Door God Print

Item number Edz987 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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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.