Debate is on whether he really existed or not, but one thing is clear that he has a lasting influence on the mind of the Chinese people. The story of Zhong Kui began in the eighth century during the Tang dynasty (618–907). The story of Zhong Kui not only offers a source of protection against evil, but also of inspiration. While disappointment and frustration may be overwhelming believers can hope that they, like Zhong Kui, will someday have a change in fortune. Both versions of the legend agree that Zhong Kui’s spirit then returned home to celebrate the New Year. He was charged with controlling them and capturing any who threatened the world of the living. Unlike the emperor, Yan saw potential in Zhong Kui. The comic climax to this spectacle is Zhong Kui himself—stone drunk and propped atop a small donkey by three retainers while his sister sits helplessly astride a recalcitrant water buffalo. Xuan Guan Shang Di and Guan Di are the other two Deities. In the Tang Dynasty, another door god named Zhong Kui, an excellent ghost catcher, became popular. In his book, Gaiyu Congkao (陔餘叢考) Zhao Yi (趙翼) says that the legend started because of the Zhong Kui flower (終葵). When the emperor recovered, he described the scene to the court painter, Wu Daozi (吳道子). Zhong Kui was given dominion over all ghosts. He then became a ghost hunter. The story picks up again in the Song Dynasty text “Bu Mengqi Bitan” (補夢溪筆談) by Shen Kuo (沈括). In both countries, he is one of the deities painted on doors of businesses, temples, and homes to provide protection. The oldest known image of Shōki dates back to the reign of the Japanese Emperor Goshirakawa (1127-1192). According to legend, he is himself a ghost who died by suicide after he was unjustly dishonored by the emperor. Zhong Kui (鍾馗) is a legendary Daoist demon hunter. And Du Ping helped Zhong Kui generously and gave him a … He wonders who at the university would be powerful enough to host something like this and tells Ouyang Kai that the school is … Most images of Zhong Kui we see today are based on Wu Daozi’s depiction. Sell custom creations to people who love your style. At this point, there are different versions of what happened next: In the first version of the legend, Zhong Kui went to the underworld where he came before King Yama, the king of hell. Nov 24, 2018 - Zhong Kui (Chinese: 鍾馗) is the vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings. It is painted with enamel on porcelain, and the base has the reign mark of the Daoguang Emperor who ruled … Ask the community. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. In Kyoto city, some people still hang Zhong Kui’s image on the eaves and rooftops of their homes. The ghost stole a purse that belonged to the emperor’s favorite concubine and the emperor’s jade flute. The imperial examinations were required of all men who sought to earn a position in the government. A Zhong Kui painting work by Zhao Ji, an artist from Lingbi county, Anhui province, on display. Businesses in China and other parts of Asia specifically hope that Zhong Kui will protect locations that have highly valued goods. As a young man, Zhong Kui traveled to Chang’an (modern day Xi’an) with his friend Du Ping (杜平) to sit the imperial civil service exam. The story of Zhong Kui, however, showed that exam results were often not the only factor in career success. Find out what other deviants think - about anything at all. Zhong Kui received the highest score on the exam, earning him the rank of Zhuang Yuan, which guaranteed fame and fortune. This would be their only opportunity to earn positions that would put them close to the seat of power. Storyline "The Legend of Zhong Kui " is compose by the four independent legend stories, they are "Xiang Yao Sha Hu Zhen", "Gong Zhu San Shi Qing", "Chu Mo Wu Qing Zhan" and "Tian Shi Ye You Heng". In Taoism, Zhong Kui was a man who desired to be the emperor's personal physician. Wen Tian Lu 问天录 is a Chinese drama that follows a young Zhong Kui as he bands together with friends to form a three-man team dedicated to catching demons. The Painting of Zhong Kui Catching a Ghost, very popular among the folk people, comes from a story recorded in The Book of Unofficial History. As it happens to be the day commemorating the ghost festival, the owner of the wine house and his workers are anxious to get home. Zhong Kui achieved top honors in the exams, but was stopped from taking the title earned after the emperor saw how truly ugly Zhong Kui was. In the second version of the legend, when the emperor learned of Zhong Kui’s suicide, he was filled with shame. This was also a position of military leadership. Knowing his story is an important part of understanding Chinese culture. Instead, he was stripped of all honors because of his unsightly appearance—he had a square face, fish-like eyes, and unkempt hair. Zhong Kui - The God that catches Ghost This folktale tells the story of an ordinary scholar turns into a vanquisher of ghost and evil beings. Plot Summary | Add Synopsis One day, he is again in a wine house drowning his frustration in drink. He became a well-known figure in Japan, as well. He also protects those who are not held in high esteem in some areas of their lives. Zhong Kui is a character in many Chinese operas, TV shows, movies, and video games. Because he returned to be with his family then, it is believed that he may make special trips to Earth on holidays to offer protection for the coming year. Zhong Kui however was cast out of the heavens and denied the chance to be a deity when the emperor saw how ugly his appearance. Zhong Kui was elevated to a position of power and leadership after his death. Read Exorcist Zhong Kui for free. Zhong Kui appeared before King Yan, the ruler and judge of the dead. Zhong Kui was an unattractive man with a scarred and disfigured face. Synopsis The story of Chinese legendary anti-hero Zhong Kui, a young man endowed with mysterious powers who is forced into a battle among the realms of Heaven, Earth and Hell in the course of his attempt to save his countrymen and the woman he loves. Zhong Kui is still revered as a protective deity in both China and Japan. character from Chinese mythology, Zhong Kui (鍾馗), was also an outstanding scholar, with a disfigured appearance, who was unfairly denied examination honors by the Emperor, who commits suicide, and who then again makes his appearance as a powerful vanquisher of ghosts and demons. Cast aside by the emperor in spite of his excellent scores, Zhong Kui was so furious and frustrated that he killed himself at the palace gates. In Imperial China, a man’s fortunes could be made or lost based on the result of one test. The painting on this bottle is a common Chinese theme. Despite exceling in the imperial exams, the emperor of China refused to grant Zhong Kui the position of physician because of his appearance. In the first version of the legend, Zhong Kui went to the underworld where he came before King Yama, the king of hell. While lying in bed, he saw a ghost enter his room. Besides figures paintings, he also excelled at painting birds and plants.Ren Yi was fond of depicting immortals and legendary figures such as Zhong Kui. In the old days, the picture of Zhong Kui was ted on the walls of almost all Chinese homes. He was a very Zhong Kui received the highest score on the exam, earning him the rank of Zhuang Yuan, which guaranteed fame and fortune. The story of Zhong Kui also serves as an inspiration to those who do not have access to the highest rungs of the social ladder. Both versions of the legend agree that Zhong Kui’s spirit then returned home to celebrate the New Year. A good score could open up new opportunities for any intelligent man. Zhong Kui was born in the Zhongnan Mountain area in the early Tang Dynasty. His legend began in the Tang Dynatry, and by the Song Dynasty he had been adopted into the Daoist pantheon. He was stripped of his accomplishments and rejected for a place at court, however, because he was not attractive. Zhong Yui died trying to get back into the heavens upon his death Zhong Yui went to the underworld world. He excelled in all areas of study and rightfully earned the title of top scorer, beating out every other young man who took that year’s exams. He ordered Zhong Kui to be buried in official’s robes and awarded him the Zhuang Yuan title posthumously. Zhong Kui was devastated and committed suicide by bashing his head on the palace steps over and over. He returned to Earth once more, on New Year’s Day, to visit his family and thank his friend. In anger, Zhong Kui threw himself against the palace gates until he broke his skull. When he was judged, however, this fate was changed. His image is often found on household gates because it is believed that he possessed the power to repel evil and protect the people. There, his name is Shoki but his shameful death and elevation to power in the underworld remain unchanged. He recognized that he was exceptionally intelligent and had a vast knowledge of the law. But Zhong Kui, who is drunk, refuses to leave. Finally they find out that someone is trying to set up an this kind of array in the capital. In pursuit of his real identity, he crosses paths with Yang Ren Zhi and Ling Xi who join in his travel to become faithful allies. Zhong Kui is said to be himself the ghost of a man who failed to pass the civil service examinations and committed suicide. These exams set the course of a man’s career in the imperial government. King Yama recognized Zhong Kui’s potential and named him “King of Ghosts”, charging him to hunt and capture evil spirits. 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. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Zhong Kui’s myth can therefore be seen as a source of inspiration and comfort in times of struggle. The story goes like that: one Chinshih went to the capital to take part in an examination. He could send those after spirits who broke the laws of the underworld and they would do his bidding without question. This should have earned him eternal punishment, but a more powerful ruler would soon see his potential. His image is painted on doors to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. 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