Zhong Kui. Zhong Kui is a deity in Chinese mythology.
Traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings, and reputedly able to command 80,000 demons, his image is often painted on household gates as a guardian spirit, as well as in places of business where high-value goods are involved. According to folklore, Zhong Kui travelled with a friend from his hometown, Du Ping, to take part in the state-wide Imperial Examinations held in the capital city.
Though Zhong Kui attained great academic success through his achievement of top-honours in the major exams, his rightful title of Zhuangyuan was stripped away from him by the emperor because of his disfigured and ugly appearance. In anger and fury, Zhong Kui committed suicide upon the palace steps by continually hurtling himself against the palace gates until his head was broken, whereupon Du Ping had him buried and laid to rest.
During a divine judgment after his death from suicide, Yama saw much potential in Zhong Kui, who was intelligent and smart enough to score top honours in the Imperial Examinations but who was also condemned to Hell because he committed the grave sin of suicide. Yama then gave him a title, as the king of ghosts, and tasked him to hunt, capture, take charge of and maintain discipline and order of all ghosts.
After Zhong Kui became the king of ghosts in Hell, he returned to his hometown on Chinese New Year's
Traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings, and reputedly able to command 80,000 demons, his image is often painted on household gates as a guardian spirit, as well as in places of business where high-value goods are involved. According to folklore, Zhong Kui travelled with a friend from his hometown, Du Ping, to take part in the state-wide Imperial Examinations held in the capital city.
Though Zhong Kui attained great academic success through his achievement of top-honours in the major exams, his rightful title of Zhuangyuan was stripped away from him by the emperor because of his disfigured and ugly appearance. In anger and fury, Zhong Kui committed suicide upon the palace steps by continually hurtling himself against the palace gates until his head was broken, whereupon Du Ping had him buried and laid to rest.
During a divine judgment after his death from suicide, Yama saw much potential in Zhong Kui, who was intelligent and smart enough to score top honours in the Imperial Examinations but who was also condemned to Hell because he committed the grave sin of suicide. Yama then gave him a title, as the king of ghosts, and tasked him to hunt, capture, take charge of and maintain discipline and order of all ghosts.
After Zhong Kui became the king of ghosts in Hell, he returned to his hometown on Chinese New Year's
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