Door God Print Item Number: Edz987 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Pair of rectangular papers, each printed in black outline with a civil door god (wen menshen; 文門神) in red, yellow and green. Background and faces are orange. White paper left uncoloured in some areas. Figure on part (a) is a male door god, 'Number One Scholar' (状元及第; the title given to a scholar who achieves first place in the imperial exam). He has his right hand raised and holds a jade belt with his left hand. The figure in part b is female, known as goddess/immortal bringing sons (天仙送子); she holds a fly whisk in her left hand, her right holds a baby. The name of the printing shop 保記 (bou2 gei3/ Bǎo jì) appears on the hanging ornament on the scholar, and on the headdress of the goddess. Both are 45 cm high, and would normally be shown facing each other.
History Of Use
Known as menshen (門神, door gods), they are considered to protect homes from evil spirits. This type of civil door gods would be displayed on the inner doors of the home, as a prayer that the newlyweds would have a child early, and the child would be number one in school. Civil door gods would be displayed on the inner doors of the home.
Iconographic Meaning
Wen menshen 文門神 (Civil Door Gods). The pair is called 状元及第 天仙送子, Number One Scholar (the title given to a scholar who achieves first place in the imperial exam) and goddess/immortal bringing sons.
Item History
- Made in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China before 1976
- Collected between 1967 and 1976
- Owned by Graham E. Johnson before March 9, 1977
- Received from Graham E. Johnson (Donor) on March 9, 1977
What
- Name
- Door God Print
- Identification Number
- Edz987 a-b
- Type of Item
- Manufacturing Technique
- machine made ?, woodblock printed and stencilled
- Overall
- height 53.5 cm, width 30.6 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Graham E. Johnson
- Received from
- Graham E. Johnson (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1976
- Collection Date
- between 1967 and 1976
- Ownership Date
- before March 9, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on March 9, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- works on paper
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0366/0014