Door God Print

Item number 806/10 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Two rectangular prints (parts a-b) each depicting a civil door god (wen menshen;文門神), shown in opposite colours and positions. Both are wearing an elaborate headdress. Part a depicts a man in a mostly red robe, with green and yellow parts. He holds a flat oval shaped scepter, known as huban (笏板) in his right hand, and an orange ritual wine vessel known as jue (爵) in his left hand. He is facing to his left (viewer's right). Part b depicts a man in a mostly green robe, with red and yellow parts. He holds a flat oval shaped scepter, known as huban (笏板) in his left hand, and an orange ritual wine vessel known as jue (爵) in his right hand. He is facing to his right (viewer's left).

History Of Use

Known as menshen (門神, 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 (春節) or Lunar New Year. Such prints are thus known as nianhua (年画, new year pictures). Civil door gods would be displayed on the inner doors of the home.