The mythological figure of Zhong Kui, the vanquisher of demons and ghosts, is often depicted in traditional paintings. He was originally a ghost who was dishonoured by the emperor, but later became a deity as a king of ghosts and a vanquisher of demons.
Zhong Kui
Legend has it that the Chinese deity Zhong Kui was a ghost hunter who was cast aside by the emperor. Dissatisfied with this situation, Zhong Kui committed suicide at the palace gates. This should have earned him eternal punishment. However, a better ruler recognized his potential and elevated him to a position of power in the underworld. This powerful deity had command of eighty thousand ghosts.
Despite this legend, Zhong Kui’s popularity spread beyond China. In Japan, he became widely known as the “shoki” or “demon vanquisher”. Many people in both countries place images of Zhong Kui on their doors to keep evil spirits away. In addition to protecting valuable goods, these painted figures also have a protective effect on men.
The legend of Zhong Kui goes back over the history of Chinese mythology. This Chinese deity is famous for defeating demons. During the imperial period, men had to pass exams to advance their career. These exams tested the knowledge of law, mathematics, culture, and religion. Those with good scores would receive a higher position than those with bad grades. However, Zhong Kui was a great example that exams weren’t the only criteria for career success.
Zhong Kui’s life story was not without tragedy. The young Zhong Kui was dissatisfied with his studies. He hurled himself against the palace gate until his head snapped. Later, he was banished to the underworld as the King of Ghosts. The legend of Zhong Kui is said to be the inspiration for many.
Shoki zu
Chinese mythology has long attributed supernatural powers to the deity Shoki zu. He is depicted as a portly bewhiskered man with a long beard and fierce, bulging eyes, wearing a thick hat and bearing a long, broad sword. His name means “demon-slayer”, and the demons fear him. However, once he vanquishes them, they become his servants, and he can command as many as 80,000 demons.
Shoki’s origins lie in the Chinese folk religion. In the ancient Chinese era, he was one of three Lords of Demon-Subduer, along with Xuan Tian Shang Di and Guan Sheng Di Jun. His story is known as The Dance of Zhong Kui, and it was first performed by the emperor Xuanzong (685-762). It is said that the emperor rejected Shoki because of his ugliness and ultimately committed suicide. However, there are other versions of the story.
Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and the Japanese absorbed Chinese culture and beliefs. The Shoki story was also imported to Japan. In Japan, families hung banners with images of Shoki during the Boys’ Day festival, which takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The images of Shoki were believed to ward off evil spirits.
Shoki is believed to have first appeared during the early T’ang dynasty. He had a dream of working at the imperial palace, but because of his ugliness, he was rejected from the position. After learning of this, his spirit returned to the earth and became canonized as Shoki the Great Spiritual Chaser of Demons.
Exorcists scroll
The Chinese deity Shoki, or Zhong Kui, is associated with exorcism, or the banishment, of demons. His main role was to protect the human race from demons. He was a four-direction-seeing deity who wore a bearskin with four golden eyes and carried a shield. His primary duties were to orchestrate the Nuo ritual and chase away disease-causing demons. He would also lead the funeral procession to expel harmful spirits.
The exorcism ritual was once a ritual performed by rulers to control demons and spirits. The deities had a duty to expel demons and other spirits at the end of each year. In some areas, exorcists were required to carry out this ritual.
The exorcist’s ritual was very orderly, and was meant to demonstrate strength against the chaos that demons can cause. Typically, the exorcism process involved calling out the spirit, defeating it, and making it leave. Exorcisms were typically performed during thunderstorms.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the exorcism of a person with demons is regulated by canon law. The process is complex, and the rite is administered by a priest or bishop, who is authorized to perform the ceremony.
Legendary folk hero
The Chinese legends tell of Zhong Kui, a folk hero who was a great vanquisher of demons and ghosts. After being disgraced by the emperor, he committed suicide and was granted supernatural powers in the afterlife. He then threw himself at the gates of the imperial palace, breaking his skull. This incident made Zhong Kui famous, and he was rewarded with a mandate from the king of Hell to protect the emperor and all mankind.
The legend of Zhong Kui spread throughout Asia. He was revered in China and Japan as a powerful protector and a vanquisher of demons. He is also associated with wealth and economic power, and Japanese people painted his image on their doors as a form of protection.
While many Chinese myths and legends center on Zhong Kui, he isn’t the only demon in Chinese mythology. There are also yao goblins, jing spirits, and mei demons. These otherworldly spirits are often symbolic representations of real-world ills and disasters and often act as commentary on the corrupting nature of society. As such, the protection of humans from evil spirits is a concern at every level of society.
