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History Of Use

Known as menshen (门神, door gods), they are considered to protect homes from evil spirits. Prints depicting them are usually displayed on the door inside and outside the house during the Chinese Spring Festival (春节) or Lunar New Year. Such prints are thus known as nianhua (年画, new year pictures). Military door gods would be displayed on the external doors of the home.

Description

Two rectangular papers (part a-b) depicting military door gods (wu menshen; 武门神), named Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong (秦琼 尉迟恭). Each wears a yellow, red and green elaborately layered outfit that consists of wing-like projections from his back, a headdress, and boots. Part a depicts Yuchi Gong (尉迟恭) who is shown holding a brown guandao pole weapon with a green blade top in his right hand; in the left hand he holds a bow behind his back. Part b depicts Qin Qiong (秦琼), who is shown holding a brown guandao pole weapon, with a green blade on top, in his left hand; in his right hand he holds a sword behind his back. Bright red background.

Iconographic Meaning

Wu menshen 武门神 (Military Door Gods). Military door god Qin Qiong (秦琼) is often paired with another door god Yuchi Gong (尉迟恭). They are the generals of the Tang Dynasty emperor Tang Taizong (唐太宗). These generals are popular representations for military door gods, and their looks are usually contrasting. Yuchi Gong (尉迟恭), who usually appears on the left side, looks fierce, as compared to Qin Qiong (秦琼), who usually appears on the right side. They face each other to prevent spirits from passing through the doors. Nianhua (年画, new year pictures) are usually printed on plain backgrounds.