Zhong Kui  

 

Zhong Kui ( 鍾馗) is  worshipped as  a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings by the Chinese.  According to folklore,  Zhong Kui and a friend Du Ping (杜平), took part in the imperial examinations at the capital.  He came in top but  was disqualified by the emperor because of his ugly  appearance.   In anger, he  committed suicide by  hurling himself against the pillar in the court.   Subsequently, he became king of ghosts in Hell.    It is said that  on one occasion Tang  Emperor Xuanzong became gravely ill.  In a dream, he saw a ghost stealing his flute and a purse from his imperial consort Yang Guifei.  A ghost who wore the the hat of an official, appeared and captured the thief, tore out his eye and ate it. He introduced himself as Zhong Kui and proclaimed that he had vowed to rid the empire of all evil.  When the emperor awoke, he narrated what he saw to his officials.  He also ordered the court painter Wu Daozi (吴道子) to paint an image of Zhong Kui and decreed that copies be hung all over the country every New Year's Eve to exorcise demons and evil spirits.  This image of Zhong kui became the one typically seen nowadays.


 On another occasion he return to his hometown and arrange for his sister to marry his good friend Du Ping.   This episode was popularly enacted in many dramas and a common subject on paintings.   Other common designs include Zhong Kui catching ghosts and in the company of some ghost attendants.

 

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