasse":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[112,79,86],"class_list":["post-5300","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-china","category-cultures","category-gods"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with 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